im not ready to let this go yet so im starting a new topic on the subject. i like where its headed. just wish i could transfer all of what was said over to this topic.

heres a link to the start of the topic so nobody has to surch for it later.
http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=20234.0

distant smoke. you had the idea of using a frond axle and rolling the diff housing upside down. wouldnt that create poor oil flow to the pinion bearings causing them to fail quicker? im wanting my rig to be a daily driver so im looking for a setup that will handle prolonged use and highway capabilities.

thats why i thought mating front axle tubes to a rear diff housing would be the best option. but thinking about what i said before i would rather have the steering knuckles reversed so that whatever i use to control the steering in the rear is more protected by the axle housing and also more visable to anyone behind me.

also if i were to convert both the front and rear axles to hydraulc steering so that i could have both the front and rear axles turning when i corner im seing bad things happen durring highway use. i would either want to be able to reverse the rear steering for lane changes or shut it off completly which would knock everything out of sync later when i want it for cornering again. there has to be a simple fix for it. or a long drawn out one that requires alot of thinking

it looks like there would have to be atleist three modes maybe four.

1.low speed cornering (reversed steer in rear)
2.high speed cornering (no rear steer)
3.lane change high or low speed (same front and rear)
4.sticky situations? (rear steer only)

it sure would give a person alot of options. could get realy confusing realy fast though too.

you can use a samurai axle in the rear by spinning it 180 deg horizontally then cut and turn the housing ends to get the proper caster. this would put the steering at the back and out of the way of the driveshaft.

I would 100% make this a OFF road modification only with a lock out bar for when you hit the pavement. having any rear steer on the pavement at ANY speed will be spooky and very dangerous.

keep in mind that most frames in the rear are not designed to accomodate a steering axle so you could end up with tire to frame clearance issues.

you would not have to turn the rear too much on an 80" wheel base rig to make a diffrence, putting the diff third upside down will though.

yea i thought about the clearance issues in the rear. the frame would have to be pulled in which would mean that the whole rear suspention would have to be altered along with other things like the fuel tank, body etc. and i see your point about street use also. but id realy like to do this and make it a daily driver. i wouldnt care if i had to shut off and lock the rear steering. i drive my sammy every day.

you can use a samurai axle in the rear by spinning it 180 deg horizontally then cut and turn the housing ends to get the proper caster. this would put the steering at the back and out of the way of the driveshaft.

if i can use a front axle like im being told i can it makes the project even easier. im wondering why it hasnt been done more.

you would not have to turn the rear too much on an 80" wheel base rig to make a diffrence, putting the diff third upside down will though.

true. just a little differance in angle would swing the ass end around real fast. even if you created just 2"of swing. but id like to get the full affect if possable.

I'm sure you can use a front axle. I have some build articles for the Blitz that I posted up the pic of. I'll try and find them. I also pretty sure that I have some more pics but either they need scanning too or they're on an old drive somewhere.

Quote

you can use a samurai axle in the rear by spinning it 180 deg horizontally then cut and turn the housing ends to get the proper caster. this would put the steering at the back and out of the way of the driveshaft.

if i can use a front axle like im being told i can it makes the project even easier. im wondering why it hasnt been done more.

More than likely a samurai front axle will not hold up in the rear (for any "real" wheeling).....the shafts and birfields are too weak to have that much stress put on them.

A D44, even a Toyota front axle may be strong enough to use as a rear axle.

Look into a D44 from an early CJ. It's about the same width as the Sammy axle.

If you do this it will be a decent project, a bit more advanced than shadetree. As you will be doing a lot of custom work, just cut the knuckles off the axle and swap them side for side. And you do want the steering gear towards the rear, you will not have to worry about the snout of the diff in the way of the steering ram.

You may want to check into local laws about hydralic ram steering on the road. Hate to see such a cool project done and not be able to drive it every day like you want.