How do you carry spare axle shafts?

[TLange]

I'm looking for advice to carry spare axle shafts. I have an 8.25 and D30. I want to carry one shaft for the 8.25, both inner shafts and one outer stub shaft for the D30.

I'm looking for advice on how to carry and securely strap down the shafts "inside" my XJ. I have thought of using PVC drain pipe but that can take up a lot of room considering the outside diameter of 6" pipe. I also thought of using a heavy assault rifle bag that would be large enough to zip around the hub.
My space is limited considering all the camping gear, tools, spare tire and other spare parts that I carry.

Got any ideas?

 

[GSequoia]

I've just bagged them in plastic (I attempt to keep grease from the carpet) and ratchet strapped the hell out of them, didn't shift much for me. I plan on coming up with a sexier solution, just haven't gotten to it yet.

 

[Jes]

both inner shafts and one outer stub shaft for the D30.

Why wouldn't you carry two complete D30 axle assemblies?!? To assemble an axle shaft on the trail is a total PITA and there's no reason not to carry a complete assembly.

Jes

 

[TLange]

Why wouldn't you carry two complete D30 axle assemblies?!? To assemble an axle shaft on the trail is a total PITA and there's no reason not to carry a complete assembly.

Jes

Space conservation. Besides, I carry a small u-joint press. It takes about 10 minutes for me to assemble a front shaft with this press.

 

[GSequoia]

But if the ears on the inner shafts of the 30 get mangled your a bit SOL....

 

[Jes]

Space conservation. Besides, I carry a small u-joint press. It takes about 10 minutes for me to assemble a front shaft with this press.

A stub shaft and u-joint takes up barely any room at all and a matter of fact a u-joint press is heavier and takes up more room. It takes me ten minutes to change a D30 axle shaft and every one I've broken looked like this...

Jes

 

[KY Chris]

Ideal clamp one of them to your hi lift, or stow the 30's underneath the back seat. I lay my spare down in the back with the seat folded down and put the shafts under the spare. Ratchet strap it all down well and go wheel.

 

[CRASH]

I carry my 8.8 shafts in 1.5" ABS pice. The pipe is secured with metal strap under a constructed floor where the back seat used to reside.

As Jes said, when you break a front shaft, you never break just one part.

The whole assembly frags. Put the shaft ends in some 1.25" pipe, and wrap the joint and yoke area with a rag and duct tape it all together.

It doesn't get much sexier than that.

CRASH

 

[GSequoia]

So is Dead Sexy Solutions a subsidiary of URF?

 

[TLange]

Thank You for all of your responses!

I do carry a complete front assembly including a bearing hub, it's just dissasembled. If I find a way to carry a complete assembly, I'll carry it that way. It is kind of cool to be able to replace a front shaft quickly when you have the bearing hub, inner and outer shafts already assembled. I've always used anti-seize so the hub bearings pop out easy. I've seen the ears get mangled too but I haven't done that yet. I've had two inner shafts "egg out" where the u-joint caps are pressed in.

I'll check under the back seat again but I have to leave the seat intact so my offspring can ride along. I carry the high lift on the front bumper. For now, I don't want to put any more weight on the front end by straping the axles to the high lift because the springs are a little soft and the rear springs are a little stiff, why does the word "cricket" come to mind? Adding more weight to the front may make my slightly stiff cricket problem a little worse.

Here's what I'm leaning towards:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=104508

I'm thinking that I could wrap the shafts in plastic so they don't stink up my interior beyond what the chili does that I always eat for lunch. Then I'll zip them up in this assault rifle bag. If there is enough room on the floor between the front seat and door I'll strap the bag to the seat bracket.

Of coarse if I get pulled over by law enforcement for some reason.... "What's in the bag, sonny?", "Axle shafts sir", "Ya right, face down hands behind your back and hold still while beat you with this night stick".

Any other ideas?

 

[Mike in NJ]

One more vote for under the back seat (when you don't need it) - of course, I made some more room by getting a junker seatback and removing the cushion. I substitute this for the regular seatback on major wheeling trips. When it folds down, gives me more room underneath (room for a spare set of hubs as well) and a flat floor above.

As far as padding goes - definitely a low-tech solution. Cut the legs off of old jeans to use as sleeves and stick the axle inside and just tape the ends shut. Old sweats would work as well.

Mike in NJ atriot: