I figure by the time we weld the tubes to the diff., weld on the new HD LCA mounts, weld on all the trusses and gussets I have, the housing will be plenty strong. I'm still going to get all new Moog greasable HD balljoints and I'm still looking for the best deal on a set of stronger knuckle axle joints. I'm still shopping around to see what the best deal on joints is. I'm sticking with my stocker axles until I actually break one. I just can't justify dropping 400-500 bones on a set of chromes when I haven't broken a 1 piece OEM axle shaft yet.......and I already have 2 sets of trail spares for cheaper than a set of chromos would have cost me. As long as I can still swap an axle/hub/wheel bearing assembly on the trail in 20 minutes. I will just stick with that rather than dropping 700 bones on a set of chromo axles and super joints for my D30. if I start breaking axle shafts regularly it will be time to step up to a larger axle, I feel...

 

Dave, I already have the LCA axle mounts. As soon as I get the Mini truss and "C" gussets in the mail, I will give you a call and we can figure out a day to get together for some welding. I'm already Jonesing for a wheeling trip. It drives me crazy seeing my Jeep sitting there in the driveway broke.

 

unless you are going to spend the $$ on ctms or longfield ujoints, I would stick to the spicer ujoints. they are a quality joint and before I bought superiors and ctms I ran the spicers and stock shafts on 35's for awhile

 

i run precision u joints the are made in america, spicer only the some parts are made in america.

 

Once you went up to 35s, what did you seem to have break on you more the stock shafts or the stock knuckle U-joints??

 

I had the small joints at first and broke two joints and egged out the ears on a pair of shafts. Once I went to the slicers and the larger joints (760?) I twisted splines on a shaft. Only went to the superiors and ctm because of the smoking deal I got on them

 

Off topic, you gonna be done by the 12th?

 

No I already talked to the guy... He said I shouldn't go cuz he wasn't going! Stubborn man!

 

C'mon, kid. You know with me it's all about the quality of my work, not the quantity or amount of time it takes...LOL. Once I get my Jeep all back together it will need to go on a Walker Shakedown trip to try all the new stuff out.

 

Nah, im glad you aren't going. And for a good reason lol. I want you to take the time to get this done and make it look perfect! That way I can copy you again lol

 

Well we will have to see how Dave does on the welding. He crosses me as one of them there "The bigger the glob, the better the job" kinda guys...LOL.

 

So I called up Mr. Dave PopCanCherokee, last night. It's looking like we might be able to get together this up coming weekend to do the required welding on my axle. I should have the Truss pieces I ordered from Rusty's by then. I've already finished one of the truss pieces I was working on. I have a couple more to go. Lot's of cutting and grinding involved with making homebrew trusses. I will post a couple more pics tonight.

 

Sorry about the huge lapse in updating this thread guys. I am still waiting for the last of the truss parts to come in the Brown Truck. Then, I will get to getting some welding done.

Since I was at a stopping point on my Jeep over the weekend I did some work on my truck in prepping for tow duties. I put on my DNT dropped hitch, I installed a Prodigy II trailer brake controller and I installed a set of Firestone airbags complete with EZ ride spacers (to compensate for the lift). My D-MAX is all ready for Heavy towing duties, now. Just need to find a trailer that doesn't require emptying the bank account.

 

I went out in the garage last night and mocked up my axle housing with all of the new truss pieces and the new HD LCA mounts just to get an idea of what it will look like. I have just one more small truss piece to make tonight. I made the template for it last night. That is the piece that will go between the diff and the spring bucket on the left side. Then, it will be time for welding, grinding and paint so it will be stronger, pretty and corrosion resistant.

 

Once the axle housing is all armored up just the way I want it....AND my accountant coughs up the money for a set of HD Moog greaseable ball joints and Precision extreme Duty knuckle U-joints....Then, the axle assembly will begin.