Differential girdle construction
10-03-2010, 12:54 AM
#21
I got the diff cover in today and started welding up the ears. I mad a jig to ease with the process, it is really paying off too. I already have one of the ears almost done, I just need to box it in with a 1/4" plate on top. Then I'll do the other one and then start the torque arm.
When I get the process down, I should be able to crank these things out pretty quickly.
BTW, this diff cover is BEEFY. The mounting plate is 1/2" thick, the stamped cover is 3/8" thick. Pretty nice piece for $120!
When I get the process down, I should be able to crank these things out pretty quickly.
BTW, this diff cover is BEEFY. The mounting plate is 1/2" thick, the stamped cover is 3/8" thick. Pretty nice piece for $120!
10-03-2010, 08:31 AM
#22
I got the diff cover in today and started welding up the ears. I mad a jig to ease with the process, it is really paying off too. I already have one of the ears almost done, I just need to box it in with a 1/4" plate on top. Then I'll do the other one and then start the torque arm.
When I get the process down, I should be able to crank these things out pretty quickly.
BTW, this diff cover is BEEFY. The mounting plate is 1/2" thick, the stamped cover is 3/8" thick. Pretty nice piece for $120!
When I get the process down, I should be able to crank these things out pretty quickly.
BTW, this diff cover is BEEFY. The mounting plate is 1/2" thick, the stamped cover is 3/8" thick. Pretty nice piece for $120!
10-03-2010, 11:38 AM
#23
I don't think anyone with a cobra has experienced the back cover ripping out. Most people just have the back cover shatter from torque. Considering how much stronger this piece is than the paper thin aluminum rear cover, I don't think this is going to happen.
The 8.8 is a strong unit, I don't think I've heard of anyone with an 8.8 where the actual case failed besides the back cover.
The 8.8 is a strong unit, I don't think I've heard of anyone with an 8.8 where the actual case failed besides the back cover.
10-04-2010, 11:05 AM
#26
I don't think anyone with a cobra has experienced the back cover ripping out. Most people just have the back cover shatter from torque. Considering how much stronger this piece is than the paper thin aluminum rear cover, I don't think this is going to happen.
The 8.8 is a strong unit, I don't think I've heard of anyone with an 8.8 where the actual case failed besides the back cover.
The 8.8 is a strong unit, I don't think I've heard of anyone with an 8.8 where the actual case failed besides the back cover.
Are you doing all welding and fab work yourself?
It looks good
10-04-2010, 11:21 AM
#27
The basic cover is purchased as a rock crawler piece and I'm welding some mounts on it myself.
When I go into production, I'll probably be using some more robust metal stock for the ears (something like 2"x1/2" bar stock) instead of this C channel I had lying around. Even so, this thing is already essentially bomb proof. I don't see it being possible to break it.
When I go into production, I'll probably be using some more robust metal stock for the ears (something like 2"x1/2" bar stock) instead of this C channel I had lying around. Even so, this thing is already essentially bomb proof. I don't see it being possible to break it.
10-04-2010, 04:33 PM
#29
I just wanted to say WOW on your fab work.....coming from a little rockcrawling background I recognized the cover...or I thought. I saw ALOT of backyard/shadetree fab work through the years. Do you do this stuff for a living? Must have nice facilities to do this quality of work in.
10-04-2010, 05:13 PM
#30
I just wanted to say WOW on your fab work.....coming from a little rockcrawling background I recognized the cover...or I thought. I saw ALOT of backyard/shadetree fab work through the years. Do you do this stuff for a living? Must have nice facilities to do this quality of work in.
10-04-2010, 05:38 PM
#31
I'm actually a software developer. I do this kind of stuff for fun. I have a smallish house with a 1 car garage that I've rigged to be a pretty decent fabrication shop (about as good as a 1 car garage can be!). Right now, my tools consist of a drill press, an 80gal air compressor, a chinese Everlast Powermaster 205 ac/dc tig welder wth plasma cutter, various angle grinders, hand tools, air tools, etc and a 4'x8' heavy duty work table. Pretty shade tree if you ask me
10-04-2010, 09:55 PM
#34
I haven't decided yet, I'll have to get ever part tallied up before I make that decision. It will definitely be cheaper than the 9" solution floating around, mostly because the 8.8 is much cheaper to source and will require less modification and custom fabrication to get in place. An 8.8 is almost as strong as the 9", so it won't be that bad of a compromise.
Last edited by killernoodle; 10-05-2010 at 09:33 AM.
10-05-2010, 09:48 AM
#37
As for the axles, I'll have Driveshaft Shop make them. They already make some beefy axles for the V and the cobra, a mixmash of their parts would easily make some axles for us. They look modular, they all use the porsche style cv joints which have bolt on axle stubs. Plus they are pretty much right down the road from me. I'm in Charlotte, NC.
10-05-2010, 10:24 AM
#39
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I think we might be able to retan the stock driveshaft, I would just need an adapter machined to accept the pinion's bolt pattern of the 8.8 with the V's bolt pattern.
As for the axles, I'll have Driveshaft Shop make them. They already make some beefy axles for the V and the cobra, a mixmash of their parts would easily make some axles for us. They look modular, they all use the porsche style cv joints which have bolt on axle stubs. Plus they are pretty much right down the road from me. I'm in Charlotte, NC.
As for the axles, I'll have Driveshaft Shop make them. They already make some beefy axles for the V and the cobra, a mixmash of their parts would easily make some axles for us. They look modular, they all use the porsche style cv joints which have bolt on axle stubs. Plus they are pretty much right down the road from me. I'm in Charlotte, NC.
I'm guessing if/when you sell this it would come as a kit including the diff cover, front mounting bracket, DS adapter and axles? The customer would source their own 8.8 and have it loaded with whatever gear and posi they want.
10-05-2010, 12:04 PM
#40
Sounds like you have all your bases covered, I'll be watching for updates!
I'm guessing if/when you sell this it would come as a kit including the diff cover, front mounting bracket, DS adapter and axles? The customer would source their own 8.8 and have it loaded with whatever gear and posi they want.
I'm guessing if/when you sell this it would come as a kit including the diff cover, front mounting bracket, DS adapter and axles? The customer would source their own 8.8 and have it loaded with whatever gear and posi they want.