7° Reamer for knuckles
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
I wound up getting a hold of wild horses 4x4 and they've added a reamer to the linkage order. My rent is already shot on the linkage so I figured I may as well. What really kicks my butt is that a late 77 F150 showed up in the yard today when I went to pick up the bluebulb cover for another member here today. It has everything I needed including disk brakes and power steering whole. I may go back and grab it after payday if it's still there. It certainly won't hurt to have the extras to help another out.thanks to all of you who've tried giving a hand.
On the flip side, grab the whole axle if it has a better gear ratio for your intended use. I'm running 35s and it's a lil doggy with 3.54/3.50 gears.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 71
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From: State of Jefferson
I suppose you're right. I should pick one up one of these days 
in a lot of ways it's nice not having credit.in others it sometimes sucks. That's a beautiful picture there! When you say it's a bit dodgy with 35"s and 350 gears... what do you mean? I have the same gears and 33"s planning for 35"s here in the future when I'm due. We aren't exactly rock crawling with a 1 to 1 T-case.
in a lot of ways it's nice not having credit.in others it sometimes sucks. That's a beautiful picture there! When you say it's a bit dodgy with 35"s and 350 gears... what do you mean? I have the same gears and 33"s planning for 35"s here in the future when I'm due. We aren't exactly rock crawling with a 1 to 1 T-case.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: State of Jefferson
Ok so this Wednesday the Tierod/ adjustable draglink assy. came in from wild horses. Friday the 7degree tapered reamer came in from them as well. (It's an XKUT #5952 HS)
Today I had to run to Harbor Freight to pick up a couple jack stands and a Jack so I can get a straight shot at the knuckles with the tires off. A few good whacks with the BFH and the old assembly is off. It turns out the stock 1974 Pitman arm has the same size hole as the later so will not need reaming. The knuckles of course are a different story. Luckily they have more than enough meat to take the reaming and be plenty strong after. I'm starting to come down with a fever and runny nose now. Taking a quick coffee break and I'm hoping I'll have it in and set by evening. Then I can worry about getting rid of this crap tomorrow and be ready for work monday.
Today I had to run to Harbor Freight to pick up a couple jack stands and a Jack so I can get a straight shot at the knuckles with the tires off. A few good whacks with the BFH and the old assembly is off. It turns out the stock 1974 Pitman arm has the same size hole as the later so will not need reaming. The knuckles of course are a different story. Luckily they have more than enough meat to take the reaming and be plenty strong after. I'm starting to come down with a fever and runny nose now. Taking a quick coffee break and I'm hoping I'll have it in and set by evening. Then I can worry about getting rid of this crap tomorrow and be ready for work monday.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
I suppose you're right. I should pick one up one of these days in a lot of ways it's nice not having credit.in others it sometimes sucks. That's a beautiful picture there! When you say it's a bit dodgy with 35"s and 350 gears... what do you mean? I have the same gears and 33"s planning for 35"s here in the future when I'm due. We aren't exactly rock crawling with a 1 to 1 T-case.
in a lot of ways it's nice not having credit.in others it sometimes sucks. That's a beautiful picture there! When you say it's a bit dodgy with 35"s and 350 gears... what do you mean? I have the same gears and 33"s planning for 35"s here in the future when I'm due. We aren't exactly rock crawling with a 1 to 1 T-case.Thanks for the info on the pitman arm.
And yeah, I too was concerned about enough meat on the steering arms.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: State of Jefferson
Holy moly! I worked at reaming those out by hand for a good 45 minutes before I threw in the towel and ran to lowes for a 1/2" corded Drill. I just couldn't get it to bite by hand. It's all assembled now though adjustments will wait for sunlight tomorrow. We used to set the Jeeps at 1/8" Tow in. Does that sound about right for our trucks? The Drag link will just be centering the wheel once the rest is in shape.
Ah ok. With 33"s it seems just right for starting in 2nd. 1st only gets used if I'm hauling a ton and pointed uphill or if I want to idle out of somewhere.
Ah ok. With 33"s it seems just right for starting in 2nd. 1st only gets used if I'm hauling a ton and pointed uphill or if I want to idle out of somewhere.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Holy moly! I worked at reaming those out by hand for a good 45 minutes before I threw in the towel and ran to lowes for a 1/2" corded Drill. I just couldn't get it to bite by hand. It's all assembled now though adjustments will wait for sunlight tomorrow. We used to set the Jeeps at 1/8" Tow in. Does that sound about right for our trucks? The Drag link will just be centering the wheel once the rest is in shape.
Ah ok. With 33"s it seems just right for starting in 2nd. 1st only gets used if I'm hauling a ton and pointed uphill or if I want to idle out of somewhere.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: State of Jefferson
I do have to say the Xkut dit very well once I chucked it up in the drill. It was a piece of cake. I will admit, I didn't have a proper tap holder but was using a 3/8" socket and ratchet. Regardless, I got them reamed out nice and neat in the end. Regarding gears, looks as though you and I both will be looking to regear sometime here in the future. Maybe even add a limited Slip 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
I do have to say the Xkut dit very well once I chucked it up in the drill. It was a piece of cake. I will admit, I didn't have a proper tap holder but was using a 3/8" socket and ratchet. Regardless, I got them reamed out nice and neat in the end. Regarding gears, looks as though you and I both will be looking to regear sometime here in the future. Maybe even add a limited Slip
My rig has Trac-Lok...... but here's my to do list... swap the NP435/Dana 21 combo to a NP435/NP205 combo, swap to discs, and re-gear.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: State of Jefferson
So I've got a great update. All went very well and the crisis was averted. The old stock TREs are in the trash dumpster and the truck is now tracking beautifully. The XKUT 7° Reamer worked great and is still in perfect condition. Whoever needs it next, cover the shipping and I'll send it out to you. Be respectful using it and when finished, send it off to the next person in need of it and we can keep this ball rolling.
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