Front axle is now rear

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I guess I did it mostly for the challenge Turned this 1991 F-Super Duty into a trailer so I figured I'd pull out the rear axle since it's good and has all new brake hardware. Anyone in the market for a 10 lug Dana 80 ??Anyway, had to make a 6 inch lift so I'd have the same ride height with the axle swap. I cut the original rear U-bolts shorter and re-threaded them for re-use. Attached Images
Reply:How did you lock the steering down in the right position to make it stay tracking true and straight? ... I have an ' 86 F250 that is part of a project and would love to be able to lock the wheels in place straight ...I have been there, done that ... I have taken the scars and left the smiles to prove it ...  U.S. Marine extraordinaire ...Wars fought, tigers tamed, revolutions started, bars emptied, alligators castrated ...
Reply:I’ve only done step 1 in that area so far, which was to measure diagonally across the axle from the outer tie rods to a symmetrical point on the axle. On this axle I measured from the left tie rod bolt to the right “U-bolt” center and from the right tie rod bolt to the left “U-bolt” center. After those two measurements were equal I locked the steering linkage tie rod into a bracket I made which is part of the 6 inch lift. Step 2 is to go back and make corrections to the measurements since they moved slightly when I tightened in the steering tie rod. To adjust I simply turn the adjuster nut on the steering tie rod that’s now bolted in the bracket.  Step 3 is to pull it down a quiet street and make further fine adjustments as determined by it’s behavior. Attached Images
Reply:I wonder if taking it to a shop for a front end alignment would work ...I have been there, done that ... I have taken the scars and left the smiles to prove it ...  U.S. Marine extraordinaire ...Wars fought, tigers tamed, revolutions started, bars emptied, alligators castrated ...
Reply:Hmmm... just for fun I'm gonna call a local shop and ask if they can do a front end alignment on my rear end There's really not much to align on a straight axle like these. The caster/camber is "fixed" so that just leaves the "toe in/toe out". Right now the toe will be set "in" and ideally it should be set to a "neutral" position (neither in nor out) for a rear trailering axle. When I get it out on the road for "step 3 alignment" I'll let you know how well or not it behaved. I should be able to test it out this weekend.
Reply:nice! a trailer with a transfer tank.handler 187hobart air-force 625one old azz lincon cracker box
Reply:Originally Posted by markfugaHmmm... just for fun I'm gonna call a local shop and ask if they can do a front end alignment on my rear end
Reply:Am I the only one who's thinking rear steering for those tight corners?
Reply:Originally Posted by markfugaHmmm... just for fun I'm gonna call a local shop and ask if they can do a front end alignment on my rear end There's really not much to align on a straight axle like these. The caster/camber is "fixed" so that just leaves the "toe in/toe out". Right now the toe will be set "in" and ideally it should be set to a "neutral" position (neither in nor out) for a rear trailering axle. When I get it out on the road for "step 3 alignment" I'll let you know how well or not it behaved. I should be able to test it out this weekend.
Reply:On axles which have tie rod ends and things like that with some play....Toe In is put there so that when the wheel rotating mass is  revolving they will be straight in line... having pulled the slight amount of play in those items out... whether the ' toe in' is set at the front of the wheels or the back depends on where which side the tie rod ends connect to...  So the correct ' toe in' gets you to neutral when moving....Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:It's mostly complete and usable at this point, just a couple "loose ends" with the generator to finish up. Tested it out today and it rolls around fine. I mounted the "rear tires" on the "front axle" inverse to give a wider stance. The bucket gets 30' off the ground which is more than what I need to do a little maintenance around the house and shop. I plan to make a pair of "drop and pin" stabilizers on the outer part of the bucket lift frame to hold it more steady when turning the pedestal. Going straight up 30' was rock solid. Now it's time to put on some coveralls and grab a paint brush, it's going to be a long spring  Attached Images
Reply:I'm sure you will do what you feel comfortable with, but I gotta say, if it was me, I'd have 4 serious stabilizers, with long enough reach to offset that arm.They expect those to be attached to something quite a bit heavier than that frame.Be safe!
Reply:Yeah, it does look reckless and dangerous, but the trick is to pull along side the building real close so I only need to go straight up, no turning to the side. I wanted to rebuild the truck but it was just too far gone from rust and I didn't want to put the money or time into it. I took it up the full 30' today and "bounced it around" a little. It's very sturdy despite the appearnce.