driveline length and problems with the lift.......

[mdalbertson87]

so ive been working at a slow and steady pace for my truck, saving up money and fixing what i can. started tear down on the stock suspension to make room for the 4 inch lift i got for free(spring front, block rear) and noticed a few problems....

 i am doing this lift in my front yard with one floor jack and a mediocre set of tools and noticed when i dropped the rear diff, tranny fluid spilled out of the tailshaft, but everyone i talked to said i wouldnt have to worry about it, maybe a longer driveshaft, i dont know....

and also i have a little problem with the steering arm..... i cant get the SOB off..... pickle fork... sledge hammer...... even tried heating it a little..... nothing works.... any ideas.....


thanks!

[Swims350]

Not sure on your DS but is it in place now and the lift in the back? if so how much is sticking out? maybe you just got a bad seal in the t-case or maybe the weephole leaked?

As for the arm, been there done that. I ended up jacking it up and sitting the end of the arm on a jackstand and let the rear end drop, then hammered it with a big hammer, not a sledge though. I can't remember if my old man was hitting the arm itself or what, I think so. Use lots of penetrating lube, or maybe make your own, 50/50 mix of acetone and trans fluid. Let it soak overnight and hit it with more before you start. it's got wedge locks in it, they'll come up or out and when you get all 3 off the arm will come off.

[Irish_Alley]

When you say dropped the rear do you mean you took the drive shaft out then it was leaking or it was still on the transmission but slid out a little then started leaking? It should leak with the drive shaft yoke off the trans along as your level or up hill. And with a 4" lift the shaft should be about right usually you can lift a truck up to 6" and still keep the same rear shaft

[beastie_3]

what transfer case do you have? It has a slip joint in the tail shaft?

Ive done the steering arm earlier this year. Soak it overnight in something. I used PB blaster. It broke loose after a few wacks with a BFH.

[mdalbertson87]

i left the driveshaft on and just dropped the rear end for the blocks to go in..... still have to get the lift off the donor truck for right now...... ill try some PB blaster on the arm and even acetone is i have to.....it was coming out the back of the transfer case. and i didnt realize it but the rear end had slid back like 5 inches when i lowered it and that caused the leak so thats over with lol. what about brake lines..... my front end sure seems tight and i dont know if 4 inches will leave enough flex that they dont snap when i take it out for a test drive???!!!!

[Irish_Alley]

I've seen people run stock likes on 6" if they take the c clips out. I would do that until you get extended brake lines

[Swims350]

the acetone thing is a study I saw someone post on the net about rusty bolts and how much torque it took to break them loose with each type, pb blaster, wd40, liquid wrench, kroil and something else then a homebrew 50/50 mix of atf and acetone, it smokes the rest.

[mdalbertson87]

ill try the acetone stuff........... oh and it has the 208 tcase.......want a 205 but no one wants to part with one, which is understandable!!!! ill keep you guys updated and post some pics in a little while.....thanks for the replies!!!

also....... the very bottom leaf on my passenger rear is cracked in half...... right in front of the little dowel that holds the leaves together..... is this a major problem or can i just cinch the block down and hold it together? i know it prevents axle wrap but most of the leaf is still intact only about 4 inches cracked, will this be bad in the long run or can i run it like that?

[Grim 82]

Replace it.

[beastie_3]

I bet you can find a 205 in the valley somewhere. Maybe even near Sac, grass valley, etc.

[Swims350]

if you are putting on a lift, definately replace the leaf, and yea the rear end going back would cause that, if it's out it;s cheap and easy to put a new seal in anyways to avoid a leak later on. I don't see a problem with a 208, but I don't know much on t-cases either lol. 205 is steel aint it, and 208 is alum. or ours was. is one chain and the other gear inside? if so I can see why you'd want to improve going from chain to gears inside.

[mdalbertson87]

ya im pretty sure the 205 is gear operated, and the 208 is a double chain inside i think......for right now the truck just has to work, its firewood time and it needs to run..... SOON! lol

any other suggestions with this lift? i should be done within 2 weeks hopefully

[Irish_Alley]

Take the k5 leaf and take the bottom leaf out and swap them if you can. And if you don’t plan on mudding or taken it off road hard the 208 is good they just have a bad wrap because they are weaker than a 205 or 203 but the 203 just like the 208 is chain driven and it runs my 38s hard

[mdalbertson87]

alright sweet........... ya i mean we like to go out and play up here in the hills but we dont like go climbing or bogging all day, so i figured the 208 is perfect for woodcutting and the occasional trek through the woods for a bonfire. my ebrake and rear lines should be fine it looks like...... thanks again guys for all the input!!!!! much appreciated