Re: new guy, rear- mounted tie rod

["Runar Sigurjonsson" <runar@xxxxxxxxx>]

Why don't you guys just swap in a 80'series front end..?
Its stronger.  Strong is good. :)
Wider.  No need for stud breaking spacers to make your truck track itself,
no spacers means better steering geometry...  More stabillity, etc...   :)
High pinnion diff.  Better front driveshaft angle. :)
Electric locker.  From the factory. :)
King-size birfields.  No need for a expensive Marfield. :)
King-size brakes.  So you can drive faster...:)
Rear mounted tie-rod. You bend something else when you hit that rock :)
Its also coil spring ready, but can probably also be used with the historic
leaf packs....:)

Needs a very expensive 4.88 ratio.....:(

Cheers
Runsi.
(far away, in a safe distance....)

p.s. it has been done.
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Date: Thu, 02 Mar 2000 08:41:09 -0500
From: "Karl Bellve, Ph.D." <Karl.Bellve@umassmed.edu>
Subject: Re: new guy, rear- mounted tie rod

Marlin tried this and said it couldn't work.
First, you need a high pinion diff to make it work. The second problem
is the size of the mini-truck arms. They are too short. The FJ80 arms
won't fit on the minitruck axle. Another problem might be that the diff
is too close to the knuckle on the passenger side, causing interference
with the arm. The FJ80 has an extra 3" on room there. But, you could try
it. Marlin could be wrong. he was wrong about the high pinion electric
diff not working in a minitruck axle.