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- #641
Build Yeller Gold
- Thread starter Ol Yeller
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Yes, that’s the DD.
The ‘tubular’ end is the larger of the two - got it.
Can’t remember exactly how I did mine. Think I laid it next to the old shaft(***)and just eyeballed what would work and cut accordingly.
I could post measurement of the ‘tubular’ end if that would help?
(***) The ‘old shaft’ being the one I built when I originally did the Scout Saginaw conversion, not the OEM Armstrong steering shaft.
The ‘tubular’ end is the larger of the two - got it.
Can’t remember exactly how I did mine. Think I laid it next to the old shaft(***)and just eyeballed what would work and cut accordingly.
I could post measurement of the ‘tubular’ end if that would help?
(***) The ‘old shaft’ being the one I built when I originally did the Scout Saginaw conversion, not the OEM Armstrong steering shaft.
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On the factory sides you look correct, confirm you get full range of the joint and it doesn't rub (bind) on the exposed splines.
Correct, for your 15" you would cut 11" from the tube (outer) and 1" from the shaft (inner) to prevent the inner from protruding out and binding against the joints.
Some things to think about early on in your planning stage.
The telescoping shaft is a great idea in theory to help prevent you from knocking out the bearings in your steering column and steering box with frame flex. (most two wheel drive uses a single D and doesn't worry about it)
In practice the inner shaft binds up with rust and dirt after a year of driving and negates any benefit of the telescoping shaft. The rubber boot they supply will be almost useless after a year so keep that in mind and plan for that. Water and dirt will enter from the top tube (outer D) and will need to be addressed with a plug of some sort, if you cut your inner shaft an extra inch shorter than recommended then you can fill that space with silicone.
A boat trailer wheel bearing grease will be more water resistant but would still require maintenance long term.
You'll know when it's bound up you'll get a clunk in your steering wheel when you go over bumps as it's beating the lower bearing out of your steering column.
A lot to be said for the factory rag joints.
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- Thread starter
- #648
Thanks all for the comments & knowledge.
Jim I was thinking about the rust on the assembly, so that makes sense adding an upper seal.
Jim I was thinking about the rust on the assembly, so that makes sense adding an upper seal.
- Thread starter
- #649
Son was out wrenching on his 
box today, I got him to help me re-assemble the front leafs while he was around, too heavy for me to line up and get a clamp on with main leaf in the truck still.
So now front axle in for keeps, torqued all the Ubolts down, nice to have that checked off.
Trimmed, primed and painted the DD steering shaft and also prime & paint on the drag link, should get those in next shop visit.
His 78 Merc seems to have original belts and plug wires, so maybe the 66Mi showing is all it has
box today, I got him to help me re-assemble the front leafs while he was around, too heavy for me to line up and get a clamp on with main leaf in the truck still.So now front axle in for keeps, torqued all the Ubolts down, nice to have that checked off.
Trimmed, primed and painted the DD steering shaft and also prime & paint on the drag link, should get those in next shop visit.
His 78 Merc seems to have original belts and plug wires, so maybe the 66Mi showing is all it has
I had a '77 T Bird that was the Ford version of that Mercury. It had a 400 engine and enough maroon leather interior to cover 3 sofas. Also had a quadraphonic 8 track deck. Pretty sure I only ever owned one quadraphonic 8 track as that concept didn't exactly catch on.Son was out wrenching on his
So now front axle in for keeps, torqued all the Ubolts down, nice to have that checked off.
Trimmed, primed and painted the DD steering shaft and also prime & paint on the drag link, should get those in next shop visit.
His 78 Merc seems to have original belts and plug wires, so maybe the 66Mi showing is all it has
View attachment 4103198View attachment 4103199
Kid got a good eye 👁Son was out wrenching on his
So now front axle in for keeps, torqued all the Ubolts down, nice to have that checked off.
Trimmed, primed and painted the DD steering shaft and also prime & paint on the drag link, should get those in next shop visit.
His 78 Merc seems to have original belts and plug wires, so maybe the 66Mi showing is all it has
View attachment 4103198View attachment 4103199
Unless she hot............More pics of Cougar
- Thread starter
- #655
Just a tease from Steve
There are 5 of them…
There are 5 of them…
- Thread starter
- #656
Rims home now, will let fresh the paint harden up some more before I get tires mounted…lots of other stuff before they go on still.
Spring is here, so helping
in the yard
Spring is here, so helping
in the yard
Spring has sprung
I like that gray! 
