what should the pinion angle be for the front and rear toy axles with cj's and rears in front? or can someone please lead me how to figure that myself?
thanks
-justin

For the rear, if you will be running a CV shaft (which you will want to due to the compound angle), you want to point the center of the pinion flange on the third member right at, or a little below, the center of the rear t-case output flange.

http://4play4wheelers.com/48960958pPFAJd_ph.jpg

As for the front, the angles on the pinion and front t-case output should be close to the same. Hope this helps. ~Steve

In the front, you need to worry less about matching the t-case and more about matching the stock pinion angle. If you change the pinion angle, you will change your castor and therefore change your steering response. A little change in castor usually makes a BIG difference in steering on the road. The best method I have found is to take a magnetic level, place it on a yota axle bolted in a stock rig, read the angle, then take your axle, orient it the same way under your rig, and locate your spring perches to keep it there. Since you aren't shackle reversed in the front and Toyotas are, your perches will need to be rotated quite a bit.

That is the right way. All that being said, if guys are just sticking them under there and they are working fine, then maybe you can forget all the hassle.

squirrelman83
: Do you have any vibration problems with your axle setup in the rear ?

I had to rotate the knuckles about 6-8 degrees to get an acceptable pinion angle and good caster. I added (subtracted?) a few degrees of caster to improve handling. It was kinda a PITA but it was easy since I already had the axle apart to narrow it

you want to point the center of the pinion flange on the third member right at, or a little below

OK, Why a little below, granted its beter than above. But if its below, you will have steeper CV angles than if its pointing at the T-Case. Is this to help when the springs wrap up under acceleration? :confused:

Drag racers do this so under acceleration the pinion rotates up
putting it where it should be in dirct line to the trans aor t-case

Originally posted by LoneZuk
squirrelman83
: Do you have any vibration problems with your axle setup in the rear ?

I do have some vibration in the rear, but I think it is due to the pinion rotating up during acceleration. The YJ's are just too soft. I think when I add a traction bar I will be okay. ~Steve

Originally posted by Orionn


OK, Why a little below, granted its beter than above. But if its below, you will have steeper CV angles than if its pointing at the T-Case. Is this to help when the springs wrap up under acceleration? :confused:

Rockrat nailed it. It allows the pinion to rotate up a bit during acceleration. It only needs to be a couple degrees, so steeper CV angles isn't really an issue. ~Steve

Yea, after I thought about it, I had guessed as much.
I said it the same, just not as clearly.
Thanks for confirming.
I guesed I lernt somethin' in school after all! :eek:

Kool :D

thanks a lot guys....you helped out quite a bit, just started work on the axles, but i just wanted to get that set into my mind before i do anything major
-justin