Hey everyone,
in my younger days I frequented the forums constantly. After college I got busy with house stuff and rock climbing, and have eased up on working on my truck. Well, I caught the bug again and am back at it! Last weekend I drove to Nashville to pick up the axle built on this episode of xtreme 4x4: https://www.powerblocktv.com/episode/XT2011-02/nissan-crew-truck-part-three#.WB38V8mM51k
Here is the synopsis:
Dana 44 out of a 2001 Dodge ram 1500
Narrowed for early F250 shafts
vacuum disconnect bypassed
4.88 gears
Eaton e locker
all new brake hardware, u joints, bearings, races, seals, diff cover, etc etc etc. Basically every part was replaced 5 years ago for the build for the show.
set up as leaf springs, spring under.
all steering/heim joints from the initial build still set up.
Warn manual hubs installed after the show aired.
I had been looking for an EB dana 44 to use when this fell into my lap. Had pretty much figured out how I would do the radius arm bronco axle, but when I found this for $1200, and my mechanic confirmed that to build a comparable axle from an old bronco axle would cost way more than that, I jumped on it. Problem is now I dont know where to start. Still doing research, trying to figure out what parts to order. So far I've come up with these questions:
what steering box would be appropriate to use?
will the spring under axle be reasonable, or should I spring it over? If spring over will the leafs interfere with the current steering set up? (I will try to get some pics of how it is currently set up, as the show doesnt show it at all) What leaf springs should be used?
Can I still use the F250 shock towers?
what length shocks do I need to be looking at?
is this even a good axle to be using or should I sell it and keep looking for the EB axle?
The end goal is to be able to clear 35s with some room to spare. This rig is a DD, but I tend to log less than 5k miles a year and only drive 1 or 2 times a week. I typically bike commute. I'm sure many of these questions will need pics/measurements/more information to be able to answer, let me know what info you need from me!
Sorry to be so needy, I've done all the work on my truck so far, but this is a little more than I'm used to doing.
Thanks for your help, everyone!!
in my younger days I frequented the forums constantly. After college I got busy with house stuff and rock climbing, and have eased up on working on my truck. Well, I caught the bug again and am back at it! Last weekend I drove to Nashville to pick up the axle built on this episode of xtreme 4x4: https://www.powerblocktv.com/episode/XT2011-02/nissan-crew-truck-part-three#.WB38V8mM51k
Here is the synopsis:
Dana 44 out of a 2001 Dodge ram 1500
Narrowed for early F250 shafts
vacuum disconnect bypassed
4.88 gears
Eaton e locker
all new brake hardware, u joints, bearings, races, seals, diff cover, etc etc etc. Basically every part was replaced 5 years ago for the build for the show.
set up as leaf springs, spring under.
all steering/heim joints from the initial build still set up.
Warn manual hubs installed after the show aired.
I had been looking for an EB dana 44 to use when this fell into my lap. Had pretty much figured out how I would do the radius arm bronco axle, but when I found this for $1200, and my mechanic confirmed that to build a comparable axle from an old bronco axle would cost way more than that, I jumped on it. Problem is now I dont know where to start. Still doing research, trying to figure out what parts to order. So far I've come up with these questions:
what steering box would be appropriate to use?
will the spring under axle be reasonable, or should I spring it over? If spring over will the leafs interfere with the current steering set up? (I will try to get some pics of how it is currently set up, as the show doesnt show it at all) What leaf springs should be used?
Can I still use the F250 shock towers?
what length shocks do I need to be looking at?
is this even a good axle to be using or should I sell it and keep looking for the EB axle?
The end goal is to be able to clear 35s with some room to spare. This rig is a DD, but I tend to log less than 5k miles a year and only drive 1 or 2 times a week. I typically bike commute. I'm sure many of these questions will need pics/measurements/more information to be able to answer, let me know what info you need from me!
Sorry to be so needy, I've done all the work on my truck so far, but this is a little more than I'm used to doing.
Thanks for your help, everyone!!