No not going to finish it tonight have to work late tonight.

 

What size tires are you going to run on JR?

 

Mad Max's 36's when he's not looking. Might even pick up a new set of LTB's. I have some BFG AT 33 10.5's for trips to Colorado and Utah. The BFG's will fit without trimming.

 

Well some may have noticed my signiture had changed. We put the full width 9" under the back of "Jr." last week. It was the old axle Duane was running under Da Beast. Looks like I will have to trim to wheel it with the 33's on it. I pick up my modified Dana 35 knuckles tomorrow So we should have the front together next week and I can get a picture of it with the 33's on it.

There is a lot to be done on the rear axle. It needs to have the spring pads set and pinion angle adjusted then welded into place. I have a brace for the back of the 9" housing that needs to be welded on. Then shock mounts welded on. Buy a Detriot locker from Clint (if he'll sell it to me) and have it installed. Then I need to paint it. I have some POR I'll try if it's still good. 1" body lift and new body bushings. Buy shocks. Need to have the crossmembers/ tranny mounts modded. Then exhaust done. After that it's just little stuff. Wiring and shifters in stalled. Hoses and colant. Fluid in t-cases, diffs, tranny and axles.

Should be ready this spring. Anyone want to go to Utah in April? Well the last half of April that is.

 

Cool Jack, that is good news. Looks like it is coming along fine.

 

Just if the weather will hold and be nice next week when I'm off.

 

What, your off next week? Let me make a list. LOL

Hey Clint, read posts above, you'd better keep your tires locked up!!

 

I like the sig Jack lol. Glad to see you are making progress on Jr. Maybe it will motivate me to get of my **** and get da beast done!!!

 

No I'm off tuesday and open three days next week. It might get out of the garage.

 

But not under it's own power. It'll be a while before that happy dance.

 

Have a little set back. But it looks like we can still get there. Just a few more parts and $$$'s. Maybe next month we'll have some new pictures to post.

 

Well I have a good start on the Dana 44 outer parts on the Explorer 35 front axle. Still have some editing to do and it's not complete yet but the general direction of the project is at http://www.mappyjack.com/Dana44.htm

 

Hey that is good Jack, some great information.

 

Ok I did some adding and editing. Getting close to putting it all together. Let me know what you think. Tell me if my speller messed up or if I made no sense at all.

 

I have used some old parts to mock up the axles off the truck. I am using the slinger metal washer that the large seal fits on as a reference point. The GM 44 outer shaft is great going through the spindle and lock out with room to use the c-clip on the end of the axle. If I stack the outer axles on top of each other and place the slinger rings one on top of the other I find that the location on the u-joint in the ear end of the axle is different. Looks to be the same on the 35 or 44 TTB but the GM straight axle 44 outer moves the joint out towards the steering knuckle at least an 1/8"

When I mocked up the 35 TTB parts on the knuckles and compared to 44 parts on the other knuckle again I found that the 44 TTB outer shaft was the same or so close I could not tell the difference but the GM outer moved the center of the axle u-joint at least 1/8" out toward the knuckle.

My options now are to 1. Run the GM outers and hope I do not have any binding. 2. The 44TTB outer is to short to use a c-clip but if I can tap the end of the shaft it looks like I can install a stud and washer and nut to keep the axle in place. 3. I can contact an axle maker and have axle stubs made. 4. I can put the 35 stuff back on and run wheel adapters to match the rear 5 on 5.5 pattern.

Anyone know how difficult it is to tap or weld an axle shaft?