Confused? E-mail your questions about trucks, 4x4's, and off-roading tech using "Nuts, I'm confused" as the subject and include a picture (if it's applicable). Digital photos must measure no less than 1600 x 1200 pixels (or two megapixels) and be saved as a TIFF, an EPS, or a maximum-quality JPEG file. Also, I'll be checking the forums on our Web site (www.4wheeloffroad.com), and if I see a question that I think more of you might want to have answered, I'll print that as well. Otherwise drop it old-school style with the envelope addressed to the address below. Letters published in this magazine reflect the opinions of the writers, and we reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, or other purposes.
Write to:
Nuts & Bolts
4-Wheel & Off-Road
6420 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048-5515
fax 323.782.2704
E-mail to:
nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Question: I have a '71 Ford Ranchero that I was looking to put a lift kit and new wheels and rims on. I know it's an unusual vehicle to do this to, so I was wondering if you or any of your staff knew what kind of kit to use.
Jeremie B
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: The Ford Ranchero, though a sweet ride, was never offered in four-wheel drive. From 1969 to 1970 they were unibody and from 1970 on they were based on a Ford Torino car frame. Unfortunately there are no suspension kits available for them, though I have seen some custom 4x4 versions built by home fabricators.
Question: In your Tech Letter of the Month (May '07) you tell the gentleman building his YJ to put a Detroit in his 14-bolt full-floater axle. There is nothing wrong with that but my question is...
Since it is a cheap Jeep, would it not be more cost effective to weld the 14-bolt's diff? With the presumed 36-inch tires, he is never going to break it. Then with the free locker you guys gave him, he could get a nice selectable locker for that D 44. That way he can benefit from a locked front axle but maintain the flexibility of a selectable locker in the rear and not have to go with a hydro-assist steer or worse, full hydro.
Mike
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Excellent point. Welding the differential is a time-honored way to build a budget locker, especially in a strong axle like a Corporate 14-bolt. However, there are some inherent issues with the welded axle. Inside an open differential is a set of spider gears and side gears that allow the two axleshafts to turn at different speeds when the truck is turning. Many folks simply weld all these gears together and make what is known as a Lincoln Locker since a Lincoln welder is often used. This result is a homemade spool that no longer allows the axleshafts to turn at different speeds around corners and often results in more tire wear as well as tires that chirp or bark when turning. Plus it puts excessive wear and tear on the shafts, gears, and bearings.
Additionally the gears of the differential are made of hardened steel and welding them can be tricky. That being said, I think the spool or Lincoln locker can work great in a dedicated off-road vehicle, and some people even like them better than aftermarket lockers. One of the biggest concerns, however, is that if the weld breaks, it can release small metal chips into the differential and ruin gears, bearings, and seals.
Question: I have seen a lot of these rockbuggies perform a maneuver known as a "front dig" where they use the front tires only to pull the buggies around and make sharp turns. I want to be able to do a front-wheel-drive-only front dig with my '85 Toyota pickup. What can I do? My stock transfer case has an adapter for dual low-range boxes, but I still can't do front-wheel drive only. Is there a way to modify it so I can drive on the front axle only?
Gerald Nester
via www.4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: I have the same problem with my '86 Toyota with dual cases. So far I have found three options available. Trail Tough (877.789.8547) has a rear axle disconnect available for both Toyotas and Suzukis that attaches to the back of the transfer case, which in effect allows front-wheel drive only. It is based off of a driveshaft disconnect often used in cars or trucks that are towed by motorhomes. I have heard positive feedback on the performance of these except under very extreme use. Another option is an adapter from OTT Industries (604.324.6883) or Advance Adapters (800.350.2223) which allows adapting a Dana 300 or Atlas transfer case to the back of the Toyota low-range box. I like this idea because of the strength of these two cases, plus the Dana 300 has a lot of upgrades available. Another option is the rumored Toyota transfer case coming soon from Marlin Crawler (559.252.7295). Owner Marlin Czajkowski is a Toyota guru and has been developing a replacement transfer case for Toyota mini-trucks and 4Runners that will supposedly have front-wheel drive-only capabilities. I'm not sure when it will be ready, but if you're a Toyota die-hard, this would be the case to have.