Rigs with a narrowed front rockwell axle

FM5332FF · Mar 31, 2013

I have a narrowed front rockwell axle for my buggy and was wondering if anyone else is running a narrowed front. I've only seen a couple on the internet. I just wanted to get an idea of what I will have to do for my drive shaft. I will be running a 5.3 bolted to a Th400 and NP205. I also have a clocking plate for the 205.

halcat · Apr 1, 2013

I have a narrowed front Rockwell.
Good: the chunk is in the center and fits between the frame and you can keep your rig low.
One axle shaft fits either side for a spare.
That's about all the good, now the bad
Bad: can't run a 10" double ended ram, tie rods are to short and screws up the geometry of steering lock to lock .
HAve to run a two piece front drive shaft to clear auto trans pan
I have rear steer and the rear axle s standard. With hubs flipped in it's the same as the front with hubs flipped out. If you want to build a super narrow rig and are going to run a narrowed front with hubs flipped IN your ok, but if your wanting to build something the same as tons, I would rum standard width with hubs flipped in. you will just have to run less back spacing on your wheels. I wish I had a standard axle.

FM5332FF · Apr 1, 2013

Do you think it would be a good idea to set this axle to the side and get a full width and flip the hubs? By the looks of it it looks like it will be way easier for the drive shaft alignment with a full width.

badreligion_13 · Apr 1, 2013

FM5332FF said:
I have a narrowed front rockwell axle for my buggy and was wondering if anyone else is running a narrowed front. I've only seen a couple on the internet. I just wanted to get an idea of what I will have to do for my drive shaft. I will be running a 5.3 bolted to a Th400 and NP205. I also have a clocking plate for the 205.

You will likely be putting a two piece drive shaft in.. Most common technique is to remove 7 inches from the long side and run to short axles for inners. This tends to center the chunk... Other option is running a stub axle for a short side inner to move the chunk back over to one side...

halcat · Apr 1, 2013

I don't know what your building, if your using rear steer or not, don't know if you want low rig or standard you can make it work but I wish I had a standard width front. Good luck!

FM5332FF · Apr 1, 2013

I want to keep it as low as possible. The axle has already been narrowed, I got It for pretty cheap because it has no axle shafts and I was going to go with Ouversons. I plan on using a standard rear axle for now and In the future upgrade to rear steer. Here is a picure of my buggy.

halcat · Apr 1, 2013

As high as your frame rails are you should be able to keep your rig pretty low. overson short shafts are a little cheaper than long ones. Find some one that can do a two piece driveshaft and run a tie rod ad a good 10 in single ended ram and you'll be ok. I've had every kind of ram only front and have bent, broke, busted. And split all of them. I'm running a psc nw and even pulled the bolt holes out of the brackets. My rigs heave Andrade on steering parts . By the way, you got a great looking start, buggy looks really good.

ridered3 · Apr 1, 2013

halcat said:
As high as your frame rails are you should be able to keep your rig pretty low. overson short shahfts are a little cheaper than long ones. Find some one that can do a two piece driveshaft and run a tie rod ad a good 10 in single ended ram and you'll be ok. I've had every kind of ram only front and have bent, broke, busted. And split all of them. I'm running a psc nw and even pulled the bolt holes out of the brackets. My rigs heave Andrade on steering parts . By the way, you got a great looking start, buggy looks really good.

Can't believe you think you are hard on steering parts! This was a few years ago at a GMP rock race.

halcat · Apr 2, 2013

Of all the pictures you could post! I counted it all up, five rams, three tie rods , one set of double ended tie rods three pumps! Whew what a life.

Nuts · Apr 3, 2013

badreligion_13 said:
You will likely be putting a two piece drive shaft in.. Most common technique is to remove 7 inches from the long side and run to short axles for inners. This tends to center the chunk... Other option is running a stub axle for a short side inner to move the chunk back over to one side...

I don't have any shafts right in front of me, so how much does running a stub shaft for a short side inner narrow the short side?

ridered3 · Apr 3, 2013

halcat said:
Of all the pictures you could post! I counted it all up, five rams, three tie rods , one set of double ended tie rods three pumps! Whew what a life.

Yeah I figure its your favorite picture! Only have two pics of the jeep, but that's the only one showing the axle like that.

paradisepwoffrd · Apr 5, 2013

FM5332FF said:
I want to keep it as low as possible. The axle has already been narrowed, I got It for pretty cheap because it has no axle shafts and I was going to go with Ouversons. I plan on using a standard rear axle for now and In the future upgrade to rear steer. Here is a picure of my buggy.

if you are going to run std rear, you will need to run the rear hubs in and the front hubs out. That will put the front 3" wider then the rear. Otherwise you can shorten the stock rear, go rear steer, or run a std front.