2 quick Questions

[ddr11]

1) How much inward travel should the drive shaft have going into the tail housing...lowered 87 R10

2) What should the pinion angle be

[Keith Seymore]

1) Ideally, all the way less 3/4" or 1".

2) Equal and opposite of the trans angle, but less than 3 degrees (at load; may have to factor in some windage in your static measurement to allow for pinion windup during use).

K

[ddr11]

Thanks Keith, My Drive shaft is ok then but I may have to adjust pinion angle with shims. I just lowered the back an additional 2.5 inches and when i drove it (without the bed) on it it seemed very harsh on bumps. I thought the shaft was bottoming in the trans but after removing it and checking the inward travel this must not be the case so I'm looking else where now for the problem. I have short shocks but they are at what I consider a very severe angle to be working properly

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by ddr11

Thanks Keith, My Drive shaft is ok then but I may have to adjust pinion angle with shims. I just lowered the back an additional 2.5 inches and when i drove it (without the bed) on it it seemed very harsh on bumps. I thought the shaft was bottoming in the trans but after removing it and checking the inward travel this must not be the case so I'm looking else where now for the problem. I have short shocks but they are at what I consider a very severe angle to be working properly

It may ride a little harder without the bed than in reality because the mass of the bed settles the rear of the truck down ( remember: the natural frequency of the rear suspension is a function of mass and spring rate; higher mass equals smoother ride).



It's kind of fun to drive around a bit without the box; I would encourage you (and anyone else) to take the opportunity to keep an eye on that rear axle pinion; you can see the amount of windup motion during acceleration and deceleration.

Also - you may need to do something with those shocks to stand them up better. There was a thread very recently (within the last week or so) on that topic that you can search for.

K

[piecesparts]

Any of you ever had a back window busted by the rocks from the rear tires, while drivng without a bed. It causes some rather interesting conversation from the other HillBilly Redneck sitting next to you in the front seat, if it happens. Been there done that.

[Keith Seymore]

No - but I did shwoosh through an intersection in the rain when the light suddenly turned red, rear wheels skidding the whole way.

Made for some interesting conversation between me and myself!!

K