front axle flip

[img]http://i41.servimg[url=https://servimg.com/view/17715767/92].com/u/f41/17/71/57/67/00114.jpg[/img][/url]got the axle fliped today, not hard just had to move some brake lines for clearance, tomorrow i'll start on the rear

anyone know the pinion angle i have to reset it when i lower the rear i think its 6 degrees? thanks for any help,

VERY COOL!!!! Also a very good looking Dodge

thanks man,

Most leaf spring cars run 5-7* but i would check it before you start.

I would like to see how you bolted the axle down. Any issue with the sway bar? Did you put the leaves back in the springs?

Looks good!!

i used summit spring purches 720025 and longer u bolts and i did put back the 2 leafs i took out, i need shorter shocks and the sway bars hooked back up, i'll take some pictures tomorrow i have to adjust the toe, then start on the rear.

Looking at that picture, I think I would leave the rear where it is. The rake you have now on that front end looks awsome.

Lookin REALLY good man!

You want the axle to be 2-5 degrees down from the trans. This allows the axle to lift during acceleration and even out.
The offset means that the needle bearings inside the U-joints move a wider area, not just slightly twist back and forth. This spreads the load, wear and lube.
Just remember that it is the angle relation of the trans and axle, not the ground. In the drawing below, they give examples of a 4 link and a ladder bar.
You want to use the ladder bar settings. Measure your angle on the trans (left column). Then measure the axle angle (middle column). What you want is to angle the axle down slightly (the angle in the third column).

thanks so much rod, i'll use this chart when i get to dropping the rear end, i still have a few bugs to straighten out on the front axle flip, the front axle i adjusted to have a slight positive caster so when i drop the rear the front axle will have about 4 degree positive caster, this should make the steering wheel come back to center after turning a corner,

Spec on the caster is 6* the more the better

i can always change the caster angle by loosening the u bolts and turning the axle that way when i'm done lowering the rear i can recheck the front end and make adjustments as needed, when done i'll weld the purches to the axle, i have more work to do on the front first, i need to pull the lower part of the radiator toward the front of the van, i need more clearance so the lower rad. hose does not hit the axle, i'll most likely cut off the bump stops,

you can see in the pictures i need to reroute the brake lines, theres quit a lot of work involved, but i think its worth it,

How long are your new u-bolts?

Looks good!

the only ones advance auto had in stock were 12'' you could use 6'' long

UPDATE, test drove it and it handled like shit, tires rubbed on turns , no lower shocks anywere, you could feel every bump, so i flipped it back, this time i took out the two center leafs and it sits lower than before, and handles great, NO AXLE FLIPING FOR ME !

Function over Form

When i removed 3 leafs out of the front of mine, the tires rubbed but that's with my 18's. Looked very cool but .....

I know i can't get away with the flip and my wheels.

That's a bummer bro. Not every mission is a success I suppose. :/

o well i tried, nothing ventured nothing gained, i guess

You could always try another idea. 70's style 14" mags with REALLY wide low pro tires all around? I used to see that alot on ca vans here and 70's mustangs. Along with the missing leaf spring leaves that might work? Other than re-arching your springs I can't really think of much else to help you achieve "that" stance.

yeah i have 14'' wheels on it now, i'm happy with it now, its a little lower in the front now, i might replace the 2 springs in the rear i took out and remove the 2 center leafs,that would make it sit lower all around, i liked the look of the flipped axle but it would not work for me,

RodStRace wrote:You want the axle to be 2-5 degrees down from the trans. This allows the axle to lift during acceleration and even out.
The offset means that the needle bearings inside the U-joints move a wider area, not just slightly twist back and forth. This spreads the load, wear and lube.
Just remember that it is the angle relation of the trans and axle, not the ground. In the drawing below, they give examples of a 4 link and a ladder bar.
You want to use the ladder bar settings. Measure your angle on the trans (left column). Then measure the axle angle (middle column). What you want is to angle the axle down slightly (the angle in the third column).

i'm adjusting my angle now, does it matter that i have the rear of the van raised on jack stands much higher then the front while i adjust the pinion angle, since my mesurements are from the trans seal and the rear end yoke?