So. I recently did some upgrades I want to tell yall about. I
purchased my 1986 21ft Rogue about a month ago. It has 46k miles. in
really nice shape, except for the wimpy rear axle that it came with.
I took it on one small trip to the local mountains. I didn't feel
safe at all, after reading all the post..and knowing that I was
playing russian roulet. Anyhow. I went to the National Highway
safety website and couldn't find any recall on my camper. I know that
it is recalled because my belief is that all the 5 lug rear ends
with bolt together wheels were recalled. I don't know who the
manfacturer of my motorhome is. so no real way to look it up.
Anyhow..I made several calls to TOyota themselves and really got the
run around. I decided to call National Rv. they sold me a rear end
kit for $1000.00. It was the same kit that they use for the recalls.
It comes totally complete..from the brake lines to the
rims..everything there..u bolts and all. I decided to do the install
myself. It was very simple.. everything went exactly in the same
place as the old one did. Just had to make a way to hook up the
emergency brake cables from the new rear end to my cables that were
on my motorhome already. anyhow..it all works great. same gear ratio
and all. It came in a wooden crate from Toyota. you could tell it had
been sitting a while.but was never opened.I installed some new front
and rear shocks..also bought a nice big transmission cooler and
installed it also at the same time. Ready to go now..except for I
have a hole in the muffler..want to replace that.. The total rear end
exchange took about 3 hours. I have a compresser and some air tools
from when I used to do mechanic work for a living..that made it
easier..but I think most anyone could do the exchange. The rear end
came with the shock mounts..that went on the bottom of the u
bolts..just like the old ones did..so..I am ready to go to maybe
Anzaberago ..(spelling) to see the wild flowers..before it is too
hot...just wanted to tell yall how it went..incase the exchange of
the rear end would scare anyone off..it shouldn't.. OH WHAT A
FEELING...TOYOTA!...Tommy
