How big is too big for a toyota axle?

I'm currently running a 42/15/15 on my stock Yota' axles. What is the largest tire that they can take before the ring gear starts breaking teeth off. I have split my carrier in half on the front, which made it very difficult to get out the chunk. I want to go down to a 38.5/12.50/15 but not if its still going to break. I drive mostly in mud and sand, and I always trailer it. Someone please help out.

Thanks,  

I would say that 42s are pretty darn big for stock Toyota axles. i would put the bone stock Toy axle strength at 35-inch tire size max for mud and sand wheeling. mud is especially hard on the stock axles because you're increasing resistance while they are already under heavy load.

i run 40-inch tires with Dana 60s and don't break parts. moving to 42s very soon. while 60s are a bit heavy for a Toyota you could still significantly upgrade the Toy axles to increase strength or move to any of the other common Toy axle swaps like a Ford 8.8 or Ford 9-inch.  

whats happenin bud? First of all do you have a straight axle under the front or are you independent. i'd say that the 42's are over kill for the stock toyota axle( especially for the cv joints) but if it helps you any trail gear offers a 30 spline axle for the straight axle that guarentees 39 inch tires. they run around 600 bucks which aint to bad..  

You can take care of the case splitting in two by going to a V6 3rd....the case that captures the spiders is a 'full' case and won't split. While I do agree that 42's are a lot of tire for an 8" ring gear, it can be done with upgrades. We have a local guy here in the Chandler AZ area that runs 42's on his buggy...he has Toyota axles front and rear.....a 4.3 Vortec with a TH350 auto/4.7 Toyota case, 30 spline chrome-moly front axles, 30 spline chrome-moly rear axles, 571 gears installed by me.

This link is the rear 571 gear build....     http://gearinstalls.com/flexor1a.htm

This link has a pic of his buggy on 42's ...     http://gearinstalls.com/flexor1c.htm

ZUK  
2001 Tacoma...stock for now.

Hey ZUK, I looked through your gear install threads. What would you charge to set up some front and rear toyota axles with new gears and lockers? I'm local, in Gilbert. Thanks.  

Send ZUK an e-mail (gearinstalls@gmail.com). He'll answer a lot faster. I don't think he's regular here. He's very helpful, btw!