The trail lived up to it's name. Erik and I went out for a little suspension/tire testing on Sat.

I like the big tires, your suspension doesn't even have to break a sweat on a lot of the stuff.

http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/2002/9-02axlealley/axlealley9-21-02-01.jpg

http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/2002/9-02axlealley/DCP_3395.jpg

The first couple falls are pretty easy.

http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/2002/9-02axlealley/axlealley9-21-02-11.jpg

Return of the strap cam! I tried this one but ended up winching up it, Erik was doing pretty good but what I couldn't see was his t-case cross member was hanging him up.

http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/2002/9-02axlealley/DCP_3404.jpg

He worked the wheels looking for traction until we heard a loud pop.

http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/2002/9-02axlealley/DCP_3406.jpg

So what do you guys think about running steering stops on the D44's? Seems to me if you limited travel by a couple degrees this problem would be minimized, kinda like what the Toy guys do with their steering stops. We backed him down and tried pounding them back in and then tack welding them but on the second attempt the welds broke and we were back at square one. We ended up heading back out.

Originally posted by Azrckcrawler
The trail lived up to it's name. Erik and I went out for a little suspension/tire testing on Sat.

I like the big tires, your suspension doesn't even have to break a sweat on a lot of the stuff.
Return of the strap cam! I tried this one but ended up winching up it, Erik was doing pretty good but what I couldn't see was his t-case cross member was hanging him up.

He worked the wheels looking for traction until we heard a loud pop.

http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/2002/9-02axlealley/DCP_3406.jpg

So what do you guys think about running steering stops on the D44's? Seems to me if you limited travel by a couple degrees this problem would be minimized, kinda like what the Toy guys do with their steering stops. We backed him down and tried pounding them back in and then tack welding them but on the second attempt the welds broke and we were back at square one. We ended up heading back out.


after one look at this and the pix of broken dana's from Asylum.....the Toy axles are looking better all the time to me....Amigo:D

Originally posted by Arizona Zuk



after one look at this and the pix of broken dana's from Asylum.....the Toy axles are looking better all the time to me....Amigo:D

I hear ya, I mean you sacrifice a little turning radius but from what I have seen it's a good trade off. It should be noted Erik didn't start breaking stuff till he added the second transfer case giving him a 4:1 low range, combine that with the V8 and some grippy tires :eek:

Looks like its time for some CTM's!!!

Let me guess..... an old 297 with c-clips. I'm sure you will find the bearings are powdered, if there is even anything left in the caps. How many years did he have on those joints?

Full circle a 270, then the spicer stub will be the next to break.... :D

After watching Jayson break toy birfs every other outing with 33's, I would have a hard time saying they would be any better. At least he gets three trips on a spicer shaft now. :) But thats also with dual case and 38's! ;)

Originally posted by okcrawler
Let me guess..... an old 297 with c-clips. I'm sure you will find the bearings are powdered, if there is even anything left in the caps. How many years did he have on those joints?

Full circle a 270, then the spicer stub will be the next to break.... :D

After watching Jayson break toy birfs every other outing with 33's, I would have a hard time saying they would be any better. At least he gets three trips on a spicer shaft now. :) But thats also with dual case and 38's! ;)

Good call. It was a junkyard axle (but then so were mine). He didn't have time to put in new u-joints. So your saying the newer ones are better? One thing he was thinking about doing was tacking the new u-joint caps, is this a good idea? Sounds like you guys are hard on your gear. One of these years I'll make it out East and you can show me how to break my junk :D

Erik sent me a few more pics.


http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/2002/9-02axlealley/axlealley9-21-02-14.jpg

http://www.azrockcrawler.com/_images/2002/9-02axlealley/axlealley9-21-02-21.jpg

i like your custom cructh mounts make me some:p
what happend y do you have them

Originally posted by nozuk
i like your custom cructh mounts make me some:p
what happend y do you have them

My passenger had a broken foot and was getting tired of sitting around at home :)

