redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I smell another UA invite...
I thought Jim was still part of it, post acquisition? I haven't talked to him in years, so I haven't been keeping up.
Great updates.
One thing to be aware of regarding 80 series factory locked axles, is the actuator slides a collar to engage and that collar rides on long splines. Guys with 80's were breaking or twisting them with 35's and 37's. Once it twists, you can't get the axle shaft out and can't get the third member out. They had to end up cutting a hole in the axle housing to cut the axle, so they could get everything apart to repair it. I know you are much lighter than an 80, but you are running 40's.
Jack
Great updates.
One thing to be aware of regarding 80 series factory locked axles, is the actuator slides a collar to engage and that collar rides on long splines. Guys with 80's were breaking or twisting them with 35's and 37's. Once it twists, you can't get the axle shaft out and can't get the third member out. They had to end up cutting a hole in the axle housing to cut the axle, so they could get everything apart to repair it. I know you are much lighter than an 80, but you are running 40's.
Jack
The front and rear diffs have completely different designs for the locking mechanism. The front locker uses a much finer splined engagement collar than the rear. The rear has more dog teeth than splines.
I've never been witness to problems with the front 8" locker, and my experience with the 9.5" locker is limited. Which one has the problems, Jack? Is it the rear or front?
Yup, not the 1st time I have heard about that. Alloy shafts are going in the rear axle pretty much straight away.
......much much much much lighter Sprung rear weight on mine is only at about 1000lbs. I've seen some rear bumpers on 80's that probably weigh more than that!
If it becomes a terminal issue I could always do the 32 spline upgrade with the newer 3rd member and larger pinion.
I know I am pushing the limits of what most people would say would work for 80 axles. I watched one of the Readers on Ultimate Adventure 2015 beat his 80 series rear axle with big tires, gearing, redline clutch drops for a weak. I think there is a little more in these axles than some would believe.
The front and rear diffs have completely different designs for the locking mechanism. The front locker uses a much finer splined engagement collar than the rear. The rear has more dog teeth than splines.
I've never been witness to problems with the front 8" locker, and my experience with the 9.5" locker is limited. Which one has the problems, Jack? Is it the rear or front?
My understanding is that this is a rear 9.5 locker issue. Basically the locking fork can get 'stuck' if the splines on the axle twist or the axle breaks.
Alloy shafts are suppose to fix most of this issue.