Sero
03-10-2009, 10:28 PM
So after having this axle for about a year and a half and gradually collecting parts it was about time to install it. So instead of just putting it in, I decided to take it apart first and check it out, and sure enough several of the bearings were shot, so it needed a rebuild. My plan is to eventually put 4.56 gears in it but I decided not to do that at this point as that would mean redoing the front axle as well and that wasn't going to happen as I came across a good deal on a brand new detroit for it. So the gears will go in when I can acumulate enought parts for the front axle. Install kit is from ruffstuffspecialties.com
On to the pics.......
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00063.jpg
Out with the old....this pic is a ltittle distorted...camera phone
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/115.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/086.jpg
My hardware...yes...very large isn't it :D
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/092.jpg
More hardware 5/8ths ubolts and 3/8" plates
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/111.jpg
Spring perch's made out of 3/8" plate and 7" long to help reduce the axle wrap
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/113.jpg
Finding the spring perch's centre points
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/116.jpg
So the axle is installed with the perch's unwelded, u-bolts installed but not tightened, then the wheels and driveshaft are bolted up and the weight of the jeep lowered down on the axle and bounced a few time to make sure everything is settled. Then with the Jeep in neutral the pinion is raised untill we get the desired angle (I set mine at about 1 and a half degree lower than the driveshaft) and the perch's are tacked in along with the shock mounts. Then the axle is taken out and everything is burned in.
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/124.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/125.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/131.jpg
After it burned and the brakes installed it's bolted back in.
Onto some finished pics......
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00066.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00071.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00072.jpg
Now with 4 wheel disc brakes and a proprtioning valve from a ZJ this thing stops way better, couldn't be happier. The only issue I have now is that my driveshaft occasionally touch' my muffler as the Explorer pumpkin is offset to the passenger side a bit, but it's time for new exhaust anyway as the muffler is starting to shed it's skin..
Very happy overall, the detroit is very friendly for the street, the occasional noise, but nothing the radio can't hide, I'm sure I'l be pleased with it's off road performance...
Future plans are to build a yoke/diff slider as this is a concern for me....
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00066a.jpg
That's all for now folks....
On to the pics.......
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00063.jpg
Out with the old....this pic is a ltittle distorted...camera phone
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/115.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/086.jpg
My hardware...yes...very large isn't it :D
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/092.jpg
More hardware 5/8ths ubolts and 3/8" plates
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/111.jpg
Spring perch's made out of 3/8" plate and 7" long to help reduce the axle wrap
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/113.jpg
Finding the spring perch's centre points
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/116.jpg
So the axle is installed with the perch's unwelded, u-bolts installed but not tightened, then the wheels and driveshaft are bolted up and the weight of the jeep lowered down on the axle and bounced a few time to make sure everything is settled. Then with the Jeep in neutral the pinion is raised untill we get the desired angle (I set mine at about 1 and a half degree lower than the driveshaft) and the perch's are tacked in along with the shock mounts. Then the axle is taken out and everything is burned in.
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/124.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/125.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/131.jpg
After it burned and the brakes installed it's bolted back in.
Onto some finished pics......
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00066.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00071.jpg
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00072.jpg
Now with 4 wheel disc brakes and a proprtioning valve from a ZJ this thing stops way better, couldn't be happier. The only issue I have now is that my driveshaft occasionally touch' my muffler as the Explorer pumpkin is offset to the passenger side a bit, but it's time for new exhaust anyway as the muffler is starting to shed it's skin..
Very happy overall, the detroit is very friendly for the street, the occasional noise, but nothing the radio can't hide, I'm sure I'l be pleased with it's off road performance...
Future plans are to build a yoke/diff slider as this is a concern for me....
http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp18/Sero11d/IMG00066a.jpg
That's all for now folks....