Originally posted by Azrckcrawler


My passenger had a broken foot and was getting tired of sitting around at home :)

oh....I thought the crutches was because your Zuk is one of the new Thrill rides provided by the "Make-a-Wish" Foundation.... ..:D :D

Originally posted by Azrckcrawler
Good call. It was a junkyard axle (but then so were mine). He didn't have time to put in new u-joints. So your saying the newer ones are better? One thing he was thinking about doing was tacking the new u-joint caps, is this a good idea? Sounds like you guys are hard on your gear. One of these years I'll make it out East and you can show me how to break my junk :D

We've had real good luck with the new Spicer 5-270 (297's forged replacement) and full circle clips. They've proven to out last both spicer inner and outters shafts. If all he did was spit the caps, this will give him a good margin.

Personally, I'm not all that fond of welding the caps in. I've seen quite a few actually blow the end of the cap out. Welding is not going to help that, and it tends to overheat the seal and bearings. If you only get a few months on a axe/joint then it's probably ok. But, if you think it'll last a while, it's not such a good deal, since the strong joints don't have grease zerts.

Disney is something to experience. The traction beats anywhere else I've found. But, that does tend to stress your stuff.. :) Disney did devour several D60's during ProRock....

So, is your 6:1 pulling the 37's ok? Are you running stock birfs?

Originally posted by okcrawler


We've had real good luck with the new Spicer 5-270 (297's forged replacement) and full circle clips. They've proven to out last both spicer inner and outters shafts. If all he did was spit the caps, this will give him a good margin.

Personally, I'm not all that fond of welding the caps in. I've seen quite a few actually blow the end of the cap out. Welding is not going to help that, and it tends to overheat the seal and bearings. If you only get a few months on a axe/joint then it's probably ok. But, if you think it'll last a while, it's not such a good deal, since the strong joints don't have grease zerts.

Disney is something to experience. The traction beats anywhere else I've found. But, that does tend to stress your stuff.. :) Disney did devour several D60's during ProRock....

So, is your 6:1 pulling the 37's ok? Are you running stock birfs?

Thanks for the info, I'll let him know. The 6:1's seem to pull the 37's fine. I have to give it a little gas when creeping up stuff now but nothing major. I think an EFI 1.6 would really pep this thing up :) Birfs are still stock, I have my spares under my flatbed along with a spare hub and other parts. I am half tempted to send off for some superbirfs but I'd rather the birf be the weak link than the R/P or locker. We'll see how these hold up, it's all one big experiment anyway right?

Originally posted by Arizona Zuk


oh....I thought the crutches was because your Zuk is one of the new Thrill rides provided by the "Make-a-Wish" Foundation.... ..:D :D


thats some funny :jeep3: dave



can i go next time chris i hurt my toe

Originally posted by nozuk




can i go next time chris i hurt my toe

Lol, as long as the toe is killing you and your last wish is to ride around in a yellow jungle gym :)

Originally posted by Azrckcrawler


It was a junkyard axle (but then so were mine). :D

You best be gettin' some of them there Super birfs.............

Originally posted by Azrckcrawler


Lol, as long as the toe is killing you and your last wish is to ride around in a yellow jungle gym :)



i'm scared of jungle gyms

Originally posted by nozuk




i'm scared of jungle gyms

your thinking of Jungle "Jim"...he won't bother you any more:D

go for the ride

Originally posted by Arizona Zuk


your thinking of Jungle "Jim"...he won't bother you any more:D

go for the ride




dave you juggle jims what?:question:

Hey Chris, Ive had good luck on my 5-760's (Spicers 297 replacement) by tacking a fender washer on top of the joint. The washer needs to be just a little bigger than the joint then just tack it in 4 places and go. Ive had this setup on my 30 with 37's for a few months now with no problems. Before I did that(just had the caps tack welded), when the clips walked out, the joint still walked out, destroying both axles. I actually looked at my joints once and noticed that I was missing two clips, but the washers were still holding them in place:eek:

thats not chris's that broke it was the other dude chris gots yoda axles

Doh!, I knew that, but hey, at least he can pass it on to Eric:flipoff2: