Locking the rear axle down; Axle wrap

So originally what I had the dakars installed the rear became super stiff and all axle wrap was instantly fixed. It was great, it was a pretty stiff ride but I didn't care.

So as time went on, I presume the springs broke in? They became a bit softer, but this also allowed for axle wrap to creep back in...

So my question is if I get the additional AAL to turn the pack into the heavy duty pack and remove one of the overloads, would that lock down the rear axle and stop the last bit of wrap?

Also, does anyone have experience doing this, specifically I'm not trying to add any more height to the back so that's why I'm wondering if removing one of the overloads will counteract adding another leaf.

 

Traction bars are the only solution to axle wrap that I know of for our trucks. I think regardless of what you do with the rear leafs, once the leafs settle and metal relaxes, the axle wrap will return.

 

I bet with doing that it will add height still. One thing I did on a 89 3.4swap with a sc set up I built was took some cheapo overload springs from autozone the 1/2 leaf style and mounted it on the forward side of the spring pack it fixed the axle wrap right up. Might be worth trying I think I had $35 into it.

 

Huh. That's an idea.

 

It was something I saw on a forum at some point. Pretty cheap way to try. Didn’t want a set of trac bars hanging down.

 

I don't either, so I've learned to live with the axle wrap. That said, it can be pretty damn annoying.

 

I think because it's really early in the morning I'm having a hard time visualizing that, do you have a photo?

 

I lied now that I see the picture, it was on my 1st gen it’s all coming back to me. I had a lot of axle wrap with the camper setup.

 

Is that a leaf spring helper?

 

Sure haha I’m not sure what it’s called but that sounds right

 

Do you happen to know what brand it was or where you got it from?

 

You only really need one and depending on the design you may not lose any clearance at all:

 

I think autozone. Mine are just sitting in a box in the shop but I’m sure at the cost of shipping you could just buy a set.

 

Okay I'll give AutoZone a look!
Thanks!

 

Let me know if it works!

 

I thought that correcting the driveline angles fixed axle wrap?

 

Drove line angles don't help if the rear axle can't hold it's liquor.

Although I still think it would help if if had a double cardan.

 

I think it needs both the rear leaf springs addressed as well as the dual carton joint. That 'helper spring' idea is worth considering.

 

Yeah I've been looking into it, I looked at one of those traction bars but good Lord that looks like a lot of work and cash. Cash that can be spent on buying the future 4x4 4runner