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As most have probably seen, I recently had an axle bearing break. I have been running 31 spline axles in my stock small bearing housing since 2008. Given the history of several members here having the same failure happen (in some cases several times over) I am having a hard time with the idea of simply pressing on new bearings and running them (for very long).
Before this turns into a "go full width" session, I am set on staying with EB width for a variety of reasons.
Goal is to switch to a large bearing housing. I am looking pretty seriously at The Currie CE-FDB6677X housing assembly. Price is $1130. Includes new shafts which I will need anyway since my 31 spline shafts apparently have a different bearing spacing than BB housings do. Having just disassembled my axle, I already know that I won't really want to do this twice.
Having just spent the past hour searching this site for information, I am pretty convinced that I will stay with drum brakes. Jamesroney set forth a pretty convincing argument here in favor of drums, and I don't really want to alter anything else in this project anyway. For reference
Currie will add the 11" drum brakes for $349.95 - a little pricey but that includes everything I need, brand new.
1) Does this seem like a reasonable deal (since everything will come all at once), or should I hit the junk yards and see if I can find the drums that I need?
2) What vehicles other than 70s model F150s/FS Broncos may be a donor? I have not seen 70s donors in the yards in ages - very few and far between.
Next topic - armor. I have been running the James Duff skid plate under my rear diff since 2009. It has served me very well and protected my pinion. It does hang a little lower than I'd like, but it acts kind of like a third tire and I almost never get hung up because of it - it seems to help me glide off of stuff.
Wild Horses sells a weld on piece but their description makes it sound like it's not ready to run - ie... you have to weld a little, beat on it, weld a little more, beat more, etc until it fits. Does anybody have experience with this first hand? Is it that bad? I am not a fan of parts that require brute force modification. Is there a better option? Not wanting to shave a brand new housing, but not finding many options.
Pinion guard - I plan to add one of the bolt on guards if I make a switch.
Next topic - trusses. I tend to think for my purposes I won't need one, but it is easier to add one now than later. Money well spent, or unnecessary "bling"?
Sorry for the novel. Just collecting data. I want to get this thing back together once and for all.
I will have my small bearing housing, 31 spline shafts, brakes in good shape, and possibly some 28 spline shafts available for sale once all is said and done...
Before this turns into a "go full width" session, I am set on staying with EB width for a variety of reasons.
Goal is to switch to a large bearing housing. I am looking pretty seriously at The Currie CE-FDB6677X housing assembly. Price is $1130. Includes new shafts which I will need anyway since my 31 spline shafts apparently have a different bearing spacing than BB housings do. Having just disassembled my axle, I already know that I won't really want to do this twice.
Having just spent the past hour searching this site for information, I am pretty convinced that I will stay with drum brakes. Jamesroney set forth a pretty convincing argument here in favor of drums, and I don't really want to alter anything else in this project anyway. For reference
Currie will add the 11" drum brakes for $349.95 - a little pricey but that includes everything I need, brand new.
1) Does this seem like a reasonable deal (since everything will come all at once), or should I hit the junk yards and see if I can find the drums that I need?
2) What vehicles other than 70s model F150s/FS Broncos may be a donor? I have not seen 70s donors in the yards in ages - very few and far between.
Next topic - armor. I have been running the James Duff skid plate under my rear diff since 2009. It has served me very well and protected my pinion. It does hang a little lower than I'd like, but it acts kind of like a third tire and I almost never get hung up because of it - it seems to help me glide off of stuff.
Wild Horses sells a weld on piece but their description makes it sound like it's not ready to run - ie... you have to weld a little, beat on it, weld a little more, beat more, etc until it fits. Does anybody have experience with this first hand? Is it that bad? I am not a fan of parts that require brute force modification. Is there a better option? Not wanting to shave a brand new housing, but not finding many options.
Pinion guard - I plan to add one of the bolt on guards if I make a switch.
Next topic - trusses. I tend to think for my purposes I won't need one, but it is easier to add one now than later. Money well spent, or unnecessary "bling"?
Sorry for the novel. Just collecting data. I want to get this thing back together once and for all.
I will have my small bearing housing, 31 spline shafts, brakes in good shape, and possibly some 28 spline shafts available for sale once all is said and done...
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