Dana 44 Truss

8

88XJScott

NAXJA Forum User

• Jan 4, 2006

• #1

I have heard from many people that rear waggy axles like to bend, so I decided to take action before this happens.

It ain't nothin to complicated, but I couldn't find any info/pics on an axle truss, so I'm postin this up for anyone who might want to do this later.

I started with a bunch of 2"x2"x.125" box tubing that I had laying around. Made some cuts, did some welding, then some grinding, then some BLING!

The fish mouths... (aka notching)

This is where it will sit...

Final pics after welding and painting to come...

 

T

tealcherokee

NAXJA Forum User

Location

CT

• Jan 4, 2006

• #2

y did you grind all the welds off?

looks nice tho, i woulda brought it up a hair higher, and welded some mounts for links on

 

C

ChristmasXJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

christmas,FL

• Jan 5, 2006

• #3

ya i would have put some link mounts lol. im planning on doing this when i swap my waggy axles and running leafs in front and link in rear i dont have a gastank in the way so i can put all bars and links i want back there

 

8

88XJScott

NAXJA Forum User

• Jan 5, 2006

• #4

Yeah links are in the future. I just spent a whole bunch of money on building the front suspension and the axles, so the wallet is taking a break and I am taking some time to wheel it. 2.5" Air shocks, double triangulated four link is the way I'm going to go.

I grinded all the welds (except for the bottom ones) off mainly for the bling factor. I dont think I compramised very much strength because all of those welds had plenty of pentration.

 

ROCKREADYXJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

New Hampton, NY

• Jan 5, 2006

• #5

Looks a little uneven sorta sloped to one side. but I don't know about grinding the welds down that does create aweak spot. I wouldn't be worried so much about your bling. I would focus your attention to strength and function.

 

8

88XJScott

NAXJA Forum User

• Jan 5, 2006

• #6

The whole axle is sloping to the right in that picture, so that makes it look uneven. When I turn this into link mounts, I will be welding plate steel over the joint for some extra strength. I guess I'll just have to see how it holds up.

 

Dirk Pitt

Adam Dowling

Location

Salem, IN

• Jan 5, 2006

• #7

ROCKREADYXJ said:

I don't know about grinding the welds down that does create aweak spot

Click to expand...

Respectfully disagree.

I think it looks great and will work great.

 

T

tealcherokee

NAXJA Forum User

Location

CT

• Jan 5, 2006

• #8

grinding the welds doesnt weaken it, i just think some pretty welds adds to the bling

 

8

88XJScott

NAXJA Forum User

• Jan 6, 2006

• #9

Finished Product...

The paint job is only the first coat, but oh well...

I think it added a lot of strength to the axle and only weighs about 10 lbs. Which is unsprung weight too...