nudewheeler
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Howdy Folks -
Just threw on a 4" lift kit assembled by ORD. My kit was composed of:
and all the other jazz for a lift. Important to note, I chose to throw new springs under each corner.
Chose a comprehensive setup of a basic 4" lift for my first "lift a truck" project. Didn't want to get a new driveshaft for the rear or troubleshoot any driveline vibrations.
So, after throwing the lift on, took it for a spin around the block and definitely introduced a considerable driveline vibration. The vibration was interesting (my first lifted truck, so this is all quite new). It was not speed dependent, but rather appeared during acceleration. The vibration/shutter occurred at the same frequency regardless of speed or acceleration. Magnitude of the vibration/shutter does however increase with increasing acceleration. The magnitude of vibration was significant enough to jingle the keys hanging in the ignition. Let off the gas at any time and the vibrations stopped immediately.
Took some time to digest the problem. Did some reading, called some people and after some driveline measurements, it was apparent the pinion angle raised some concern.
The pinion was not pointing ~ 3-4* higher than the output shaft of the transfer case. OK great, throw some shims under this sucker and all should be solved. That was the plan at least.
Picked up 2.5* and 4* shims for the experiment. Threw the 2.5* in first with the large part of the wedge facing the front of the vehicle to kick the pinion down towards the ground in attempts to match the plane of the pinion and t-case output shaft. Took it out for a spin and the vibration/shutter definitely reduced in magnitude while maintaining the same frequency as before. Also as before, when I let off the gas at any point the vibration/shutter ceased immediately.
Ok, this didn't solve the problem entirely. Took a measure of things and found the pinion still pointing up ~1 or so degrees from the t-case output shaft. Time for the 4* shims.
These didn't really seem to make much difference. The pinion is now pointing ~1-2* below the plan of the t-case output shaft, the recommended setup by all driveline documentation I have been able to soak up from the internet in the past week (driveline 101, pirate 4x4, 4xshaft etc etc).
With the 4* shims. angles at both Ujoints are a bit concerning. Currently I believe there is about 20* of angle between the t-case and driveshaft and 23* between driveshaft and pinion. Angles >20* also raise concern for Ujoints from my understanding. Driveshaft appears to still be adequate engagement at the slip, but it has definitely been reduced.
For the past two weeks I've been reading and mulling over this problem. My only surefire conclusion is to get a double cardan (CV) driveshaft and a transfer case with a slip yoke eliminator kit (SYE). This def. wasn't in the plan of the project. And, my wallet doesn't like diets.
This has been the solution I've spent the most time digesting. May have a lead on an NP241 with a SYE kit installed. Then I'll just need a double cardan driveshaft. But this whole setup is at least $750, and that's a chunk.
Now, I understand this whole idea of the transfer case lowering kit/shimming as well. Honestly, I am not really interested in stressing the motor mounts and possibly introducing new driveline problems with the front driveshaft. This could be part of my solution, but I am just not that interested in doing this.
I am really curious:
How have other folks solved any driveline vibrations introduced with a basic 4" lift kit?
All experience/advice/help welcomed and thanked in advance.
Just threw on a 4" lift kit assembled by ORD. My kit was composed of:
- 4" lift springs by tuff country for the rear
- 4" HD lift springs by tuff country for the front
- ORD HD front shackles (yes, these deserve a BAMF stamp)
- greasable components for all moving joints of the suspension
- raised steering arm
- sway bar disconnect kit
- brake lines
and all the other jazz for a lift. Important to note, I chose to throw new springs under each corner.
Chose a comprehensive setup of a basic 4" lift for my first "lift a truck" project. Didn't want to get a new driveshaft for the rear or troubleshoot any driveline vibrations.
So, after throwing the lift on, took it for a spin around the block and definitely introduced a considerable driveline vibration. The vibration was interesting (my first lifted truck, so this is all quite new). It was not speed dependent, but rather appeared during acceleration. The vibration/shutter occurred at the same frequency regardless of speed or acceleration. Magnitude of the vibration/shutter does however increase with increasing acceleration. The magnitude of vibration was significant enough to jingle the keys hanging in the ignition. Let off the gas at any time and the vibrations stopped immediately.
Took some time to digest the problem. Did some reading, called some people and after some driveline measurements, it was apparent the pinion angle raised some concern.
The pinion was not pointing ~ 3-4* higher than the output shaft of the transfer case. OK great, throw some shims under this sucker and all should be solved. That was the plan at least.
Picked up 2.5* and 4* shims for the experiment. Threw the 2.5* in first with the large part of the wedge facing the front of the vehicle to kick the pinion down towards the ground in attempts to match the plane of the pinion and t-case output shaft. Took it out for a spin and the vibration/shutter definitely reduced in magnitude while maintaining the same frequency as before. Also as before, when I let off the gas at any point the vibration/shutter ceased immediately.
Ok, this didn't solve the problem entirely. Took a measure of things and found the pinion still pointing up ~1 or so degrees from the t-case output shaft. Time for the 4* shims.
These didn't really seem to make much difference. The pinion is now pointing ~1-2* below the plan of the t-case output shaft, the recommended setup by all driveline documentation I have been able to soak up from the internet in the past week (driveline 101, pirate 4x4, 4xshaft etc etc).
With the 4* shims. angles at both Ujoints are a bit concerning. Currently I believe there is about 20* of angle between the t-case and driveshaft and 23* between driveshaft and pinion. Angles >20* also raise concern for Ujoints from my understanding. Driveshaft appears to still be adequate engagement at the slip, but it has definitely been reduced.
For the past two weeks I've been reading and mulling over this problem. My only surefire conclusion is to get a double cardan (CV) driveshaft and a transfer case with a slip yoke eliminator kit (SYE). This def. wasn't in the plan of the project. And, my wallet doesn't like diets.
This has been the solution I've spent the most time digesting. May have a lead on an NP241 with a SYE kit installed. Then I'll just need a double cardan driveshaft. But this whole setup is at least $750, and that's a chunk.
Now, I understand this whole idea of the transfer case lowering kit/shimming as well. Honestly, I am not really interested in stressing the motor mounts and possibly introducing new driveline problems with the front driveshaft. This could be part of my solution, but I am just not that interested in doing this.
I am really curious:
How have other folks solved any driveline vibrations introduced with a basic 4" lift kit?
- basic and conventional pinion shimming did the trick?
- shimmed in an unconventional way to point the pinion UP towards the driveshaft, minimizing angle at the pinion Ujoint?
- transfer case drop?
- Or, did the basic 4" call for a double cardan driveshaft and a SYE kit?
All experience/advice/help welcomed and thanked in advance.
<--ME
