I think I have found the parts to build
a Fullfloater rear axle from SideKick parts !!, the only
custom item would be the double splined axle shafts,
stronger that stockers of coarse. A little more digging
and I might be able to have larger and more spline
axles, side gears and hubs sourced out to build a bullet
proof (at least until Mike gets hold of it   )  rear Axle.

This axle would also have rear hubs for easy towing in
event of a trail failure or just an easy way of towing on
the road.
             
Ohh I forgot the best part, Rear disk brakes too    

Keep us posted. Id like to see some pics.  
I like your idea except the part about easier trail fixes. Mabey you should just swap in a 9 inch and stop worring about breakage!  

Actually I havent been able to break it but I have bent several axle shafts between the bearing and the rotor.   Time for another upgrade.   I think a set of Moser axles are my next purchase.

Mike

9 Inch, that's Ford stuff, not Zuki  
Actually the custom double splined
axles, as strong as chromoly, and the side gears
can be broached to accept larger Dia. axle
shafts, the only thing to research now is the
hubs, and what will fit the zuke spindle and
take a larger shaft with more splines.

Width of the axle assembly is about the same as stock,
within .200 of an inch, location of the disk brake bracket
has yet to be determined, but I think it can be bolted on,
instead of welded, which makes this suitable for a bolt on
kit, totaly cool and easy install, proportioning valve may
need some adjusting to ballance the front to rear ratio, I'm
going to try to have this done before Tiera Del Sol in March,
and I'm going to try to make the Easter Trip to Moab.

If you make moab during the EJS be sure to hook up with a Zukiworld run. It would be cool to put a face to the rig.

Mike

Click on the pic     <----------
That's my ugly mug in the drivers seat

i hope everyone knows that a 9in Ford will eat power out of you engine.  its bigger heavyer it just eats power.  I was going to put them front and rear on my Tracker till i heard this.   lata stu

i hope everyone knows that a 9in Ford will eat power out of you engine.  its bigger heavyer it just eats power.  I was going to put them front and rear on my Tracker till i heard this.   lata stu

Someone lied to you. A bigger ring gear equals more torque applyed. Would you rather use a 7 inch wrench to break a bolt loose or a 9 inch wrench? I gained power with the swap. Besides, a nine inch barely weighs any more. I couldnt tell which was heavier by carring them around.

Mike

In drag racing it is commonly said that going from a 7.5" rear end to a 9" will cost you some horsepower. If you run the same gear ratio.

With bigger brake drums, axle shafts, ring and pinion, and differential there is alot of unsprung weight there compared to a stock Tracker.

It doesnt take the same amount of horsepower to turn different size rearends. Different transmissions have more or less parasitic loss when you compare them.

Now, if you go from a 5.13 in the Tracker to a 5.89 in a 9" you offset the loss of horsepower with touque multiplication and actually come out ahead in power with this extra multiplication of the 5.89 gears.

If this is wrong, please let me know. I will have to write to the "Professor" and get the real scoop.

Later,
Bill

I dont know what to tell the professor but I definitely have more power with the nine inch. Without any doubt.

Mike

I think I have it figured out.

Like Mike said a bigger ring with give you more torque out of the rear end.  So it should seem like you have more power.

Now at higher speeds (speeds way beond our Zukis) that larger ring has a larger diameter (out side of the ring measured) and has a longer way to go to make one revalution.  So it's going to take more effert to turn it.

It's kinda like when we put larger tires on our trucks.  At lower speeds you can't notice that much of a difference, but the faster you go the more you notice the difference the larger tires make.  Yes, I know the power to the wheels is different than the input to the R/P.  This is just an example.

And lastly, a larger differential has a larger mass and will take more power rotate at higher speeds (over 100 mph).

Someone lied to you. A bigger ring gear equals more torque applyed. Would you rather use a 7 inch wrench to break a bolt loose or a 9 inch wrench? I gained power with the swap. Besides, a nine inch barely weighs any more. I couldnt tell which was heavier by carring them around.

Mike

I dunno if I read the post right, but did you say you swapped in a 9in rear end? Can you please explain to me how that was done? I have a small block chevy in my samurai and I keep breaking the original suzuki U-joints, driveshafts, and now the rear-end. Any information would be greatly and deeply appreciated.

I dunno if I read the post right, but did you say you swapped in a 9in rear end? Can you please explain to me how that was done? I have a small block chevy in my samurai and I keep breaking the original suzuki U-joints, driveshafts, and now the rear-end. Any information would be greatly and deeply appreciated.

Here.....  of coarse this is a Suzuki Sidekick with coil rear suspension.

Awesome!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!! It should be easier to set one up with leafs for a samurai. I am seriously considering this now. Now if I only knew where to find a 9inch........

If i'm correct the 66' Bronco is one inch narrower than a 67 to 77 bronco and thats where you will find you donor.  lata stu

I was too tired to post this the other night, but I did confirm,
I can use (with some minor mods) Suzuki parts, bolted onto the  
stock, unmodified rear axle, and add a custom double splined  
end axle shaft for a fullfloater. Going to pick up some parts  
tomorrow, and get the mods done to them, then figure out the
axle length, Custom axle shafts are $300-400 per set, I'm going
to see if I can bolt on rear disks with this mod too, looks real doable  

This is a repost from another thread, just trying to keep some
continuity in the information about this Fullfloater Axle buildup.

Darrin