Jensen Healey Axle

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philip creighton

Well-known member
Does anybody know what the Toyota 4WD axle that was allowed for the JH comes from. We just restored one and 200+ HP through the stock (locked) diff was too much for it - snapped the pinion shaft it appears. I have another stock diff setup but the pinion shaft is very small and looks like it won't last long.
From my days on the CRB I remember a JH owner lobbying for the Toyota axle by showing a line of broken pinions to us. Can't remember what it was from however.
Phil
 
all of the Toyota P/U's up to the mid 90's used the same 8" third member. It was available with a stronger casting when the V6 came out. There are 3 different axle widths to from various years. Basically up to 84, 84-90ish, 90 ish plus.
 
heres a quicky I found.
Toyota has provided 4 differential types in pickups and 4Runners -- the 8" standard, the 7.5", the 8" V6/Turbo, and a new one in the Tacoma and third-generation (96+) 4Runners.

The most common is the 8" standard. It is used in the rear axle on '79-95 (96?) 4WD trucks and 4Runners, and 3/4 and 1 ton 2WD pickups, and it is also used in the front axle on 79-85 (solid beam) pickups and 4Runners.

The 8" V6/Turbo axle is found in some turbo and V6 models, and is a little beefier. It is a 4-pinion design, whereas the regular 8" is a 2-pinion design. Many V6's had 2-pinion cases too.

The 7.5" differential is used in the front of IFS trucks ('86 and later). It is also used as the rear differential on some 2WD trucks.

The 8-inch Toyota axles are strong and utilize a third-member setup, much like the 9-inch Ford. This means the 'guts' of the axle can be easily removed for servicing or gear and differential carrier changes. It also means that its easy and fairly cheap to buy and ship third members from differential specialists.

I don't know much yet about the Tacoma/96+ 4Runner differential. There is a factory option for a manually-operated locker. If you buy a new Tacoma or 4Runner, Get this option; it will improve your off-road ability tremendously.
Click to expand...

From my foggy memory...50 or 52 - 54" and 56 or maybe it's 58"
 
Phil.

Joe Huffaker restored a vintage JH with that axle I have seen at several vintage events if you happen to know him.

Best bet would be SM racer Tom Kraft from DesMoine, IA who still has the Toyota axle fitted JH he used to race in his shop and who was very helpful when I had questions a few years back.

Good Luck-neat car
 
Having owned a Jensen Healey for many years and Autocrossed one, they are still very dear to me. Are you building one for Vintage, Production, or Street? I don't know if you have seen the ex Huffaker car that Kraft has, but it is beautiful. If you have more info. on JH please PM me.
#48 Mike
 
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