TrailMaster '98 - 00 Explorer lift

[gage]

Shaft

Yep it is still working, minus the clicking that I have heard but not confirmed that it is my front shaft. My vibration was due to a very bent wheel.

D44 I have no idea, I have emailed Rick to find out what he put into it. I also emailed the place that helped him and I have not heard from them ether. So I don't know!

I figure about $1000 to $1500 for the D44 hub-hub but then you have all the control arms and diff. steering box which I can get off a bronco or something.


Any thoughts need input, need input!

 

[felsmann]

TM Shaft

DJohnson,

You may be right about the angles, but look at the Trailmaster shaft, the part with the gold ring is separate than the main shaft, there is your slip yoke.

 

[gage]

I agree

I think its a slip shaft has well!

Ans I stilll think if you have bear claws or something you would not feel the vibration.

 

[gage]

Also

The angle will change slightly! You have to take into acount the tork that will happen when you give it some gas. But it is still not much!

 

[Djohnson]

I see what you mean about the picture of the shaft. Although, when talking to them, I thought that they told me that it was a solid shaft. I did not believe it at first.
I will give them a call to confirm.

DJ

 

[krisp12yukon]

O.k. Guys

I put on some stock tires and drove around for a while. It looked like crap, but no vibration.

 

[felsmann]

Stock tires? What did that accomplish? Were you trying to simulate lower gear ratio to increase shaft RPM?

 

[Djohnson]

Some of us questioned whether his baja claws were masking a vibration from his front driveshaft.

Thanks for the test Krispy!

DJ

 

[felsmann]

Got it!

 

[Sherwood]

Felsmann,

Where did you get your driveshaft from? And how wide is the diameter of your driveshaft tube? I am currently in contact with Tom Wood's Custom Driveshaft and they are going to make one just like yours and Trailmasters. I am going to be a "prototype" since they never have made one for the Explorer. They said they are going to do it for $325. It will probably take a couple of weeks.

 

[2001ExpSport]

$325?!.....*cough* *gasp*

We already know that Trailmasters shaft is garbage. Way make a prototype of something that is already made?

You can get a really nice already made shaft for $200, and that one won't vibrate.

Also, any vibrations will be at the pinion shaft, not the transfer case. If you have a worn pinion shaft bearing and or u-joint it will vibrate no matter what. If you are trying to use the stock shaft, it happens to be an inch too short so you can prolly figure out yourself why it's vibrating. If you used it for a long period of time, then you've worn the pinion shaft bearing for sure.

The vibration in the drive shaft will be such a high pitch that it would feel like an electric shaver even at 30 mph. What kind of tires is everyone running? And if Kris ran stock tires with no vibrations, why would we think the drive shaft would be the problem?

In a nutshell, why spend a lot of money on a shaft that won't fix the problem.

 

[Sherwood]

Vibration isnt my problem right now. No driveshaft is the problem right now. Attica claimed mine a few weeks ago. I was told my several driveshaft specialist that the double cardon shaft is used because of the extreme angle that the 4" lift caused. They explained to me why the use of two u joints at diff end and that was with the extreme angle, two u joints is needed for strength and ease of angle. Since I am no expert on that subject I am opting to listen to people who utilize their careers doing so. Besides, if I dont like it, I can get my money back within 6 months of using it. I am also going to a 2" diameter shaft if I can for added strength.

 

[gage]

Thank you for the test

Keep us informed Sherwood!

 

[felsmann]

That's a good price, I paid $100 more for mine. It was done by Powertrain Industries, Garden Grove, CA. Remember mine does not work all that well. For what I'm seeing having a true constant velocity joints as opossed to the double cardan CV on mine and Trailmasters, would yield better results.

Good luck, and let me know how it worksout.

Ps I'll measure the diameter and post it back.

 

[gage]

2001ExpSport

But we don't know that the TM shaft is garbage.

1st Has anyone bought it? I don't know.

2nd isn’t it just like yours?

The reasons I wont go there is strictly the price!

3rd I would hope that for $2-$400 we would get new u-joints.

The pitch will vary with speed. And should be turning a lot slower than the rest of the drive train. I am sorry but even with my 35" ATKO I would not be able to feel an electric shaver, probably not even at idle. My Mustang has a vibration in the shaft and it is very deep anywhere form 40MPH to 140MPH.

What happens: If you where to take a standard UV joint for ratchet wrench and bend (90 degree angle) it as far as it can go and turn it. It would pop out a little and then it would turn. So with the shaft if it vibrates it transfers that vibration to the Transfer Case. Just like the wrench. There is no way around it.

For every action there an opposite and equal reaction. It can not just vibrate at the Pinion, now it may start there but...

For the record I have no play in my pinionand had the vibration for a year. Keep the joke fellas

 

[2001ExpSport]

Ok

 

[XplorerSport]

Torsion Bar?

Does anyone know of problems that occur as a result of twisting your torsion bar to gain height in the front of a 2001 explorer sport? Also, is it easy to convert the 98-00 Ranger body lift to fit the 2001 explorer sport? Thanks for the help!

 

[XplorerSport]

Matt

Matt i like your sport and have been wanting to do the same mods you have done for a while, but have been reluctant to because of problems that i thought could occur. I am talking about the rear shackles, torsion twist and 3" Ranger body lift. Have you ran into any problems with this setup yet?

 

[felsmann]

TORSION BARS

That is a question you can find an answer to if you do a search on this site.

 

[Djohnson]

Trailmaster Driveshaft

Has any one actually purchased the CVDS47 (driveshaft for the lifted '98-00?
My front driveshaft continues to be a problem. I had the stock lengthened and it worked well for about 8 months. I just noticed that the rubber boot is torn. I am just about to break down and buy the TM driveshaft.

Thanks for any help.

DJ