axle alignment ? for axle swap

Chuckman

Chuckman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2005
Location
Huntersville
So Im looking at putting a 44/9 combo in Vortecjeeps TJ. What we are looking at is the pinion offset of the 9" vs the D35. I have swapped enough axles, and have run into bigger problems, but this is not MY rig and I dont want to just do whatever is easiest at the time, and I dont want to move the drivetrain like Ive done before. The main issue is he will be 3" further axle stickout out on one side if we line the yokes up. We will have to go SYE with the lift, so we will be working with a CV rear shaft. This IMO dictates that we line up the rear to avoid vibrations. He will be driving this alot on the road and is putting on good tires so any vibrations will be noticable. So, heres the options as I see it. 1) shorten the long side- but I dont have a jig for rewelding the flange and this sounds tricky 2) center the axle and have it misalinged by 1.5" 3) turn the drivetrain to match the offset angle on the CV- I have done this on mine, but I was dealing with an existing engine swap that made it easier. 4) wheel spacer on one side 5) run it sticking out and deal with it.
What have you guys done that worked? I want it to be right, but you know about Pandoras box... :popcorn:

alright, whatcha got that worked/didnt?
 
Option 6 - find some 5 lug conversion hubs for a D60 or use adapter spacers.
 
Hello

I do front-end work all the time, if you are doing this swap (already have), tell your alignment shop of the axles you are using. If you have alot of lift and have adjusted the pinion angle on the front, you might have problems. The factory did a pretty good job on setting angles. The best thing to do is cut the axle nicely and reset the factory angles on the hubs and set the angles for the pinion, Make a higher oiling hole. It might make for an expensive fix but it will make it handle a whole lot better (might get rid of the bouce).
 
49willys said:
Hello

I do front-end work all the time, if you are doing this swap (already have), tell your alignment shop of the axles you are using. If you have alot of lift and have adjusted the pinion angle on the front, you might have problems. The factory did a pretty good job on setting angles. The best thing to do is cut the axle nicely and reset the factory angles on the hubs and set the angles for the pinion, Make a higher oiling hole. It might make for an expensive fix but it will make it handle a whole lot better (might get rid of the bouce).
Click to expand...

Question is about a ford 9" vs Dana 35 rear ends whether to run the DS straight (axle misaligned) or vice versa (axle centered, DS misaligned). Not about cutting and turning knuckles in the front.

I'm sorry I can't help more, I could see it going either way. My limited knowledge says a CV should be lined up, but I've never tried to run one misaligned laterally. Might not be any big deal. Let us know what you end up doing
 
I'd say mount it offset and use a wheel spacer if you can't find someone to shorten it
 
Run the whole assembly in the rear centered(aka the pinion with be off center). You will be fine. Get the shortest SYE you can get(tera or JB SS SYE), so you can have the longest driveshaft, and you should be fine. Pinion angle should still be 1-1.5 degrees low.

If you decide to cut it down, let me know and I can do it for you.

Andy
 
zubz said:
Run the whole assembly in the rear centered(aka the pinion with be off center). You will be fine. Get the shortest SYE you can get(tera or JB SS SYE), so you can have the longest driveshaft, and you should be fine. Pinion angle should still be 1-1.5 degrees low.
If you decide to cut it down, let me know and I can do it for you.
Andy
Click to expand...
This is what I'd do as well. I run an 8.8 which is offset about half of what you're doing and I run a standard length AA SYE. With a shorter t-case output, thus a longer d-shaft, it'll be fine.
 
zubz said:
Run the whole assembly in the rear centered(aka the pinion with be off center). You will be fine. Get the shortest SYE you can get(tera or JB SS SYE), so you can have the longest driveshaft, and you should be fine. Pinion angle should still be 1-1.5 degrees low.
If you decide to cut it down, let me know and I can do it for you.
Andy
Click to expand...
The JB SYE is on the shopping list! :driver:
 
zubz said:
Run the whole assembly in the rear centered(aka the pinion with be off center). You will be fine. Get the shortest SYE you can get(tera or JB SS SYE), so you can have the longest driveshaft, and you should be fine. Pinion angle should still be 1-1.5 degrees low.
If you decide to cut it down, let me know and I can do it for you.
Andy
Click to expand...

Agree
I installed a 9" in my XJ with the pinion offset and it drives fine down the road.
 
zubz said:
Run the whole assembly in the rear centered(aka the pinion with be off center). You will be fine. Get the shortest SYE you can get(tera or JB SS SYE), so you can have the longest driveshaft, and you should be fine. Pinion angle should still be 1-1.5 degrees low.
If you decide to cut it down, let me know and I can do it for you.
Andy
Click to expand...
I agree with this also, I just wanted someone else to say it first. You know how I am.
 
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