Axle Trusses are Good

[tsm1mt]

Mountain Jack Rally (http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/8_25_2001.html)

I had been thinking about having a buddy build a front axle truss on my Scout after next weekend's race (last of the season). I built one last year, but I did a poor job and it was torn off. Only had one more weekend to go..

Not any more.

Yesterday I thought I'd lift, slow up, go over the jump, land, and make an ugly second jump over the finish line. Instead, I lifted, and proceeded to nose right into the second jump. Hindsight.. had I kept my foot in it, I would've cleared both just fine. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Just the Ouch (http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/128/tom_ouch.mpg)

http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/pics37.jpg
http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/pics43.jpg
http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/pics31.jpg
http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/pics35.jpg

http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/pics50.jpg
http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/pics51.jpg

So much for the "Heavy Duty" Dana 44.. looks like I have the axle tubes I needed for my high-pinion though! (assuming the center section took the abuse and the .5" thick tubes held up).

Also smoked another 727->D20 adapter and another Dana 20. I think I'm running low now.

I did take 2nd in the drags on Saturday.. one Chevy Blazer beat me.. but no Jeeps or Broncos (in E class - I got whupped in D)


My friend Mike has another Chevy '44 housing for me.. and I'm going to have him truss it before I bring it home... then I'll really start stress-testing some welds!

-Tom

[Old Scout]

60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60

[tsm1mt]

Originally posted by Old Scout:
<STRONG>60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60 60</STRONG>

<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> If I get a 60, it's going into my trail rig.. the '44 has held up, untrussed, to a 700+lbs IH engine slamming down on it for three years now. It's outlasted a pair of leaf springs, too. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Besides.. for this application, a front 60 is just that much heavier. I'd like to move the engine back around 13" and lower it another 3-5" and then start dropping weight off the back end to balance it out again so I can fly farther. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Just don't know when I'm going to get that ambitious..

As it stands, 3862lbs - 42% rear, 58% front.

Other interesting bit.. weighed my crewcab n' trailer on the way home. ~3200lbs front axle (front tires, IFS), 3800lbs rear axle (IIRC), and 5500lbs on the tandem axle trailer. 12,600lbs of 'Binders rollin' down I-90..

-Tom

[R O]

the guy at the end is hilarious(sp)

oooouuuuuch

[Joe V]

Tom,
Have you seen the gussets that are on the axles I just sold?
http://www.geocities.com/aaaaagghh/S2buildup/D44_pair.jpg http://www.geocities.com/aaaaagghh/S2buildup/d44_pair_close.jpg

I actually call them gussets instead of trusses, I think gussets are welded and trusses are bolt ons, bit I could be wrong.

They are box tubing which was cut and formed to the shape of the tube and housing, the guy that did it for me said it was a pain in the arse.

[tsm1mt]

Originally posted by R O:
<STRONG>the guy at the end is hilarious(sp)

oooouuuuuch</STRONG>

<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> That's Dave. Follow the link at the bottom of the full write-up page and look at the October 2000 race report and the "ouch" from that race.

I stood my Scout on it's nose before the rear end came back down.

I fired it back up and tried to get going again and there's Dave, "Hey, he's got fire!" vrrooom vroom.. "Uh.. he's got fire, but.. nothing's turning.." and then "That was a really neat end-o, Tom"

That time I bent the springs and broke the transfer case off the 727 (the first time) but the front axle held up. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

I grabbed the transfer case lever to put it back in gear and it went side to side and front to back.. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

-Tom

[Scout Dude]

Originally posted by tsm1mt:
<STRONG>...Also smoked another 727->D20 adapter and another Dana 20. I think I'm running low now. </STRONG>

Is this the Scout that you are running the pumped up 304 in? How do your Dana 20's hold up when you aren't trying out for your pilots license? I'm just trying to decide if I want to buy lower gears or save up for something better. Mine is adapted to a SM465/ Chevy 305. Thanks...SD

[tsm1mt]

Originally posted by Scout Dude:
<STRONG>Is this the Scout that you are running the pumped up 304 in? How do your Dana 20's hold up when you aren't trying out for your pilots license? I'm just trying to decide if I want to buy lower gears or save up for something better. Mine is adapted to a SM465/ Chevy 305. Thanks...SD</STRONG>


When this 304 was still stock, I actually broke the mounting tabs off a Dana 20 behind my close T19 in my trail Scout. Only one like that.

I blew the 304 up, Comer rebuilt it into what it is now.. and I haven't broken any Dana 20 mounting ears off in the race truck. I've killed three adapters and two cases by bottoming out the front driveshaft - and each time it's because the front suspension failed.

I have been told that if I get it to hook up in the drags, I may start blowing up the 'caes or wiping out more of the adapters..or the 4.88 R&P. I've seen front and rear '44 R&P failure simultaneously.

-Tom

[tsm1mt]

Originally posted by Joe V:
<STRONG>Tom,
Have you seen the gussets that are on the axles I just sold?

I actually call them gussets instead of trusses, I think gussets are welded and trusses are bolt ons, bit I could be wrong.

They are box tubing which was cut and formed to the shape of the tube and housing, the guy that did it for me said it was a pain in the arse.</STRONG>


I've seen 'em done like that on the Dez trucks.. and my understanding is it *IS* a lot of work and a PITA to do.. but nothing is stronger.

I'll probably end up with something like 1" round, or maybe 2"x.5" flat bar or similar welded to either "yoke" under the balljoints, bent under the diff, with stand-offs periodically. It seems to work well enough that my friends with trusses have been running the same front axles for 10 years - and they're NOT easy on 'em.

For the weld/bolt gusset/truss.. I've heard both called trusses. When I hear "gusset" I think of something small to stiffen up a corner - like the corner of a rollcage, or a spring mount reinforcement - but it could also apply to axles done like yours were.

-Tom

[Ben W]

Originally posted by tsm1mt:
<STRONG>
I've killed three adapters and two cases by bottoming out the front driveshaft - and each time it's because the front suspension failed.
</STRONG>

When you finish breaking all the 727 D20 adapters in MT, I've got one I'll sell you. <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">

[tsm1mt]

Originally posted by 61Scout:
<STRONG>When you finish breaking all the 727 D20 adapters in MT, I've got one I'll sell you. <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

How much? If the price is right, I'm stock piling. :-)

I think I'm getting low on Dana 20s now, too.. maybe it's time for coils and radius arms? ;-)

[tsm1mt]

Originally posted by 61Scout:
<STRONG>When you finish breaking all the 727 D20 adapters in MT, I've got one I'll sell you. <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

Just picked up two more from USPS this morning! (Thanks Rick W.)

Looks like I hurt it.

So far the broken parts -

t'case adapter and t'case
BENT long-side axle shaft.
broken diff housing
trashed long-side bearing
BROKEN CARRIER

Hopefully the gears are still good..

http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/carnage06.jpg
http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/carnage05.jpg
http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/carnage04.jpg
http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/carnage03.jpg
http://tigger.tmcom.com/~tsm1/scout/jpg/racing/8_25_2001/carnage07.jpg