Welding TTB, version 2.0
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 29
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From: Wild West
Welding TTB, version 2.0
Hi all,
Any LOGICAL reason why anyone would weld a TTB together to improvise a "solid" front axle?
"Offroad and 4x4" forum already laughed at me, as expected. Curious now as to where this idea started. Cruel urban legend started by a disgruntled Ford employee? Rogue backyard mechanic? Did I have another drunken out-of-body experience? Snipe hunt?
Thanks,
J. McG. P. ("JP"), in RI
Any LOGICAL reason why anyone would weld a TTB together to improvise a "solid" front axle?
"Offroad and 4x4" forum already laughed at me, as expected. Curious now as to where this idea started. Cruel urban legend started by a disgruntled Ford employee? Rogue backyard mechanic? Did I have another drunken out-of-body experience? Snipe hunt?
Thanks,
J. McG. P. ("JP"), in RI
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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I assume this is more for strength? I think the TTB does excellent at getting traction, but I've heard people prefer a straight axle for durability.
What's your takes on this? Traction wise, what gives better traction?
What's your takes on this? Traction wise, what gives better traction?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Dickson, Tennessee
you have to cut the axle from the frame or no suspension movement....reason 1
the amount of weight you would add to the front axle (large plating and alot of welding) then all the stress would be right at the point of all the plating and welding would make it not worth the trouble. just much much cheeper and stronger to put in solid axle.
the amount of weight you would add to the front axle (large plating and alot of welding) then all the stress would be right at the point of all the plating and welding would make it not worth the trouble. just much much cheeper and stronger to put in solid axle.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 13
From: Wild West
only ever heard about this, never seen it. plus, it's usually at the bar, like, "oh, i know a guy who knows a guy who's friend heard about a guy who did it on like a bronco or somethin', you should try it." my response has also always been, "WHY?!?!?" just wondering if there is some un-sung advantage, besides a survival situation like having to do a hillbilly repair in a combat zone w/ plenty of welding rods but no auto parts...knowwhatI'msayin'? (even though i've never seen a Ford TTB in a military pickup/suv, just solid axle, gas and diesel GMs and Mopars)
Last edited by jmcgp; Feb 6, 2008 at 04:19 PM. Reason: typo
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: New Jersey
A lot of times you'll find projects like this that don't necessarily make sense right away.
But if you consider that a lot of people do things "because they can" and "they have suitable parts lying around" maybe it might.
But if you consider that a lot of people do things "because they can" and "they have suitable parts lying around" maybe it might.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
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From: Dryden, ON, Canada
I have seen this done, along with welding D50 TTB knuckles onto a rear 60 to build a fornt 60...
It'll work, and cure alignment issues, but, unless you get a custom inner pass side shaft, you still have a 3rd u-joint to deal with.
It'll work, and cure alignment issues, but, unless you get a custom inner pass side shaft, you still have a 3rd u-joint to deal with.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 2
From: Florida
There is nothing wrong with a TTB front end.....they are what they are...while solid axles are built for more durable and rough abuse the TTB gets the job done and handle up to 35's pretty well......welding it up like that would be a sign of major stupidity.JMO
JR
JR
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 13
From: Wild West
IcemanV8,
Traction is determined largely by the contact patch, how much rubber is on the road. Given 2 trucks, same loads, on dry pavement, turning fast into a corner, one with a solid axle and one with the TTB, the VERY short answer is that the TTB will "give" you better traction. However, this "short" answer is just one of many possible scenarios. Things get more complicated when you factor in sway/torsion bars, off-road surfaces, vehicle heights (center of gravity), spring coefficients, shocks, loads biased front/rear and/or side/side, loads shifting/rolling around, landmines, gremlins, the IRS, osmosis, telekenesis.... Without boring you, it is better to have a solid axle for off-road and heavy-duty use, where DRY traction is not the greatest concern. But for high-speed, paved road, light-duty use, DRY traction usually IS the greatest concern, and the TTB is the better choice.
JP
Traction is determined largely by the contact patch, how much rubber is on the road. Given 2 trucks, same loads, on dry pavement, turning fast into a corner, one with a solid axle and one with the TTB, the VERY short answer is that the TTB will "give" you better traction. However, this "short" answer is just one of many possible scenarios. Things get more complicated when you factor in sway/torsion bars, off-road surfaces, vehicle heights (center of gravity), spring coefficients, shocks, loads biased front/rear and/or side/side, loads shifting/rolling around, landmines, gremlins, the IRS, osmosis, telekenesis.... Without boring you, it is better to have a solid axle for off-road and heavy-duty use, where DRY traction is not the greatest concern. But for high-speed, paved road, light-duty use, DRY traction usually IS the greatest concern, and the TTB is the better choice.
JP
Posting Guru
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i thought about this same thing alot just never looked closely at it. if you weld the brackets together at the bottom of the bracket (i can because lift bracket) it would distribute more stress than before seems like a great idea to me