Re:Now this jimny I can enjoy

A careful look at the video makes me think that the portal axle casings are die cast alloy. The use of steel bracings and the ease in which the technician hefted them into place would also suggest that this is the case.

Whilst on this case and with the low service life of kingpin bearings a problem area for this type of conversion, are the standard kingpin taper roller bearings normal or heavy duty? Also has anyone come up with a conversion using an oilite bearing? Such kits are available from the States for LandCruisers.

Roger

Yes and no. The company is Trail-Gear and the product is a "Trunnion Bearing Eliminator Kit". Instead of a taper roller or railko bearing it uses a cone in a cup system made from hardened high carbon steel that is machined with grease grooves and zerk fittings for lubrication. They don't mention how often you pump grease in but it will come down to how often you feel it needs it. Current price is $400 which is way to much which would make me consider heavy duty taper roller bearings in stainless steel. A friend runs his own bearing shop and told me that they may be available but to expect a 25% reduction in load capacity. These would eliminate corrosion but the reduced load capacity would increase the brinelling effect.

Roger

On top of the hub housing on the LC there was a tapered threaded hole blanked off with a suitable plug. I never inquired what it was for but used it to inject EP oil into the housing to try and lengthen the life of the kingpin bearings. It didn't work very well, the oil leaked out and water leaked in. I then considered removing the rollers and substituting an oilite bearing but never got round to doing it. I think the army had the right idea when it specified a boot to enclose the ball of the hub to stop water getting
in. It would have worked even better if it was made of neoprene or similar.

Roger