Designating the weak link

[AlaskanWheeler]

After reading the article in TT : Engineering the week link. What would fellow mudders consider the weak link for this set-up: Cummins 4BT-NV4500HD-Splitcase-Stock modifed length drive shafts-Fine spline R&P-stock rear axle shafts-30 spline longs-stock for '81 hubs.
To me the preferable location for failure would be in the drive shafts; as this would seem like the easiest trail fix.
Your thoughts and considerations would be appreciated.

 

[HawkDriver]

Sounds logical to me. Now to figure just how weak to make it. Good luck.

 

[Pinion]

Yup. Ujoints are probably the easiest to swap out on the trail when compared to birfields or wheel studs.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

But in this case you're probably looking at a blown pinion or a busted rear axle shaft. Toyota u-joints rarely fail from overloading. Most of the time they fail from lack of lube or from being bound up.

Nick

 

[bustanutley]

rear shafts are the Achilles heel

I say make everything as bullet proof as possible, aka, pig rear 4340 shafts or full floater

When things break they put a huge shock load on other components

 

[Poser]

Rear axle shafts....


What is the configuration of the vehicle, and what is the intended use?

Tire size? Suspension? etc...

 

[65swb45]

But in this case you're probably looking at a blown pinion or a busted rear axle shaft. Toyota u-joints rarely fail from overloading. Most of the time they fail from lack of lube or from being bound up.

Nick

Yup. Pinion or axleshafts. I give the 'edge' to the axleshafts, especially with a larger size tire.