Did I put my foot in it??

[Fordum]

I really need to quit giving advice during Spring Gobbler Season. I'm barely functional while its going on.
Plus I think I need to stay the heck away from this whole setup.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=319662

He is still doing things to the truck. Had it looking pretty good on the tall tires, but now he has switched to stock size for some reason.
BTW, I was looking, and it is 4WD after all.

Anyway, his driver side window was not working right, and I was sitting on a chair telling him what to check.
I was about half asleep, when a delivery guy brought in a rather large Timken box.

I asked if the big wrecker needed a wheel bearing, and he said No, its a new front bearing for my truck.

Being almost out of it, I asked what the heck size bearings did that 1/2 ton truck use anyway?
He pulled it out, and of course it was a unitized bearing hub.
(The truck is a 99)
I felt fairly stupid, never even thought of that.

He said that the big tires showed up a worn hub real quick when he put them on.

One of the other guys spoke up and said that it did not have to be too worn, since those type did not really like the big tires.

I was just nodding off, but I had to go and open my big mouth. I said that that was the reason they made kits to convert the unitized front wheel bearing units to the old style with two tapered bearings.

The guy said "really?" And I said that the kits were expensive, but much stronger than stock.

He wanted to know where you got one, and I said just do a search.

Later, at the house just before I went to bed, I did a quick search. I found some kits for Fords and Dodges, but did not see one for a GM.

Do they exist? I'm pretty sure I have seen where someone here has put one on, but maybe I imagined it.

I really need to quit trying to remember stuff until the season is over........

 

[skunked]

never heard of those conversions

 

[nvrenuf]

Afaik they only make those kits for straight axle applications, not IFS.

 

[Blue85]

The bearing conversion kit is here: https://www.offroadunlimited.com/orustore/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=16

 

[blazinzuk]

The bearing conversion kit is here: https://www.offroadunlimited.com/orustore/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=16

Best bearing conversion yet

 

[Smokinthehippies]

dynatrac is the company you are thinking of
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Drivetra...&t_s=237&t_pt=100450&Manufacturer_PQ=Dynatrac

but they are not for ifs applications as far as I know.
and yes they are bank but most reviews I've read felt it was worth it in the end.

 

[Fordum]

Yep, looks like I was not totally off the mark. The conversions do exist, just not for GM, or IFS.
I suspect that the changeover from regular to unitard on GM occurred about the same time as the changeover to IFS, which is the reason they don't make kits for them.

Here is an interesting though dated article on them, with a reason for no GM or IFS kits.

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/1004or-unit-bearings-versus-rebuildable-hubs/

I do disagree slightly with their reasons for no IFS. There are more moving parts and more places to break on an IFS, but properly built, I don't see why one should be at least as strong as a solid axle.

Problem is, not many of them are built that strong.

The Dana 44 IFS on my '89 Ford has stood up to everything I have thrown at it so far. Of course, I don't do the rock stuff like most of you, plus I stopped at 12.50-33s.

At any rate, the next time I am by there, I will tell him he is just going to have to live with the unis unless he swaps the whole axle.

Thanks for helping a turkey addled brain guy out.

 

[Blazooki]

gobble gobble

 

[Blue85]

The Dana 44 IFS on my '89 Ford

Not real IFS. It's a broken solid axle that changes camber as the suspension travels. Designed by tire companies to increase sales.

 

[Fordum]

True, I was thinking about that as I was typing. A true Independent would be like the axle on my M-Class.
The chunk housing is bolted to the frame, and both axles pivot at each end.

But, you have got to call what my truck has something, its not solid, and the two axles can move independently, so.....

Plus, I think even Dana calls it an IFS to differentiate it from a solid.

Maybe we need a third term. Like a semifloater, this could be a semiIFS......

 

[Blue85]

Oh, we can come up with a few terms for it...

Then again, busting chops for Ford tech on a Chevy site is like fish in a barrel. I suppose it really is independent in the sense that movement of one wheel doesn't affect the other - unless you have a sway bar attached. But in the case of most newer "real" IFS setups, they DO have a swaybar and to some extent one wheel does affect the other.

 

[dremu]

Thought that was the TTB, twin torsion beam. Or is that a different abomination?

-- A

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Thought that was the TTB, twin torsion beam. Or is that a different abomination?

-- A

You are correct sir. TTB.