Move rear axle back 2"

[strebel]

Waiting on parts - so many parts.

Have a duff 4 link en route - They mentioned the ease of moving the rear axle back 2inch before interfering with the frame or gas tank. Any reason *not* to do this? Seems like it an easy win.

 

[DirtDonk]

I don't know of any obvious reasoning against it, other than additional cost of a longer driveshaft perhaps. Or a custom body that doesn't need it. Or whatever.
But the benefits of at least 1" further back are common with uncut rear fenders. A 2" extension might, or might not be even better. Again comes sown to fender clearance.

But if it's a fully cut Bronco, then it really comes down to whether or not the extended wheelbase is deemed superior for what you're doing. More stable? Perhaps. Better rock climbing ability? Perhaps, but thought to be a good thing by many. More tire clearance? Just depends.

Probably quite a few other things I have no idea about. Mine is all about tire clearance on an uncut.
What route are you going with the Bronco? And street only, or off-road too?

Paul

 

[RODRIG3911]

Drive shaft may need to be lengthened, and you might have clearance issues with the fender.. Other then that would be a good thing for ride quality and keep rocks from hitting your body on the rear.
When I did my front Duff long arms, I lengthened the axle forward about an inch for better approach angles 4 wheeling. Been thinking about adding another inch or so

 

[strebel]

What route are you going with the Bronco? And street only, or off-road too?

Street - moderate off-road. Full frame up rebuild - will cut fenders.

Thank you for the feedback. Sounds like there is no drawback and some upside.

 

[BanditBronco]

Drive shaft may need to be lengthened, and you might have clearance issues with the fender.. Other then that would be a good thing for ride quality and keep rocks from hitting your body on the rear.
When I did my front Duff long arms, I lengthened the axle forward about an inch for better approach angles 4 wheeling. Been thinking about adding another inch or so

Man I didn't even notice yours was pushed a little at the stampede. Wish I would have looked a little harder.

 

[BanditBronco]

Street - moderate off-road. Full frame up rebuild - will cut fenders.

Thank you for the feedback. Sounds like there is no drawback and some upside.

Tack it and check it. I have done the 1" push on some broncos that end up hitting the gas tank with the pumpkin and others that have plenty of clearance. Just double check it first!

 

[RODRIG3911]

Man I didn't even notice yours was pushed a little at the stampede. Wish I would have looked a little harder.

Just an inch, hard to notice... When I did it I still had a drop track bar bracket, and the diff cover hit even with just an inch. Since the Stampede I redid my steering to Heim OTK and added a track bar riser bracket welded to the axle so it won't hit the dif cover anymore... Cool thing about the Duff arms is you can lengthen or shorten them by just screwing the Jonny joints on the arms in or out. Super easy!

 

[garberz]

If you’re running anything but a stock gas tank, going back 2” will interfere. With my NWMF tank, the rear end is about 3/4” away from the tank skid plate at full stuff.

Mark

 

[gnpenning]

If you’re running anything but a stock gas tank, going back 2” will interfere. With my NWMF tank, the rear end is about 3/4” away from the tank skid plate at full stuff.

Mark

Mark, just to verify is that with the stock location?

Thanks

 

[garberz]

Mark, just to verify is that with the stock location?

Thanks

Yes, my rear axle is in the stock location. My skid plate wraps around the front of the tank, so it does get close. I think the Sherman Tanks my give a little more room near the axle, but not enough to move the axle 2”. The axle swings back as the leafs flatten out remember.

Mark

 

[jamesroney]

If you’re running anything but a stock gas tank, going back 2” will interfere. With my NWMF tank, the rear end is about 3/4” away from the tank skid plate at full stuff.

Mark

Can confirm. My 71 with a 3.5 Wild H lift and NWMF tank rubbed against my diff at 1 inch of wheelbase stretch.

 

[Madgyver]

I did because "why not?"

 

[Cooper]

Looks good Mad ! So how far back did you move the axle 1", 1.5 " or 2 " ?

 

[gnpenning]

Yes, my rear axle is in the stock location. My skid plate wraps around the front of the tank, so it does get close. I think the Sherman Tanks my give a little more room near the axle, but not enough to move the axle 2”. The axle swings back as the leafs flatten out remember.

Mark

I have the same tank as you that I will be installing down the road. I think most have had the same experience as you, but you never know with Broncos. Thanks for verifying.

 

[Madgyver]

looks good mad ! So how far back did you move the axle 1", 1.5 " or 2 " ?

4.5"........................

 

[Action]

I went 1 1/2" but it gets really close back there