How to widen the TLT axles with outer shafts?

[Bsmooth]

Toyo,

I noticed that issue with the stock drive cups, I added #10 washers to help fix that. I am also contemplating fishmouthing the drive cups perpendicular to the slot in the drive cup to get the maxximum ammount of steering travel. I don't know about the Blackfoot stubs, maybe someone who has em can give us the verdict.

[sicj]

Originally Posted by toyofast

How does the longer dogbone cup effect the turning radius and or pressures on the axle shaft when trying to turn? Are you "trimming" the extra portion down so it doesn't alter the turning radius or just leaving it?

Yeah they are slightly longer. I dodn't cut or shave them down. I really didn't notice a difference, but obviuosly there had to be a difference. I'll probably do it today. The extra width is great, cheapest way to widen the truck

[toyofast]

Another question(s) for those who have done this mod...since it's gained my intrest.

To me it seems like the added stress on the plastic TLT hubs will cause them to break early on, before they should. Has anyone noticed this to be the case?

Are you guys running bearings in the hubs, for those that have done this mod?

The washers or spacers that are needed to take up the extra space between the axle pin and the hub... What type of added friction will that cause to the hub, bearings or hex? Wouldn't a bearing be better suited to take up that extra space rather than a solid spacer or multipule washers?

Anyone have pics of this modification completely installed yet?

[jwrape]

Originally Posted by toyofast

Another question(s) for those who have done this mod...since it's gained my intrest.

To me it seems like the added stress on the plastic TLT hubs will cause them to break early on, before they should. Has anyone noticed this to be the case?

Are you guys running bearings in the hubs, for those that have done this mod?

The washers or spacers that are needed to take up the extra space between the axle pin and the hub... What type of added friction will that cause to the hub, bearings or hex? Wouldn't a bearing be better suited to take up that extra space rather than a solid spacer or multipule washers?

Anyone have pics of this modification completely installed yet?

Some extra stress can be assumed but being that the TLT is basically a light truckI don't think it will be extreme stress. Bearings are always better unless you are ORCRC and submerging the axles all the time. :-) The spacers, if they are the correct size will limit the stress by keeping the axle straight in the bushing housing.
Basically it shouldn't be too much stress.

[jwrape]

Originally Posted by toyofast

How does the longer dogbone cup effect the turning radius and or pressures on the axle shaft when trying to turn? Are you "trimming" the extra portion down so it doesn't alter the turning radius or just leaving it?







I see that someone has already shown that this can be done, by offering it as a kit:

http://www3.kcn.ne.jp/~tobee/English.htm

Funny, it took me looking through all of Towers Outer shafts to GUESS if these would fit, then all along there is someone else that already has the kit put together. But at least this way we know how to build the kit ourselves and cheaper. Cheaper is always better. I should get my shafts in the mail today or tomorrow.

[jwrape]

What are teh rubber o-rings for?

[jwrape]

c'mon man, you couldn't clean up the harry shaft before posting pics of it.

[sicj]

Originally Posted by toyofast

Another question(s) for those who have done this mod...since it's gained my intrest.

To me it seems like the added stress on the plastic TLT hubs will cause them to break early on, before they should. Has anyone noticed this to be the case?

Are you guys running bearings in the hubs, for those that have done this mod?

The washers or spacers that are needed to take up the extra space between the axle pin and the hub... What type of added friction will that cause to the hub, bearings or hex? Wouldn't a bearing be better suited to take up that extra space rather than a solid spacer or multipule washers?

Anyone have pics of this modification completely installed yet?

Well your not adding so many spacers that it will cause friction betweeen the hub and bearing. It's just like the stock setup were there is a very small amount of "wiggle room". At first I did add to many spacers that it locked the axle to the hub, not good. Also I don't run wheels that accept hexes, they only accept the pins (RPM Torkerz) so this mod is great for us that run those type of wheels.

I am running bearings in the hubs.

Of course it would add extra stress there's more length to torque on the hub, but not nearly as much as a widener.

I'll take a pic of them mounted up with the spacers. It's nothing exciting just some washers I also trimmed down the axle so I can turn more, I trimmed them farther that the stockers so I get a lot better turning now, it's not much but it needed it for sure.

[sicj]

OK here's the pics...


washers installed


shaved down axle for improved turning. You can see how close the dogbone pin comes to the edge of the axle at full lock.



In those pics the washers aren't compressed all the way together. When compressed there is a 1mm clearance between the washer and the axle pin.


stock axle


Un-modified new axle

New axle shaved down. Much more clearance

[CustomCrawler]

Thanks for the trick. I'm ordering the parts right now.

Edit: Tower is out of stock on the axles. They say they will be in March