Lane's official axle build-up thread

[OGBeno]

I totally forgot to post this...

Using Beno's measurements from his part-time thread, I whipped up a quick Paint sketch of where the new groove needs to be on the longer birfs. I'm a visual learner, so I needed to draw it out to see WTF he was talking about

It's not the prettiest, or even to scale, but it gives a visual idea and came in handy for my machinist

Hopefully it will come in handy for other 'Mud members as well.

Nice drawing Lane.

Just to support the pictorial representation here:

5/1994 and earlier: birf length is 238.5mm (no modifications necessary to fit Aisins).

5/1994 and later: birf length is 246.5mm (8mm longer than the earlier birf).

Birf groove is 5mm from the top, 8mm difference, added together = 13mm from the top of a longer birf is where the start of the new snap ring groove needs to be (give or take a mm). Groove needs to be about 3mm in width as Lane pointed out.

I personally think this should be done by a machinist. The metal is hardened and getting a hackswap or a dremel to do it correctly just doesn't seem feasible....at least it didn't for me. The machinist's work was impeccable.

 

[nicholas]

I personally think this should be done by a machinist. The metal is hardened and getting a hackswap or a dremel to do it correctly just doesn't seem feasible....at least it didn't for me. The machinist's work was impeccable.

You make a good point with the hardened metal. I had read that another member had used a dremel, so I thought I might take a "hack" at it.

Another downside of cutting the groove while the birf is on the truck is ensuring that metal shards don't make their way into the bearings and spindle.

 

[wxm]

Nice drawing Lane.

Just to support the pictorial representation here:

5/1994 and earlier: birf length is 238.5mm (no modifications necessary to fit Aisins).

5/1994 and later: birf length is 246.5mm (8mm longer than the earlier birf).

Birf groove is 5mm from the top, 8mm difference, added together = 13mm from the top of a longer birf is where the start of the new snap ring groove needs to be (give or take a mm). Groove needs to be about 3mm in width as Lane pointed out.

Thanks for clarify it. I was puzzling about that.

 

[cc93cruiser]

Just last week, I purchased a set of chromoly axles and birfs from a fellow 'Mud member. Birfs are still new, axles are barely used.

Axles are also brand new, never installed. BTW, nice work and keep us posted...

 

[Lka1988]

Axles are also brand new, never installed. BTW, nice work and keep us posted...

Oh really now...

 

[Lka1988]

Nice drawing Lane.

Just to support the pictorial representation here:

5/1994 and earlier: birf length is 238.5mm (no modifications necessary to fit Aisins).

5/1994 and later: birf length is 246.5mm (8mm longer than the earlier birf).

Birf groove is 5mm from the top, 8mm difference, added together = 13mm from the top of a longer birf is where the start of the new snap ring groove needs to be (give or take a mm). Groove needs to be about 3mm in width as Lane pointed out.

And absolutely none of the measurements made any sense until I sketched it out.

Thanks for posting this (again).

 

[Lka1988]

Bought a new-ish front diff from lt1fire. Unlocked, out of a 97 with only 70k.

I have plans for my current front diff , but I need my 4WD working this coming weekend. Trying to organize a small birf party followed by celebratory abusive wheeling

Pics coming in a few days or so. I'm excited!

 

[Lka1988]

Front diff arrived yesterday afternoon! Note to self- USPS is a joke.

Pics coming when I find my camera.

 

[lt1fire]

Glad it got there...... yeah priority mail kinda sucks.... I'm going to call and bitch at them tomorrow.

 

[Lka1988]

PICS! Yay!

1. Opened and unwrapped
2. Checking it out on the bench, peeled off the old gasket (It's upside down)
3. Good splines! (this is the part I was worried about on my current diff)
4. Ring and pinion meshing. Cool.

 

[silverhorse]

Looks nice and sexy!

 

[Lka1988]

Now to find time to put it all together...

 

[cc93cruiser]

Looking good Lane! Now put it all together and go on with the thread!

 

[lt1fire]

You liked my packing job didn't you

 

[Land Speeder]

Lane you're going P/T in the front, you got the selectable hubs.... why not throw the Aussie in the front and call it locked? This is exactly what I'm doing in my new project.

 

[Land Speeder]

Hey, also, will Bobby warranty these birfs if they're altered like this? because don't these things have lifetime no-quertions-asked warranties?.... well, also if you're running his hub gears.. right?

 

[Lka1988]

You liked my packing job didn't you

Yes.

Lane you're going P/T in the front, you got the selectable hubs.... why not throw the Aussie in the front and call it locked? This is exactly what I'm doing in my new project.

It's my DD and I want some sort of maneuverability in 4WD. Eventually I'll be putting an ARB, Eaton, or something selectable in my current 3rd.

Hey, also, will Bobby warranty these birfs if they're altered like this? because don't these things have lifetime no-quertions-asked warranties?.... well, also if you're running his hub gears.. right?

Not a clue. I bought them from Rob (cc93cruiser).

 

[Land Speeder]

It's my DD and I want some sort of maneuverability in 4WD. Eventually I'll be putting an ARB, Eaton, or something selectable in my current 3rd.

Watched an 80 at the Round-Up manuver perfectly with an Aussie in the front with Aisin hubs... locked/unlocked

My front Aussie is ordered and will be here before the truck is...

Just sayin... try $250 before and while you're saving for the $1000 ARB/install and then $175 compressor... For the price of the large ARB compressor, you could be locked.... not many people do this setup because they aren't capable. But with P/T and Aisin hubs, you are perfect. In 2WD there's nothing lost in turning/etc.

Not a clue. I bought them from Rob (cc93cruiser).

the warranty is transferrable as long as you follow his rules with regards to hub gears, shafts, etc...

 

[Lka1988]

Watched an 80 at the Round-Up manuver perfectly with an Aussie in the front with Aisin hubs... locked/unlocked

My front Aussie is ordered and will be here before the truck is...

Just sayin... try $250 before and while you're saving for the $1000 ARB/install and then $175 compressor... For the price of the large ARB compressor, you could be locked.... not many people do this setup because they aren't capable. But with P/T and Aisin hubs, you are perfect. In 2WD there's nothing lost in turning/etc.

What about situations that require 4WD and maneuverability?

That, and I already have an air supply

the warranty is transferrable as long as you follow his rules with regards to hub gears, shafts, etc...

Good to know.

 

[Land Speeder]

What about situations that require 4WD and maneuverability?

It gives you more turning radius than a locked ARB but less than an unlocked dif. But enough to manuever. I liked what I saw enoguh to try it... if i end up hating it then I'll pull it and sell it to a taco wheeler... but I'm going to try it.

That, and I already have an air supply

Congrats you just shaved $150 off a $1500 project.