Rod replied:

Phil, If you can un do a nut and are prepared to do the work yourself then you can save heaps. A lot of the early L/cruiser, Hilux and Dyna gear is all the same (cross reference the parts numbers). I'm not a mechanic, but a few years back I converted a Twin Cab Dyna (2wd) to a 4x4 (legally). I had a L/cruiser front diff with drums, I change the L/c hubs/drums with Hilux hubs/dics brakes. Had to replace the L/c cobleep spline stub axel for fine splines. The Hilux hubs cost $300 the pair, probably more now. plus new bearings, overhual calipers.

Tim replied:

I used to drive my mates cruiser a bit and it had all the same symtoms yours has. However it lasted a lifetime and did some big trips with no hassles at all.
As for the roll bar, yeah I would recommend it, the same cruiser was rolled 3 times in about 8 years which is not a god record. I don't doubt it was the drivers fault but the damage with the roll bar was excessive, without would have been fatal.
Tim

royce replied:

Bought my son an BJ 42 Shortie, to help him finish off school..... well, we used it on the farm too! I was shocked by its crazy braking and bounce. It took a bit of getting used to. Had to emergency brake as a bloke ahead braked for a kangaroo. [I don't do that now, keep constant speed and let them take their chances.]. Anyway, I ended up doing a 180 degree spin. Facing the other way up the road to the way I started! When he got his licence and took over the little beastie, I bought him a roll frame 'cause I knew he would? Cheers Royce