Getting Ready To Do A Cut And Turn

[Suarez0523]

Ok, so it is time to do a cut and turn on my resto project. I am starting it this weekend and one fellow mudder has offered to help out if I me and my buddy need it.

Has anyone here done it before. Any pointers, anything I should not do?

Thanks for any help

Adrian

[FL cruiser]

I've never done a cut & turn, but I've narrowed rear ends. usually doing axle work you need a jig so everything is aligned so your not wearing out axle bearings frequently. Jig setups I've priced run around $450, but not much to them. I made my own jig. You can make your own for $60 if you know a machinist to make the collars to go in the bearing races and carrier races. My collars fit 9" and 12 bolt axles, but I have the solid 1" round bar you can borrow, so your half way there.
Even if your cuts are perfect, just the heat from welding will distort the alignment without a jig in place.

Maybe since it's the front, and 4WD doesn't get used much, and axles don't turn during normal 2WD driving, maybe alignment isn't that big of an issue?? If that's the case, it could be an easy job.

[Sputnik40]

From the above - I can tell you who'd I want helping me .

Here is the archived Ih8mud version of the TT article Andre did - see section 5, very helpful!!! http://www.ih8mud.com/tech/soa/index.html

All being said and done - I just called Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters and ordered one up. Tell him what springs you plan to run - standard shackle, reversal, or low profile reversal - and he'll help figure the angle needed. I think mine was around 12 - 17 degrees of rotation. Comes without perches, brake line holders, or turning stops - I used the 4+ perches from Manafre as they had 3 predrilled adjustment holes - and since I did a low profile reversal and flipped my springs this allowed me to bump back a half inch to compensate for the 3 or 4" or wheelbase gained by flipping. The cost was so cheap, plus the core and shipping, it just made sense.

It doens't look that hard - so if you've got a grinder, torch and large pipe should go smoothly - just work out the jig or other method to get both sides lined up.

Good luck - looking forward to seeing you put it together!

[FL cruiser]

There is a picture at the bottom of this site that shows a jig or narrowing kit.
http://www.mittlerbros.com/rearend_parts_acc.htm

It's just a solid straight round bar and Round sleeves the same dimensions as carrier and axle bearings.
I made my own.

After doing a search, I see people are doing cut & turns DIY at home.

If for some reason you have to or want to resort to a shop, Frankland's is south of Tampa near Riverview. Axle housings are their specialty.

[Trollhole]

No jig needed for C&T

Torch is not nessessary unless for some reason the knuckles don't turn like they should.

Welder (a good one), grinder with cutoff wheels and grinding disks, a long bar, BFH, angle finder etc...

http://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/54253-cut-turn-my-experience.html

Call me if you have any questions. 864-414-0563 I'll try to answer questions.

Don't plan on doing this in one day.

[Suarez0523]

There is no rush to do it. i took it a step too quick actually. I need to place the engine, tranny and case back on the frame before I start so that I can measure. Hopefully I will have everything completed by this weekend since the axle is almost completely apart, but if it is not finished, no sweat. There is always next week.

I'll try to post pics of the progress.
Thanks for the help guys

[Suarez0523]

First. Engine, tranny and case went back on for measurements. We did everything while the axles were still attached since it was going to be easier to turn them this way. We welded it back together and I am ready to buy Dodge perches so that I can put the springs back on. After that some POR15 and ready to start working on the tub. We are also going to change the angle in the rear since it is a lot simpler and we are at it already.

Thanks for all the help and sorry for the crappy pics (cell phone).

I will take some photos of the welds next week and the whole POR operation. BTW I did 3 passes. Hope it was enough. I made sure there was a V vut in the axle to make sure the weld went deep enough.

[Suarez0523]

Just got some dodge spring perches for 3 inch axles.
Will be working on those these weekend.

[PolkLandbruiser]

that's some awesome progress there...i'd love to assist (watch!) that procedure in the future...could you explain the specific benefits that you hope to gain through this on your particular model? thanks

[Bret]

I have an empty front housing if someone needs the practice or wants to cut and turn one then swap it in.

[Suarez0523]

Originally Posted by PolkLandbruiser

that's some awesome progress there...i'd love to assist (watch!) that procedure in the future...could you explain the specific benefits that you hope to gain through this on your particular model? thanks

I have not gotten to drive the vehicle yet. I simply knew that I lifted it 4+ inches and the angle from the Axle to the T-Case was not the same. I do not know what kind of improvement this gave me other that one less problem to worry about later. I am getting ready to POR the axles and I do not want to have to take anything else apart for another 30 years once I am done with this resto project. I have heard it is a good mod as long as it is done right. Let's hope I did it right. Oh, update now:

I did not get to work on the truck this weekend. i am almost in finals on school and most of my papers are due. No TLC for me until maybne this Sunday. Also, Hockey Playoffs are here. Can't miss those, and it is not the same on the radio + I don't have a garage where I can hook up cable to, I have a storage lot.

[Suarez0523]

BTW, got the Dodge perches today. I should install them this weeken in both the front and the rear.

Man I like this "welding things myself" part of the resto!