shiming front diff?

[mannytheman]

i whent SOA in my bj60 1982.
just wondering if i can change my pinion angle by welding some sort of a shim to my spring perches.
i dont want to cut and turn cause i have no money.
i know my sterring would be tweaked but how bad would it be?
manuel

 

[rchalmers3]

If you did the SOA then why stop at doing C&T??? Heck you were 3/4 the way there!

Rick

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Sure you can add a wedge, but it's an extremely bad idea. Here is why; if you shim to point the pinion up, the caster angle will go the wrong way, and give the truck truly dangerous steering. If you've ever driven a truck with out enough or even negative caster, you would know that the truck will dart all over the road under hard braking.

When you do a spring over, you should point the pinion at the t-case, then rotate the knuckles back to achieve the right caster. Expensive or not, you should do the right thing. If you can't afford a cut and turn, you can't afford a major modification like spring over.

 

[cruiser88]

Sure you can add a wedge, but it's an extremely bad idea. Here is why; if you shim to point the pinion up, the caster angle will go the wrong way, and give the truck truly dangerous steering. If you've ever driven a truck with out enough or even negative caster, you would know that the truck will dart all over the road under hard braking.

When you do a spring over, you should point the pinion at the t-case, then rotate the knuckles back to achieve the right caster. Expensive or not, you should do the right thing. If you can't afford a cut and turn, you can't afford a major modification like spring over.

True dat

 

[lehiguy]

I did the SOA about three years back and I never did the cut and turn. First, I already had a CV front driveline. Second, pinion angle is secondary in importance to the caster angle. I run very little caster, less than factory spec because I like it better this way and my tires wear better. A steering stabilizer is mandatory however if you do this. So my pinion angle isn't ideal, it's a bit low but it doesn't vibrate so I don't care.

 

[Granite Grinder]

I did the SOA about three years back and I never did the cut and turn. First, I already had a CV front driveline. Second, pinion angle is secondary in importance to the caster angle. I run very little caster, less than factory spec because I like it better this way and my tires wear better. A steering stabilizer is mandatory however if you do this. So my pinion angle isn't ideal, it's a bit low but it doesn't vibrate so I don't care.

I just saw a SOA Fj62 (Mud_Guppie) on our last outing. No cut and turn, and no problems. I believe Dan's (crawlin cruiser) BJ60 isn't C & T'd either with no problems.
GG

 

[mannytheman]

i dont even think i need to do anything. it dosent vibrate now.
i just wanted some more arch in my srings and that would mean more lift.
but i gues ill just leave it as is.

 

[Granite Grinder]

i dont even think i need to do anything. it dosent vibrate now.
i just wanted some more arch in my srings and that would mean more lift.
but i gues ill just leave it as is.

Are you using stock springs? If so, I'm sure your pinion angle is tolerable. More lift equals worse pinion angle. I would C & T at that point, then bolt some 38's on.
GG

 

[Mace]

62's pinion angle is greater than a 60's.

Depending on the year of 60, you may or may not need to adjust the pinion angle to prevent U joint binding.

 

[boots4]

The idea of pointed the pinion up has to be accompanied with a DC shaft. If using a standard 2-joint shaft match the flanges and don't point the pinion up. If you can weld the only cost will be your time as all it takes is and angle grinder, BFL to rotate the knuckles and and angle finder. Cut, spin to desired amount (4 or 5 degrees) and reweld, done. Sounds like you can weld and that is what stops most people from even doing a SOA. It really is easy and the benefits are real.

 

[ontherox]

i dont want to cut and turn cause i have no money.

That makes no sense! shims have to be bought and cutting and turning is free???

Seriously though, just do it!.I just posted progress of my own cut and turn in my build thread,its really not as bad as it seems.