4x4 Truck parts for dummies
4x4 Truck parts for dummies
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 26
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From: Platteville, CO
4x4 Truck parts for dummies
Can anyone recommend some good books or wesites for newbies to learn the basics about 4x4's? What I'm looking for is something that describes and has pictures (I can't read) of the different components that make up a good 4x4 truck. I'm tired of going through articles in 4-wheel mags and not understanding 3/4 of what is being talked about. What is the difference between double coilovers, torsion bars, knuckles, CV joints, rods etc... Something with schematics, drawings, and descriptions of what the different components do. I am learning a lot buy lurking on this forum but occassionally I would like to contribute to the discussions but I have this "lost" feeling.
Thank you all for your help.
Thank you all for your help.
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14
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4x4 Truck parts for dummies
Don't worry about the learning curve, we've all been there. One of the best sorces of information would be the shop manuals like chiltons or haynes under the suspension chapter. If you are looking to get into serious 4 wheeling look into a 4x4 web site like co4x4.org. There are a wide variaty of vehical there. After you go through the shop manual and look at all the pictures of stock setups reading tech articals will make a lot more sence.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 789
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From: Cheney, Wa
4x4 Truck parts for dummies
don't waste your money on a haynes manual chiltons is the way to go.
if your ever at the grocery store and have 15 minutes to kill pick up a Peterson's 4wheel Drive and offroad, they're the best mag in my opinion and they always have about three good tech articles a month, other mags have good stuff in them too but i wouldn't spend money to have them only peterson's. after a couple months or so you'll know what makes a good truck and what to get......then you just have to get the money to buy it and the tools and mechanical ability to fabricate it.
just a tip......if your going big (44" tires and big ft/lbs) just buy dana 60's to start with
if your ever at the grocery store and have 15 minutes to kill pick up a Peterson's 4wheel Drive and offroad, they're the best mag in my opinion and they always have about three good tech articles a month, other mags have good stuff in them too but i wouldn't spend money to have them only peterson's. after a couple months or so you'll know what makes a good truck and what to get......then you just have to get the money to buy it and the tools and mechanical ability to fabricate it.
just a tip......if your going big (44" tires and big ft/lbs) just buy dana 60's to start with
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 390
Likes: 1
From: South East Alabama
4x4 Truck parts for dummies
4wheel drive is another good mag. Sister publication of Peterson's 4x4 offroad. I think the best place to start is at your local library. Good magazines plus: In the reference section you should find a nice selection of manuals for a variety of vehicles. Each section explains the vehicle design and then goes into detail with exploded veiw diagrams and great pictures. The MOTOR manuals are big and cover many years. Even different years of say F150 for example uses different design components. So you can learn alot in a hurry at no cost. Lots of 4x4's use many different ways to lock in the front wheels. These manuals shed light on the different mechanisms. I haven't been there in a long time, but 4wheeldrive.com has a lot of good info on the different brand of vehicles and identifying transmissions and axles.
Last edited by shotgun; May 24, 2003 at 08:09 AM.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Fairbanks Alaska
4x4 Truck parts for dummies
Portals huh? Obviously you have some spare money. Some very good advantages to portals. But like everyone else said, research and more research are the way to go. I learned a lot of what I know from reading manuals and picking peoples brains.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 106
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From: TX
4x4 Truck parts for dummies
Originally posted by danlfx4
thanks superswamper,
I was thinking about starting out with a 1 ton military portal axel with Portals and tractor tires.
.
thanks superswamper,
I was thinking about starting out with a 1 ton military portal axel with Portals and tractor tires.
.
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 59
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From: Monroe, WA
4x4 Truck parts for dummies
don't waste your money on a haynes manual chiltons is the way to go.
Also, if you have buddies that work on cars or trucks, ask them questions and help them work occasionally. Some guys can be very helpful if you listen.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2000
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4x4 Truck parts for dummies
yo Dan;
here is Chilton on-line in 2 formats:
.....
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...pair_guide.jsp
and one of a few Links that I have in my new web site:
http://www.inct.net/~autotips/undrhood.htm
here is Chilton on-line in 2 formats:
.....
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...pair_guide.jsp
and one of a few Links that I have in my new web site:
http://www.inct.net/~autotips/undrhood.htm
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