034x4 Solid Axle Swap Thread
Originally Posted by Gearhead61
Haha ok cool. how do you know what a good driveline angle is? is it generally 25-35*? Does it depend on the axle, u-joints, and driveshaft?
I can't think of it off the top of my head, but alot of u-joints only operate at about 20-30 something degrees before interference.
For a CV driveshaft (double-cardan joint at the t-case) you want the pinion yoke to point directly at the t-case yoke.
For standard u-joint d-shaft, you want the u-joints to operate at the same angle. IE: measure t-case yoke angle (lets say, 5* , then measure driveshaft angle (17*) and subtract the difference, so your u-joint would be operating at 12*. So you would want to set your pinion angle to 5* so your axle side u-joint is running at 12* also
[Those numbers i made up in my head, for reference only, not actual measurements]
Thanks Jey! Sorry I'm askin so many questions but you seem to know alot about this stuff. is there any particular tool you use to measure those angles? and what do you measure them with respect to? a horizontal plane? Vertical plane?
Going to a local shop here tomorrow. Hopefully get my steering shaft made. Weld my knuckles on. Assemble my axle, and sit it on the tires. Then get the same guys to make my steering. Then on to the rear end...
Naw, i'll keep my 8.8 so i have a speedo, and discs.
HP? naw, then i'd have to go fullwidth, when i got fullwidth i'll get 60's f/r.
(i know i know, narrow the fullwidth, no thanks, i'll keep my LP 44 for now)
HP? naw, then i'd have to go fullwidth, when i got fullwidth i'll get 60's f/r.
(i know i know, narrow the fullwidth, no thanks, i'll keep my LP 44 for now)
yeah, disc are as easy as pulling some off a lincoln in a junkyard and the speedo can be done.
with the right positive offset, Ill barely stick out much more than you...
not to mention the stronger 9 inch and the peice of mind for my front DS...
with the right positive offset, Ill barely stick out much more than you...
not to mention the stronger 9 inch and the peice of mind for my front DS...
^^ yes i realize that, which is why i mentioned the doubler when gil brought up DS angles...
He's not, a member of rrocr or whatever that website is, is going to start making them.
He's not, a member of rrocr or whatever that website is, is going to start making them.
My 1.5" .25 wall heim-jointed steering is being made as i type this. I ordered my new pitman-arm also. Going to box the frame rail for the steering and modify my factory ranger shackles to make them shorter to use on the front.
If I finish all that tonight, i'm going to weld on my knuckles and start assembling the axle.
I'm getting closer and closer.
If I finish all that tonight, i'm going to weld on my knuckles and start assembling the axle.
I'm getting closer and closer.
Got the steering box mounted today, got my steering made. 1.5" .250 wall with 5/8" (i think) heims. Picking that up tomorrow. Made a 6.5" x 4" x 3" L bracket to support the frame-rails where the steering box mounts. It's not fully welded yet, just the sides. After i eat i'm finishing puttin the CTM's in the axle shafts. My pitman arm is on the way from All-Pro off road.


If you want to critique those welds go ahead, and try and weld vertically with an arc welder and fill in a 1/4" gap at the same time...
I'm using 1/2" x 4" grade 8 bolts for the steering box.
I'm using 1/2" x 4" grade 8 bolts for the steering box.
Picked up my steering, got my shackles waggy shackles to work, finished welding the support bracket on the frame for the box, set the caster and welded the knuckles back on. Have both axle shafts/ctm's installed. Gonna clean up the old spindles and hubs tomorrow, paint the axle, and start assembling everything. Picking up my PSC 8" hydro ram on monday and my box drilled and tapped. Still tryin to find a fawkin steering shaft!

My steering is 1.5" .250 wall. Here it is with the heims and misalignment spacers.

Here is the steering next to a 31 spline 8.8 shaft.




Here's Reggie's (Yomie on explorer4x4.com) '97 explorer.


My steering is 1.5" .250 wall. Here it is with the heims and misalignment spacers.

Here is the steering next to a 31 spline 8.8 shaft.




Here's Reggie's (Yomie on explorer4x4.com) '97 explorer.

Box foxfab.com, he's a dealer on pirate4x4.com. 120 shipped, rebuilt i believe.
Steering got at my local shop "mild 2 wild" for 230 with heims, fittings, and misalignment spacers.
Can't wait till i get my box drilled/tapped and my PSC cylinder
.
Steering got at my local shop "mild 2 wild" for 230 with heims, fittings, and misalignment spacers.
Can't wait till i get my box drilled/tapped and my PSC cylinder
.






