7psi on the 16v motor and 35" AT tires that are 14" wide ...will eventually find the weak link. Rear upper U-joint.  I think if it were not for my missing links and YJ's ...I would be close to lifting the front left tire off the ground!

So anywho... what are some suggestions on u joints?  I dont mind a busted U joint as opposed to an axle.  Pros and cons... If I continue to beef up the driveline... i know I am just placing the load further down the food chain. 

One other question... while accelerating forward, does the transfer case rear end "raise up" or "squat down"?  ...I need to cycle my suspension and make sure my u-joints are not getting binded with the additional torque.

I am under the impression stock OEM joints without zirc fittings are the best, but I'm still new to sami's.

And I think it squats- just guessing.

I am under the impression stock OEM joints without zirc fittings are the best, but I'm still new to sami's.

Thats what i've read also.


Definitely appears to have been binding. Looks like I will be running my suspension through the ringer in the workshop next opportunity.

Im also considering fabbing some extended yokes.  This would free up a bit of angle by being able to get rid of the DS spacers Im currently running.

how were the joints before busting? did you install and were they "loose" or did they need a tap to center caps and make it "free-er".

Looks messed up and also a little dry (or maybe that part was wiped, how's the caps?). Was the yoke grinding/damage from the caps busting or the angle of application? Or was it a mod(second look is from damage the way the thick grease is wiped same way...)

That is a lot of torque demand for your applications. Hope you got chromo's and all that upgraded stuff too.

One other question... while accelerating forward, does the transfer case rear end "raise up" or "squat down"?  ...I need to cycle my suspension and make sure my u-joints are not getting binded with the additional torque.

Neither.  The tcase will twist side to side.
Now for the rear axle, the pinion will rise, when accelerating forward.

how were the joints before busting? did you install and were they "loose" or did they need a tap to center caps and make it "free-er".

Looks messed up and also a little dry (or maybe that part was wiped, how's the caps?). Was the yoke grinding/damage from the caps busting or the angle of application? Or was it a mod(second look is from damage the way the thick grease is wiped same way...)

That is a lot of torque demand for your applications. Hope you got chromo's and all that upgraded stuff too.

I did install them a good while back... pre YJ/missing links upgrade.  Been a good while since i peeked at them too so its hard to recall "last known condition".  I remember them being pretty snug when installed.  Was a bear getting the old ones out... which is why I own a shop press now.

I am pretty sure the yoke damage is from my angles.  The gouge on the top/right is fresh and pretty deep. I think it made contact (multiple times). Lower left side swipes it probably road rash. I had two back passengers (450lbs) and heard a thump here and there while riding over larger bumps.  I though it was the shocks bottoming out?  I just took it slow from there on just to be safe. Dropped passengers off and hit pavement.  There was a lot of vibrations so i stopped, checked, and didnt see anything out of place.  Kept driving and "clunk". Looking back, I think what i was hearing while woods riding is the yoke and u-joint making contact.

I haven't beefed anything up in the drive-line as of now.  My boost is at the max i feel comfy with my injectors.

Neither.  The tcase will twist side to side.
Now for the rear axle, the pinion will rise, when accelerating forward.

Makes sense... I just wondered because I feel the transfer stick moving (forward/backward) based on how hard I accelerate. 

Would added rear weight (passengers) lower the angles of the rear drive-line? The transfer case is mounted to frame, axle to the suspension.  So more weight would equate to more rear squat and less angle right?

Thanks for the comments.

Quote from: Skyhiranger on May 22, 2012, 04:47:53 PM

Neither.  The tcase will twist side to side.
Now for the rear axle, the pinion will rise, when accelerating forward.

Makes sense... I just wondered because I feel the transfer stick moving (forward/backward) based on how hard I accelerate. 

Would added rear weight (passengers) lower the angles of the rear drive-line? The transfer case is mounted to frame, axle to the suspension.  So more weight would equate to more rear squat and less angle right?

Thanks for the comments.

The forward/back movement of the tcase stick could be from the weight shift of the engine/tranny/tcase when accelerating.
You would just have to check to see what additional weight does to the angles of the driveline.....I don't know off the top of my head.

The forward/back movement of the tcase stick could be from the weight shift of the engine/tranny/tcase when accelerating.
You would just have to check to see what additional weight does to the angles of the driveline.....I don't know off the top of my head.

Good consideration.

I took a look under the rig last night.  Sure seems like my case is kind of high up in the front. Although my tranny driveshaft seems pretty level. Off memory, do they normally sit a bit off-angle lower on the rear side?

I think i may re-visit lowering my case down again.  I put some thought into it a while back but never did anything.  It looks relatively easy to lower it at least one inch (or thickness of the OE bushings).  Wouldn't be much different than having solid mounts installed.  If i gained an inch or so there then lengthen my yokes (rid the spacers)... it should return some more comfy angles. Consider this truck will never see any type of rocks under its belly.

Anyone have a ballpark on what angle degree stock driveshafts are?

The front of the samurai tcase sits a little higher than the rear.