[18' Axles *DO* Fail - Replace Yours ASAP]

I assume that Toyota was selling new trucks to RV makers knowing they were not really suited for the job. Whether or not Toyota knew about, authorized, ignored, "fake duallies", the company was obviously partly responsible for their existence. I assume that's why they participated in furnishing new axles to RV owners and later pulled out of the market.

GM went through similar problems with the Blazer Chalet and GMC Casa Grande. They both could be easily loaded beyond 6000 pounds and only had 10 or 12 bolt "1/2 ton" axles in them. They have durabilty equal to what Toyota semi-floaters have. GM agreed to stop allowing any RV bodies on any Blazers or Jimmys and to install warning sticker stating such. I swapped a 14 bolt, 9.5" semi-floater into mine. Not as good as a full-floater but good enough with a 6000 lb. max load rating.

I'd like to know more about this axle you installed, is it posted?

[18' Axles *DO* Fail - Replace Yours ASAP]

I happen to have the "death axle" now n definitely glad the OP safely handled the failure, with all the talk about bearings and single wheel options I think theres got to be an argument now for upgrading the stock wheel setup altogether. Now I understand the rest of this post is entirely spiculation ( La raza jue!), but say for instance a staggered wheel setup akin to a mild 16x8 with perhaps a 215 65-75r16 all terrain truck tire in front ( upgraded front torsion of course) and a deep dishish 60-40 rear offset 16x10 with matching 285 60-65r16 all terrains in back on a flipped axle (underleaf). Not to mention fresh bearings all around and upgraded shocks. The stock amount of rubber these toys put on the road is so minimal I'm now just as scared to take a wet turn as lose a bearing. I'd like to hear more of this 4x4 front bearing mod and input from the lucky 4x4 owners who've discarded their POS 14x5s. Maybe I watch too much Top Gear, or maybe I never left anything "stock", ever... Eventually I plan to 4x4 convert mine, 6" inch lift, AT truck tires and my sportbike sittin sideways on back. I'll take photos and post in Projects for step by step. My odo says 84k and aint fall apart yet, I aim to keep it that way til a FF shows up. As for now I got shox in boxes n work to do... Hit me up, D.

[What's your rig and where's it at?]

82 Dolphin 21RD, San Diego. Just bought last week for 2300, newish remodel, new roof, solar panel, sat dish, runs but needs a rebuild- engine shakes violently at idle, apparently 1/2 compression on cyls 1 & 3 and needs carb work. Ordering a piston, rings and bearings kit from ebay this week ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/270560650140?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 ) 119.00, and a gasket set for the top end, needs an alignment and will be replacing the rear shocks with Gabriel Hijackers to compensate for the weight of my Yammy YZF600R that'll be riding on a custom fab mcy hitch hauler mounted directly to the frame, which means I'll likely sell it's tow hitch soon ( Reese type 3). Unfortunately it does have the 5 lug fooly and I'll be searching for an FF axle set next week while rebuilding the motor next week in TJ ( 1 tons are everywhere over there and you cant beat the prices for parts and labor). Would really love to give it a 3" lift with a 4x4 conversion and offroad tires/ rims eventually for slow dirt driving in baja. I'll start posting pics soon and I'm happy to link up with any1 in my area to brainstorm or just parking lot pimpin'. Wish me n my axle luck!