I'm trying to finalize everything in my head in preparation for finishing my 4wd conversion. One thing I don't know much about, is the importance of pinion angles. Any rules of thumb, basic guidelines, helpful websites, etc. on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
A little background to my question: Because of the trans. that I am using (A833od), my transfer case (NP205) will sit farther back than normal, so I want to make sure I'm not going to put the rear drive shaft in a bind and eat U-joints, or something like that. There is a possibility to move things forward 3" if need be, but I'd rather not spend the extra time and money if I don't have to...
pinion angle lesson, please
- surfnuke9
- Sweptline.ORG Pioneer
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Re: pinion angle lesson, please
The guy in this link (Billavista) writes just about the best tech writeups on anything you could ever want to know about Dana's, drivelines and 4X4 topics.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavist ... ndex2.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavist ... ndex2.html
Re: pinion angle lesson, please
If you want the real deal, engineer's explanation, definitely read Bill's write up.
In a nut shell, if you're running drive shafts with single u joints on either end, then you want the pinion angle to match the angle of the output on your t-case when the truck is at ride height.
For instance, if the rear output measures 2* below neutral/level (-2*), then the rear pinion angle must measure +2*. The idea is that the faces of the outputs are parallel which allow the u joints to be nuetral at ride height.
If you're running a CV shaft, then you can point the pinion directly at the t-case output.
In a nut shell, if you're running drive shafts with single u joints on either end, then you want the pinion angle to match the angle of the output on your t-case when the truck is at ride height.
For instance, if the rear output measures 2* below neutral/level (-2*), then the rear pinion angle must measure +2*. The idea is that the faces of the outputs are parallel which allow the u joints to be nuetral at ride height.
If you're running a CV shaft, then you can point the pinion directly at the t-case output.
- demulsion
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Re: pinion angle lesson, please
Well, I made it a page and a half through the Pirate article before I developed a headache... Fascinating stuff, thanks for the link. Lowdown, thanks for the nutshell, that's more on my level!
- surfnuke9
- Sweptline.ORG Pioneer
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Re: pinion angle lesson, please
If you ever feel the need to become a 4X4 NERD,.....read ALL of Billavistas stuff. He is one smart, dedicated guy.