Axle truss

[JDerbedrossian]

Well since Greg from DRC never got back to us on his axle truss we just had to find someone else and this is what his looks like. Maybe the maker will chime in.

 

[Matt S]

Now that's what Avi needs! They look good. When are we going to test them out?

 

[Nate]

That's cool, though the problem with those is you loose alot of ground clearance. Couldn't have done it over the top?

 

[Bob4x4]

Well since Greg from DRC never got back to us on his axle truss we just had to find someone else and this is what his looks like. Maybe the maker will chime in.

Looks nice Maybe he will show at our Pismo trip June 9th :-laf :-laf



Bob

 

[Bob4x4]

That's cool, though the problem with those is you loose alot of ground clearance. Couldn't have done it over the top?

Better to smack a rock than the oil pan



Bob

 

[Lorenz]

Couldn't have done it over the top?

No room over the top. The oil pan is right there.



I'm impressed Bob, good job.

 

[dsherman]

Looks nice

Hope that works for you

David

 

[EBansberg]

now where's the dana truss? gonna be more difficult with the CAD?

 

[Nate]

Just notch it out for the CAD.



Yeah I didn't think of the oil pan.

 

[Bob4x4]

now where's the dana truss? gonna be more difficult with the CAD?

Eric.

Same amount of work but the Dana is stonger and can be pushed much harder before issues occur





Bob

 

[Megadesertdiesel]

i was told you should not weld to the steering knuckle on these dodge trucks. is this true? i welded on my jeep axles and had no problem. i am planning on a truss before the winter dune season.

 

[EBansberg]

well that's good to know. I don't really want to find out how much stronger though.

 

[Bob4x4]

i was told you should not weld to the steering knuckle on these dodge trucks. is this true? i welded on my jeep axles and had no problem. i am planning on a truss before the winter dune season.

It has been done by many... ..... of course you should always try to avoid welding to any casting if it can be avoided.



Bob

 

[05mxdiesel]

After welding did you have to replace axle seals or did the heat disipate enough? Nice job on the truss.

 

[Bob4x4]

After welding did you have to replace axle seals or did the heat disipate enough? Nice job on the truss.

300 miles so far seals are fine



Bob

 

[ASchwartz]

300 miles so far seals are fine



Bob

What does one of those setups run?



Avi

 

[Bob4x4]

Avi,it's a one off I fabbed. We had promises from DRC but no call backs so I spent my time... ... ... . A little birdie told me there are others interested in developing one commercially soon.



Bob

 

[jwilliams3]

Could one just weld the tube parts and leave the diff housing unwelded?



BTW: Looks good and I think they will sell if they are decently priced.

 

[ASchwartz]

Bob,



Did you tweak the axle before you welded it?



Avi

 

[llotton]

Way back in the day (70s&80s) there was a company named "Hickey Enterprises" that made a truss for the front axle that was a pretty neat item, I had one on a 73 Chevy. I don't know who bought out Hickey but I think they went on to produce the truss. The truss consisted of bar steele welded to a cradle of sorts for under the center section of the dif. and at the wheel ends there was a "U" bolt of sorts that slipped through the area below the knuckle and was fastened to the end of the bar stock via a threaded piece of flat stock about 1/2 x 1" in size and held in place with self locking nuts.

If someone knows who bought Hickey Enterprises perhaps they are still in business. I think it was a company called Grace but I don't know the rest of the name.