Smurfette goes to the Dr. tomorrow

[Papa_Smurf2]

Tomorrow Smurfette goes to the shop so I can get her on the lift. On the list of things to do are replace the rear wheel cylinders, replace the front yoke on the t-case, and machine up some spacers and drop her belly pan a half inch (in hopes of trying to lower the angle of the drive shaft and save some u-joints).

[Your41Plague12]

Are you talking about a transfer case drop? I'd only go an inch to an inch and a half at most. It puts a lot of strain on your motor mounts, and it also makes your front driveline angle worse. If you 4 wheel a lot, which it looks like you do, I'd advise against it. Get some good U-joints or even a CV shaft, and shim the axles accordingly. That's the best advice I can give. I did a transfer case drop on my truck, and I wish I wouldn't have. If my exhaust wasn't made up after the T-Case drop was put on, it would be out of there by now.

[Papa_Smurf2]

I blew two u-joints (spicers) in two days the last time I went mudding. A cv Shaft is in the works, but right now money is on other things (specifically a new Harley softail heritage). The drop is only going to be 1/2 inch to see if it helps. If not than I haven't really lost anything. I'll pull the spacers out and go with the cv.

[Your41Plague12]

True. You'll blow less rear u joints but more front ones, is what I've found out with mine. You have a good idea. Try it, and if you don't like it then take it out. I'd do a CV shaft anyway, it's worth it. How much lift do you have?

[Papa_Smurf2]

4" lift.....When I get new meats, I'm going to drop from 14.5's to 12.5's..that might have something to do with it too. We have thick, deep swampy mud here (that's where the boggers shine), but she gets used more for getting back into the woods and hauling deer.

[Your41Plague12]

With only 4" of lift I'm surprised you're breaking u-joints. seems like your axles might need shimmed properly. Do you have an all-spring lift? That might end up being your problem. Are you breaking u-joints at the t-case or at the pinion? Front or rear?

[Papa_Smurf2]

front at the transfer case

[Your41Plague12]

Definitely not going to like the transfer case drop then. That's the one place driveshaft angles get significantly worse with a drop. I'm not sure what's going on with yours, with my 6" I don't even really have problems. I don't wheel mine as hard or as often as it seems you do, but I've had it in a bind multiple times in snow up here, and I've had no problems once I got the correct crossmember in the truck.