I'm assuming that you have to weld the ends from the tracker CV's onto the Maxima halfshafts, correct? Did you have to shorten them up at all, or are they the right length once the ends are cut off?

Their actually a little bit longer.  That's why you have to widen the front end a little.  Also that will help with axil angle and stability.

So... are they approximately the same length as the Exploder CV's, as described in another Hagen article? Could you do the same thing, but use the Maxima halfshafts instead?

EDIT: This article: http://www.zukiworld.com/month_040103/feature_hagencvshaft.htm

Front end widening is one of the mods I've been looking at... but I didn't want to do it, then use the stock CV's...

Are Maxima halfshafts stronger/have a better angle than Exploder CV's?

According to what I've read in the different posts and articles the  Maxima halfshafts are longer.  If you read the article, you will see you have to put/make spacers for the Explorer halfshafts.

I also beleive that the Maxima shafts have larger CV on them.  Don't know how much larger.  Also I beleave that the Maxima has a better axil angle to the CV.

But, I've read that Mike has had some friends use the Explorer halfshafts and they have worked out ok.  I think the main reason for using the Explorer shafts is the availability of them.

We can wait and let Mike clarify though.

The maxima shaft is extremly rare. The only one that (barely) fits is the left front V6 5 speed without antilock. Even if you find the shafts you have to cut further into the outer CV cups and do some additional grinding to the stub from the trackick donor. The real reason I didnt write on the maxima shaft is because the level of difficulty to build and how hard they are to find. The #1 reason I wanted to write it was to get people to think outside the box. Mabey someone else will come up with a better donor or a better way to do it. OR mabey someone in the aftermarket will see the need and build one.

Mike

Are the Explores CV's holding up??

The only guy runnin the Explorer CVs has kinda went by the wayside. :-/ I dont have any long term results on them.

Just out of curiosity, would you be willing to weld up a set of Explorer shafts (ready to fit in a widened front end) and ship them to Michigan? If so, how much would you charge for them?

This is purely conjecture, since I'm not sure what I'm doing after I get a steel front diff housing (Anvil or GV). :-/

Ive actually been really busy lately and will be for most of the summer. I try not to do any builds because of time. If I have any spare time I like to spend it tweaking my own rig or with my 2 kids. Ive got 4 major events to hit in the next 2 months. That alone will put a strain on my family time.

Mike

Very understandable

Any tips and tricks on getting it centered? I think I may be able to get some Explorer CV shafts for relatively cheap, I just don't have any experience doing this kind of work.

i have broken the front axle on tonka-toy 9 times.
the usual one is a case of ripping the mounting lug clean of the 3rd member casing or ripping out the bolt holes ..... another is to snap the 3rd member housing totally in half .... finally on the side of the axle casing that has the 3 bolt holes, i have ripped the locating bolts out several times.
i like mike hagen tried several home brew remedies to strengthen and protect the front end. the fix was a 2.5 v6 gv steel front axle and 3rd member.

since fitting the steel axle i have broken a front shaft and that is all. if you look at my site you will see that i wheel the truck hard.
you want strength its the only way
http://www.tonka-toy.co.uk
simon