Alternative to IWE and F150 Unit Bearing

[Jarrett H]

The preferred direction for strength, cost, and maintenance in the long run might be with a serviceable fixed spindle design. Unit bearings can't be serviced and when most designs fail, the truck isn't drivable. Although, the f450 unit bearing is SUPER popular because it is very strong, allows for a manual locking hub to increase drivetrain longevity, but also because the internal spindle is bolted together. So when things start to break, your wheel shouldn't pop off. You can also have a spare sitting in your truck if one happens to fail, you can replace it on the side of a trail or at Pismo.

Haynes, I know you are looking at different options so you'll probably like this. So with a fixed spindle style assembly, when the bearing starts wearing out, we can have a spare set of inexpensive bearings sitting at home that can be repacked and replaced at home or in a shop. This style would be bounds a leaps stronger than the f150 unit bearing and would allow for manual locking hubs.

The aftermarket spindle snouts are also forged and heat treated(mucho strong). Alright, so wait for it.....the icing on the cake is that there are a handful of companies out there that make fixed spindle conversions. They literally supply a forged snout that bolts on a factory upright in the stock location. That means you can remove the 4 bolts on the factory bearing, bolt this hub on, and maintain almost identical track width. No more IWE, increased strength, and manual locking hubs. Check it out.

 

[sabumaru]

can you explain some more about how it then Locks / Unlocks ?

 

[Dan06]

I'm all about the F450 parts or similar because I could grab replacement parts from any dealer if need be. Plus all those other awesome points you made. Just my thoughts.

 

[Jarrett H]

can you explain some more about how it then Locks / Unlocks ?

The 1ton F450 style bearing would bolt on to the upright(knuckle) just like any other vehicle, and the center section is hollow. A CV shaft(35 spline) would come through and then a selectable manual hub would transfer the power from the inner part to the outer. You can also have a constant drive setup where it just has a drive gear.

This fits into the bearing and the CV sides into this. It is really easy to assemble.



For the fixed spindle design like the Spyntec photo i posted, a hub with an inner and outer bearing is slid over the snout with a rotor. Look at the image of the tacoma on the first page.

I'm all about the F450 parts or similar because I could grab replacement parts from any dealer if need be. Plus all those other awesome points you made. Just my thoughts.

You can actually find 1 ton F450 bearings for $150-200, but they have to be machined down for a smaller bolt pattern. Thats all the other manufactures do for the 6x5.5 bolt pattern. Look at that image above of the bearing, you can clearly see the notches from the old 8 lug bolt pattern. Thats why they charge on average around $400 for the new pattern bearings. I have seen a 6x5.5 go for as low as $275 though. If you were going to just order F450 bearings, you should be able to just have them machined and re drilled for 6x135(raptor pattern) if there is enough clearance between the studs and center bore. 6x5.5=6x139 so they might only offer that because it is the smallest size that will safely work.


---------- Post added at 10:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:20 AM ----------

Forgot to mention that RPG ran a heavy duty Unit bearing on their luxury raptor. And if i remember correctly, it was Stewart Raceworks that did the front setup. It was a constant drive setup and it looked very similar to the one that Currie offers.

Currie Enterprises Racing Rear End Categories

 

[PropDr]

Do you know the hub diameter after machining; likely the Raptor wheels would have to be machined also to fit over the hubs.

 

[Jarrett H]

I couldn't tell you the outer hub diameter, but having a rotor or rotor hat fit over it shouldn't be a problem. It looks like the F450 unit bearing is equivalent to a dana 60, so that would be your center bore wheel diameter.

Spidertrax's unit bearing looks pretty nice for a few reasons, but I like the fact that they offer LH or RH threaded nuts to secure the bearing together, and that they are serviceable. It would take some extreme abuse to destroy the 1 ton bearing, but if that ever happened you could install new repacked bearings. I don't know if you can place a manual locking hub on them though. $499

Spidertrax Ultimate Unit Bearing (6 on 5-1/2" x LH)

They are also only 2 inches from the upright mounting service to WMS.





Here is an f450 bearing with a 6x5.5 pattern. It has a constant drive spidertrax drive flange. You could run a manual locking hub instead. For those that don't know, the 6x5.5 bolt pattern is what lots of vehicles run including 1500 silverados.

 

[Dan06]

Lol I'm ready to order, so when you gonna have the kinks worked out and someone talked into making us something? I'll take the locking hubs (so I can disengage them) and the raptor bolt pattern (so I can just punch out the Methods centers). Got a feeling it'd make my rig wide as a barn door added to its current setup. The glassworks +4 fenders would be cutting it close.

Serious note: But even more importantly, how much would a Raptor sized bearing housing/plate need to be machined to fit the oversized bearing? Making sure it's feasible with what I've got going on. Need some measurements I guess.

 

[Jarrett H]

I wouldn't waste the time to do it to a stock upright. It honestly looks like its possible, but the stock uprights are very weak and prone to damage even with a gusset. So you would get the manual locking function, but you aren't gaining any strength. The upright should actually be weaker with the less material.

For someone that just wants the manual locking function, mess with your vacuums lines. For the people that are going with a LT kit or just want a stronger fabricated upright with stock dimensions, the F450 unit is the way to go.

Not very beefy:

Readylift fabricated:

F450 Bearing housing:

 

[Dan06]

I wouldn't waste the time to do it to a stock upright. It honestly looks like its possible, but the stock uprights are very weak and prone to damage even with a gusset. So you would get the manual locking function, but you aren't gaining any strength. The upright should actually be weaker with the less material.

For someone that just wants the manual locking function, mess with your vacuums lines. For the people that are going with a LT kit or just want a stronger fabricated upright with stock dimensions, the F450 unit is the way to go.

Not very beefy:

Readylift fabricated:

F450 Bearing housing:

I may or may not already have a fabricated upright... That's the reason I asked.

 

[Jarrett H]

I may or may not already have a fabricated upright... That's the reason I asked.

First step is to see if the bolt pattern is the same. I'd put money on it that SDHQ might have a take-off or replacement F450 bearing they could measure. Or find one locally and measure it at a parts store.