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Weak Link?

What Broke?

  • SM465

    Votes: 1 1.2%

  • NP208

    Votes: 13 15.5%

  • 10B front w/stock shafts & locker

    Votes: 49 58.3%

  • 14bff w/Detroit

    Votes: 10 11.9%

  • Square front Dshaft w/stock CV

    Votes: 2 2.4%

  • Stock Rear Driveshaft

    Votes: 9 10.7%
  • Total voters
    84
Hossbaby50

Hossbaby50

3/4 ton status
Joined
Sep 1, 2001
Posts
8,969
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Location
Peoria, AZ
A buddy of mine found his weak link last weekend wheeling. Guess what it was. Here are the Specs & Pic:

TBI 350
SM465
NP208
10b front locked w/stock shafts & crossover
14bff w/detroit
38" Swampers
square front driveline w/ground stock CV
stock rear driveshaft

ANSWER BELOW VOTE FIRST:)

HPIM0234.jpg


Harley

ANSWER:
14bff shaft & Detroit
 
:eek1: Oh crap... I voted for the 10b.. I thought 14bolts with detroits are bombproof. :doah:

Well, in that case, I'll sleep better knowing my 10 bolt and lockright will hold up longer :D
 
Yep, those junk 14 bolts blow up all the time. Guess it's time for a Dana 135... :haha:

Goes to show the 10 bolts and 208's aren't as bad as everyone makes them out to be.

You have more specs (weight, maybe?) on that sub? That thing looks like a great trail rig. Good wheelbase, and room for 4 or more. More pics if you've got em, please.
 
My guess is it was a total fluke but it surprised the hell out of me too. Most likely the shaft snapped and that is what caused the teeth to round off the Detroit but still.:eek1: It really surprised me that he did it with a 208 and 10 bolt. The biggest surprise is it was with only 38" swampers. I can almost see it from someone with 42's and 1 tons but it 3/4 tons and 38's WOW!!!

Now I am going to have to get a spare set of rear axles too. :crazy: Those heavy pigs will stay on the trailer though.

Harley
 
Weight I am guessing around 5500-6000lbs. He has no doors, windshield, dash, etc. Here are a few more I have of his truck. When he is on the trail there is always seats available, thats why we call him the Trail Limo. Wheel Base should be about 130".

HPIM0220.jpg


HPIM0218.jpg


Harley
 
BadAss90K5 said:
I'm getting me an extra set of 14b shafts too after reading your story :eek1:
Click to expand...

It is VERY unlikely to break a 14bff shaft on the trail especially with so many other things that should have broken first. I am not going to rush out and get a spare set of shafts but eventually when I stumble on a set I will take them.

This proves that anything can happen though. I could see a guy like Fred (FWP) breaking on with his 7000lb K5 and 6:1 doubler w/42s and HEAVY wheeling but he is still going strong on the stock shafts. Crazy.

Harley
 
I know you said he has no dash, But does he have a firewall?? You can see the seats through the fender well.
 
Ya, he has a firewall. That is where the AC box used to be and he cut it all out and added a piece of plexyglass if I remember right. The thing is pretty much totally stripped and chopped except for gauges, steering wheel, seats, toolbox, & spare tire.

Harley
 
did he grind the little ears off the 10b? i really like that truck, different and kinda ugly.
 
I'm not too surprised to see the detroit go with the shaft but:

That shaft had been fatigued enough that it finally broke (how many of us know the life the shafts had before we had them?)

Or his axle housing is bent. Most FF 14 bolt housing aren't as thick as many people think and I wouldn't be surprised if he bent the housing (given the use and the weight of the truck).
 
Lots of people that run Rock's have trouble with breaking shafts because they were used so heavily for so long.

Many say that the stock shafts broke easier than their one ton stuff :eek1:
 
Sorry Harley, I cheated and read the write-up on loco. Didn't he grenade a 10 bolt shaft too right after that?
 
I guess right! Only because I figured it was going to be the most unexpected item on the list.

Like the truck! Nice and clean. Or utilitarian might be a better word.
 
i guessed the front driveshaft... that ass end looks kinda hummer style!
 
For full discloser he did break 10 bolt shaft after the 14bff shaft and also started to twist the rear driveshaft. Putting pressure like that on a 10b front with no help from the rear is pretty much bound to break.

I am pretty sure this was a fatigue issue like mentioned before. Another reason the Rocks were snapping though too was that they are 50yrs old had long service lifes but were also made during a time when metal technolgy wasn't as good.

Harley
 
Any body kow the price for after market 14 bolt shafts? Wow I was wrong I took one look at that ledge and saw front axle probs.... Now I am curious are D44 and 10 bolts are pretty similar in strength? cause I have the same set up and am always worried abut snappin' shafts, but the Jimbug is lighter.... by ALOT and I run 39.5's. Maybe I just have not been in a situation to make it fail?
 
jimbug said:
Any body kow the price for after market 14 bolt shafts? Wow I was wrong I took one look at that ledge and saw front axle probs.... Now I am curious are D44 and 10 bolts are pretty similar in strength? cause I have the same set up and am always worried abut snappin' shafts, but the Jimbug is lighter.... by ALOT and I run 39.5's. Maybe I just have not been in a situation to make it fail?
Click to expand...

I think there is one company that makes shafts for 14 bolts but they aren't chromoly.

I think the general consensus is to run stock shafts. I don't think I have heard of someone breaking more than one without 50" tires :dunno:

Dana 44's and 10 bolts are very similar in strength.
 
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