DIY simple axle truss?

[blnewt]

Picked up a M220 w/ LSD from a Sport, since I have the axle off the Jeep I was thinking of just welding up a simple angle iron truss. Just wondering if this would be a decent plan. I have a MIG welder and can fab the truss from 2" (1/4" thick) angle iron.

I was just thinking I could run the angle iron (w/ the V point up) from just inside the breather tube angled up, then flat over the pumpkin then back down again in approx the same distance on the drivers side as that breather tube area on the passenger side.

I don't feel good about welding into the cast center section so I figure a good welding contact area on both sides without contact in that pumpkin area should still provide improved strength in that area that's prone to bending a few inches outward of the pumpkin. Should only cost about $30 in materials so I figure it's a decent little project.

Would appreciate any feedback, I'm not trying to make this thing King of the hammers rugged, but I figure a little time spent here may be worthwhile. I already welded up LCA skids on the axle and have fab'd my own full steel skids for the Jeep so it's stuff I like to do

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[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

Picked up a M220 w/ LSD from a Sport, since I have the axle off the Jeep I was thinking of just welding up a simple angle iron truss. Just wondering if this would be a decent plan. I have a MIG welder and can fab the truss from 2" (1/4" thick) angle iron.

I was just thinking I could run the angle iron (w/ the V point up) from just inside the breather tube angled up, then flat over the pumpkin then back down again in approx the same distance on the drivers side as that breather tube area on the passenger side.

I don't feel good about welding into the cast center section so I figure a good welding contact area on both sides without contact in that pumpkin area should still provide improved strength in that area that's prone to bending a few inches outward of the pumpkin. Should only cost about $30 in materials so I figure it's a decent little project.

Would appreciate any feedback, I'm not trying to make this thing King of the hammers rugged, but I figure a little time spent here may be worthwhile. I already welded up LCA skids on the axle and have fab'd my own full steel skids for the Jeep so it's stuff I like to do

I dont plan on sending it or jumping anything. The only thing I did to my axles were chromoly axle shafts in the rear, RCVs/Reid knuckles/Dynatrac BJs up front and regeared. I rather go 60/80s than truss and bashing on my D44s. My $.02.

But....If youre okay with welding, it cant hurt while its out.

 

[blnewt]

I dont plan on sending it or jumping anything. The only thing I did to my axles were chromoly axle shafts in the rear, RCVs/Reid knuckles/Dynatrac BJs up front and regeared. I rather go 60/80s than truss and bashing on my D44s. My $.02.

But....If youre okay with welding, it cant hurt while its out.

Yeah Z, if money was flying into my wallet the 60/80 plan would be balla! I don't plan to bash my D44 but seems simple enough to add a bit of insurance while it's easy to get the welds on while it's just sitting out in the sun
Sounds like you've been busy w/ your axles, NICE!

 

[Gregj]

IDK, I don’t know how much extra strength you would gain from angle iron but there are options available for a little more money that are engineered to fit and work. One example is https://www.artecindustries.com/jlapexrtruss?amp=1

I wouldn’t worry too much about welding on the cast center section, just apply some preheat with a torch, even map gas would work,

Gregj

 

[c20040215]

I wouldn't use angle iron if a purposed built truss kit is fairly affordable. The artec one is designed to give you the maximum strength with minimum welding that could warp the tube during the process.

Truss is a good idea and cheap way to strengthen the axle when it's done right and it's always the right move doing it when you already have it off the jeep. I would go with artec if I were you. I had the front kit burnt in while I did the re gear. How much stronger does it provide? I don't know, not even artec could tell you but it give me a peace of mind.

 

[CarbonSteel]

@blnewt - like others have said, go for the Artec, it is purpose built and really inexpensive.

The most important thing for this is proper pre and post heat else the welds will crack or will have improper penetration.

 

[Chance_P]

People make a big deal about welding to the cast but let me tell you, just crank it up, weld, and wrap it in a blanket to slow the cooling. Thats all I did with my front and rear trusses and have no issues.

Buy the Artec truss, its worth it.

 

[CarbonSteel]

People make a big deal about welding to the cast but let me tell you, just crank it up, weld, and wrap it in a blanket to slow the cooling. Thats all I did with my front and rear trusses and have no issues.

Buy the Artec truss, its worth it.

So you did not pre-heat it?

 

[grimmjeeper]

I did the Artec truss with other upgrades. The kit fit really well and it was an easy upgrade. Just plan for the Jeep to be down a couple of days if you're doing it yourself.

I know I have a face for radio and a voice for print but we published some video of the process.

 

[blnewt]

I did the Artec truss with other upgrades. The kit fit really well and it was an easy upgrade. Just plan for the Jeep to be down a couple of days if you're doing it yourself.

I know I have a face for radio and a voice for print but we published some video of the process.

That's a great series of videos, thanks for posting, and for those that haven't seen them, very worthwhile!

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