[Espeefan]

If you are looking for a simple bolt on lift axle kit, unfortunately, one does not exist yet. Everyone I know who runs a lift axle on their truck has built it themselves using a varitey of home made parts, or some currently available parts, which are modified to become a lift axle. I've seen some Tamiya guys run a trailer axle, lifted with a servo. I've also seen some use a driven axle, with no internal parts, which allows the driveshaft to pass through the axle without interferance. I've modified a steering axle to fit my Wedico, even though Wedico does offer an optional lift axle kit. The scale is wrong, if you are into Tamiyas, and I personally didn't think the Wedico lift axle worked all that well.

The good news is it's not that hard to come up with a kit of your own. The parts to do the job are already out there for Tamiyas. The biggest thing you need to overcome is the clearance so the drivehaft can pass underneath the lift axle and make it to the drive axles without the lift axle hitting or block the driveshaft's way. For that, some guys make a u-shaped axle from scratch. As for myself, a standard steering axle provided enough clearance for my driveshaft, when I flipped it, but I had to do some extensive modifications to narrow the axle, so it could tuck up into the chassis, when lifted.

Have a look a IHBuilder's heavy hauler thread. He has a good idea for a lift axle that may give you some ideas. Tamiyacowboy also runs a similar set-up, if I remember right.

It's just a matter of coming up with an idea and seeing if works. None of it is to difficult. Don't be afraid to get creative and try something. All it takes sometimes is a creative streak and some thought! I am sure more will chime in and show off their set-ups. Good luck!