Solid Axle Swap BS Thread

They're the plan, but you know how plans go. The lifetime warrenty is kinda whats selling me on them. A set of Cromos with good joins is over a grand. So if I break a set oc cromoly axles I'll be at the cost of the RCVs.

That said we'll see how finances look when I get that far. I have other projects that need attention as well

 

Since I have a new tow rig figured I'd build it a new bumper. Kinda like my old one.

 

I got a set of Yukon 35spline shafts with super joints for $1,100 and a lifetime warranty. At the time the RCVs were about $2,300 I think with a lifetime warranty as well.

My axle builder races the Hammers every year on good ole' Yukon chromo shafts and he has yet to break one. So that sold me into them. RCVs are super bling for sure but I think they are waaaaaaaaaay overkill for the average person.

That looks bad ass.

 

Thanks. I got the last two wheels done this weekend. Still need to trim a little metal, but I like the end product.

The tires are smooth until about 55 and then it starts shaking. I need to add a couple ounces of dyna beads to each to see if I can smooth it out.

 

Getting there... slowly. Don't mind the PVC panhard.

 

Nice!

Nice! Love the animation. Instead of posting multiple pics we can just see how the axle cycles in real time

How wide if your axle again? As you might have realized already...the wider the axle the easier it is to fit things under there lol

 

Dunno if you guys have heard of this or not, but wanted to share the secret to drilling perfectly round holes. I know a lot of machinists that never heard of these, but they are called core drills. Only made to enlarge holes. It's like a combination of a reamer and drill. This one is 4 flutes, but bigger ones will have more.

Going from an existing 1/2" hole to 5/8" is pretty tough on a normal 2 flute drill, even on a press, but the multi flutes makes it easy and keeps it centered and does not require a lot of power. This is just a cheap bench top milling machine.

Makes beautiful chips. This is a Barnes ultra 100 bracket I'm using to make my own frame side panhard bracket.
Super clean and round holes.

Will work on a hand drill, just need a steady hand, low rpm, and a little oil if you want your drill to last.

 

So at this point most of the all pro kit had been pretty useless huh? You're doing a great job btw. Good attention to detail

 

Pretty much!
Thanks tho!
Can see here that the frame side panhard bracket is ridiculously wide, and at full turn towards the drivers side, with passenger tire fully drooped, and drivers side stuffed, the 1.5" tie rod hits it. If I push the axle more forward, the tie rod will hit the pitman. So I'm making a new, more narrow bracket.





But really, the AP kit will work if you don't mind 6-8" of lift, but I'm trying to keep this really low.

 

Hahaha But all pro swears it works. Hopefully the revamped version actually works but I highly doubt it.

 

Totally. If you look at the black Betty build, that's a 4cyl, and they changed the motor mounts, and may have even raised the engine a little. I'd like to see them do a detailed build thread with lots of pics on a V6 2nd gen using their kit without modifying it, according to their directions, and without raising up the engine.

 

That was some really helpful information/tips about making perfectly straight and round holes. Thanks for sharing. That's what I love about forums...you really learn a lot of cool stuff

About the AP kit, that's why I believe it is grossly overpriced. It is marketed for a specific platform, and the customer expects it should work really good without major modifications to it. But it doesn't, which defeats the purpose of a brand specific product.

I got a "generic" kit from Ruff Stuff, plus some other parts from Ballistic. With those generic kits, you expect to have to tweak things around. But they also cost much, much less so it is a good compromise for the customer.

 

Yeah, lots of good brackets out there, better to buy everything ala carte and make it work. Wyatt was also trying to put together an all inclusive kit. Not sure what happened with it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sas-kit.334834/

And I can't help with SAS stuff as I am still a noob, but happy to help with machining tips

 

I sent all-pro there kit back when I realized nothing would work. Then I made everything myself. Best decision I ever made.

 

SAS is complete... Just wanted to share for those who have not seen the build. Be easy on my guys I'm old and fragile Oh and @1999RegCab Sorry for the bling. Anyways my (signature page) has detailed list and pictures for anyone interested.

 

You suck!

 

Sorry Man I cheated a little...

 

There was something about the "RST kit" also on their forum but I never saw a final product. I think the challenge is still the same; whatever brand specific "kit" anybody puts together would probably only work with the specific vehicle they used as research platform and with the exact axle, tire size, suspension goals, etc. Change one variable and kiss good bye the integrity of the kit

ONce again thanks for the machining tips!

Man, congrats! It loos great! It is really a great feeling when you finally see the rig on all fours. That is one clean build, I really like it. You got a ton of clearance from that front bumper.

Did you guys get a chance to stretch her legs yet?

So after the front axle got built hub-to-hub, what was the final measurement? Is it equal or comparable to full-width?

BTW...everybody gotta have a little bling here and there

 

Thanks for the support, it has been a huge learning experience that broke the bank. The truck was cycled by my builder and I told my son to drive it straight home..haha I get home at the end of this month and will stretch her out for the first time. Can't recall on the total axle width hub-to-hub, I'll check when I tear her down to paint the frame.

 

God damn that is just stupid awesome.