8" lift, what degree shims for front axle?
#1630854
06/09/14 12:54 AM
06/09/14 12:54 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 70
Lebanon, OH
Brad4406
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 70
Lebanon, OH
|
Has anybody installed an 8" lift on their 4X4s? If so, any idea what degree shims I need to purchase?
The last owner never hooked up the front drive shaft since, according to him, it has way too much pinion angle as the axle was never properly shimmed. I want to get this thing set up now before winter gets here and I'm found unprepared.
I know how to measure for pinion angle, as I have done it on a couple cars I've built, but I have no idea what the angle should even be for a 4X4.
Any advice would be appreciated, even if it's to dump the shim idea as it will seriously effect the front alignment and steering. Maybe I need to just spend the money for a double cardan shaft. I should probably look at the shaft I already have tomorrow as I may get lucky and it's already a double cardan.
Last edited by Brad4406; 06/09/14 01:27 AM.
|
|
|
Re: 8" lift, what degree shims for front axle?
[Re: Brad4406]
#1630855
06/09/14 01:36 AM
06/09/14 01:36 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
340SHORTY
Truck Nut
|
Truck Nut
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
|
That much shimming is very bad. The amount need to correct the pinion angle is going to make the truck undriveable. You need to cut the inner Cs off the axle tubes, rotate the axle and weld the Cs back on at the correct caster/camber position...
I am truckless..
|
|
|
Re: 8" lift, what degree shims for front axle?
[Re: 340SHORTY]
#1630859
06/09/14 06:44 AM
06/09/14 06:44 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,141
junction city oregon
viperblue72
top fuel
|
top fuel
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,141
junction city oregon
|
Do NOT run shims. It will steer like he11 and pull all over the road. And you don't gain much by doing it.
As long as you lengthen the driveshaft and clearance the cv so the driveshaft can articulate at the angle, it should work okay.
Dropping the engine and xfer case down is an option too.
Last edited by viperblue72; 06/09/14 06:47 AM.
|
|
|
Re: 8" lift, what degree shims for front axle?
[Re: 76dodgeboy]
#1630861
06/15/14 08:08 PM
06/15/14 08:08 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 70
Lebanon, OH
Brad4406
OP
member
|
OP
member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 70
Lebanon, OH
|
All,
Thank you for all the inputs.
340SHORTY,
I'll definitely do your suggestion on cutting, rotating, and welding the axle, but I'm going to wait until I get a 60 for it instead of wasting money and effort on a 44. Thanks.
Last edited by Brad4406; 06/15/14 08:09 PM.
|
|
|
Re: 8" lift, what degree shims for front axle?
[Re: WO23Coronet]
#1630867
06/30/14 11:08 PM
06/30/14 11:08 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 295
Greensburg, Pa
Mpetros
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 295
Greensburg, Pa
|
Quote:
I've never understood this, if you tilt/angle the front diff up, won't it throw your u joints out of phase? Not sure if that's the correct term but what I mean is don't both u joints have to be at the same angle (relative to the output shaft on the t case and input on the diff) for it to operate smoothly and not vibrate? Or do you use the CV type in conjunction with an angled diff so it doesn't vibrate?
You are 100% Correct.. But on a lifted Truck tilting the axle is the lessor of the 2 Evils.. Drive Shaft holds up better because its lessening the Joint angle..And a Cv Joint on one end
www.GreensburgMachine.com
|
|
|
Re: 8" lift, what degree shims for front axle?
[Re: 340SHORTY]
#1630868
07/04/14 02:46 AM
07/04/14 02:46 AM
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 433
St.Clairsville Ohio
EV2RUNNER
mopar
|
mopar
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 433
St.Clairsville Ohio
|
Quote:
Quote:
Heres a trick if you don't Mind running Brand X Parts on your truck A Stock Chevy front shaft, from Late 70's Early 80's will fit perfect in 74-93 Dodge with 8" lift. You just have to switch out front yoke with GM Unit.I have done this on my 92 Gasser (Dana 44) and My 91 Diesel.(Dana 60) Both are lifted 8" (Well diesel is 6") But equal to 8" on gas truck.
Hows that gonna fix the bad angle? Other than the GM unit being longer, they both have CV yokes in them. CV yokes wont cure the problem..
Ive never had a problem with angles on either one of my trucks, and one was beat hard off road.. Maybe I got lucky I dunno?
|
|
|
Re: 8" lift, what degree shims for front axle?
[Re: EV2RUNNER]
#1630869
07/04/14 12:16 PM
07/04/14 12:16 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 760
Canada
CTD5.9
super stock
|
super stock
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 760
Canada
|
Quote:
Ive never had a problem with angles on either one of my trucks, and one was beat hard off road.. Maybe I got lucky I dunno?
I think there is always some over dramatic tendancies regarding axle angles and driveshafts. Sometimes it's very hard to achieve the ideal angles, the joints will live but not for the full livespan that they should.
In my offroad only truck I have shimmed for an 8" lift, it isn't undriveable. The driveshaft is still at an ugly angle, had to grind all the little tabs off the CV but it still takes 500HP blasts through the mud pit.
|
|
|
|
|
