material selection for axle truss?

[Jeepin Jason]

Dunno if this qualifies for this forum or not, but... I'm looking at adding a truss to my rear D44 when I finally get around to finishing my traction bar project, and I was wondering what size/type of material you guys would recommend? Right now I've got a piece of 1 1/4" pipe (I don't know offhand what type though), I think it's 1.66 O.D, a little over 1 5/8", that was originally the center hoop of a prerunner light bar on my old front bumper. I've already cut the ends and bottom to fit the axle, and it's pretty much the perfect size and shape to fit the housing btwn the spring perches, I just don't know if it's worth using, or if I should go some other route (like buy some DOM tube or something). I'm not going to be running links off the truss, just tying my traction bar brackets into it. I may also do some type of "ear" off my diff cover that ties into the truss, kinda like how the PSC RockRings do.

Here's a pic of the prerunner bar when I had it on my bumper, I'd be using the center hoop for the truss, and it's cut to sit upright on the axle of course.

 

[BrettM]

It will work well. Pipe generally doesn't have quite the tensile strength that HREW or DOM has, but with the greater wall thickness you will be fine.

I made my truss (which also mounts my 3 link) with 1.25 schd 80 (1.66 OD, and about 1/4 wall):

 

[Uglygreenxj]

I just finished up mine. I used 1.5" .120 wall round tube.

 

[Jeepin Jason]

NICE. That's almost exactly what mine will look like when I'm done. What disc kit is that?

 

[Mr.OverKill]

NICE. That's almost exactly what mine will look like when I'm done. What disc kit is that?

same question in his PM box from me

 

[Uglygreenxj]

NICE. That's almost exactly what mine will look like when I'm done. What disc kit is that?

I used Dana 30 front rotors from a 94 YJ and calipers and bolt-on caliper brackets from an 89 XJ. I fabbed up my own brackets to weld onto the tubes to mount the caliper brackets to. I had to get longer wheel studs also.

I just finished trussing my front 30 and building a bracket to raise my trackbar too.

 

[Jump This]

David....Hal wants his jack stands back!

 

[Uglygreenxj]

David....Hal wants his jack stands back!

I bet he does!
:shhh:

 

[JP]

Can youmake that D30 picture a little bigger? Rear truss looks sweet.

 

[Uglygreenxj]

Can youmake that D30 picture a little bigger? Rear truss looks sweet.

I can't seem to figure out how to resize the photos smaller. I'm still excited that I got them to work at all!

Dave

 

[waxer]

I just finished up mine. I used 1.5" .120 wall round tube.

Got any other pics of that truss, specifically where it attaches or comes near the diff cover?

Thanks

 

[Uglygreenxj]

Got any other pics of that truss, specifically where it attaches or comes near the diff cover?

Thanks

I can go take one and post it up.

Dave

 

[waxer]

thanks bro, I would appreciate that. I just acquired my D44 rear and I was mocking up some designs for the truss. I like how yours seems to attach to the diff cover.

 

[Uglygreenxj]

thanks bro, I would appreciate that. I just acquired my D44 rear and I was mocking up some designs for the truss. I like how yours seems to attach to the diff cover.

Here you go, the rock ring is from Poison Spider if that helps. The pic is huge again unfortunately. I'll figure it out eventually!

Dave

 

[egon]

I used 2.5"x2.5"x3/16" square tubing and goes from spring perch to spring perch. The tubing was notched, bent over the diff, then welded back together. I have a GreatLakes diff cover so I welded a 3/8" bracket to the top of the cover and bolted the cover to the truss. Simple, beefy, and functional. Pictures are on the home PC, I'll post them later.

--Matt

 

[TrailHunter]

I just picked up some 1.75X.188 DOM to do some crossmember and truss work. I shouldn't have to worry about tabs ripping off the tube at that wall thickness.

 

[jeep_87_cherokee]

i used 1/2" in thick by 3" wide flat bar on my front thirty, just placed it in the vice where i wanted to bend it, heated it up, put a cresent wrench on the end for added leverage, and pulled it to the desired angle. all i have in the truss are $10 for the steel. i think it would be hard for a link tab to rip off or there, but then agian- its hard to stop spending money on my heep!

 

[Mr.OverKill]

i am cutting some 2"x4" 1/4" tubing diagonaly and welding it to my D44 shapeing it to the dif for my truss and will be doing some notching for lines and weight reduction ( like my junk needs it LOL...) i will take some pics as i go along.

 

[xj92]

i am cutting some 2"x4" 1/4" tubing diagonaly and welding it to my D44 shapeing it to the dif for my truss and will be doing some notching for lines and weight reduction ( like my junk needs it LOL...) i will take some pics as i go along.

Do you have pics of this? How did it/is it turning out? This is what I'm planning, I'm just trying to decide whether to have everything sit flush with the top of the pumpkin, or to have everything connect maybe 1" on top of the pumpkin.

 

[Cruzin Illusion]

Look into TNT's Rear Dana 44 Truss. You can't go wrong.
http://www.tntcustoms.com/webv5/reartruss.asp