Pinion angle Now adjustable

[1LowToy]

I went the poorboy route when I did my flip kit. I used and axle perch from the local Tractor Supply store. The perch worked fine but the pinion angle was nothing but a guess. So I came up with this for a solution.

4 3/8 x2" bolts
4 3/8 x1" bolts
4 all thread 3/8" nuts
A short or shortened 3" drill bit.

I drilled the factory axle perches front and rear of the axle tube and installed the 3/8" fasteners as ahown in pic 1&2. Drilling will require an angle drill or a short or shortened drill bit. Simply not enough room for a standard drill. I found Sears has short drill bits for angle drills but Sears is a 100 mile round trip for me. So I shortened a 3/8 drill bit.

Set the rear axle on ramps and lifted the front of the truck to level the transmission. See pics 3&4.

Next I placed the level on the differential cover bolts. Just by luck the magnets on the level fit right on the bolts. See pic 5. Next option was to remove the differential cover for a flat surface. Crack loose the axle U bolts and adjust as needed. I adjusted mine to about a half a bubble of with the pinion angle down. I'm shooting for 2 to 3 degees down on the pinion.

Tighten the U bolts and test drive to check for vibrations. All good? get the new axle perches welded to the axle tube.

The shock extentions are going on tonight. I made those too. Im cheap so what.

Let me know what ya think.

[lilpoindexter]

Are you sure those aren't going to loosen up over time?

[1LowToy]

After some test driving the perch is going to be welded to the axle, like factory. I'll save the hardware for the next one.

[Hertzdaddy]

Very handy.

You can get a cheap angle finder at any hardware store and check your pinion angle relative to the transmission output very easily. Lots of info on the net about what is ideal.

I'd be very careful about getting on the throttle too much while you are testing. Unfortunately one of the things I'd want to test would be traction from a dead stop.

Generally speaking though, if you liked the way it worked before the flip then just adjust your rig until the factory perch is equal distance from the spring surface front and rear and you should be good to go. That seems to work for those flip kits that use the locator brackets.

[1LowToy]

Have you seen any angle sets that are degreed in hardware stores? I haven't really looked closely but I would like something a little better than just crackin a bubble.

You'd be surprised how far of you are with just a quick measurement. That's what I did when I first put it together. When I checked it yesterday and it was off. Then I came up with this solution. If I had a larger drill bit (7/16 to 1/2") to go with larger bolts I'd put some throttle to it. I don't think I'd go too hard with the 3/8" bolts that I have. But my 250CI might surprise me too. I think the main thing your looking for is a none vibrating drive shaft and a non binding U joint. I'd be willing to bet several of the marketed flip kits aren't perfect.

[Hertzdaddy]

I got my angle finder at Lowes for cheap.
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[rayfinseats]

Research it...

[1LowToy]

I'm here to admit possible defeat.

I did some checking and I don't think taking an angle measurement from the transmission pan mountings is correect. I don't think the trans pan is parallel to the drive train.

I HOPE I DIDN'T MAKE ANYONE WELD UP A BIG MISTAKE!!!!

I'm thinking I need to remove the drive shaft to measure it there, or...?

[Keith Seymore]

Read through these, digest/memorize them and see if they help. I would be happy to answer any specific questions you might have after you have done so:















Bottom line is that it doesn't matter whether the nose of the truck is up or down, or where the earth is or where the frame is: the U joint only cares about the working relationship between the input side and the output side.

K