K I am pretty confident with my welding abilities, but definitely am not a professional welder, so I wanted to ask a question and get some opinions. The driver's side U-bolt plate for the D60 is hard to find, but I have lots of plate steel I can use. Do you guys think this part could be built, and last and be safe for hauling and playing? Here is a picture for those that don't know what it is.
It might work, but I think you'd be better off finding a machine shop to machine one out of a block of steel. I don't know how much this would cost, but if I still had my mill I would do it for you (well...my dad would do it for you, he's the machinist)
I know I could do successfully, but it would be a pain with lots of trial and error. Lots of ins and outs on that guy. The welding isn't the issue really. Its getting all the surfaces aligned as they should be that is the issue. I'd be tempted to run the flat plate on the bottom and have all the spacers and stuff sandwiched between the plate and axle. That way, you wouldn't be depending on a weld to hold it together. The welds would just be to hold the spacers in. You would not be able to use one of the stock u-bolts, but then u-bolts are easy enough to find. Fleetpride would probably have something that could work or one could be made.
Dunno...just thinking out loud. Hard to tell perzactly without actually seeing it. Bottom line is yes, something could be fabbed up to hold it together. I have done some like it for straight axles on heavy trucks a few times.
You could definitely weld up a strong enough plate. But I wouldn't even attempt it if you don't have the right steel, welder, and know how. There is huge forces being put on this plate with both u-bolt tension and axle torque. It wouldn't take long to stretch the plate if not made right. I'm a welder and would much rather keep looking. It wouldn't be too bad if the pumpkin wasn't right there. If you did go ahead with it, I would of taken a 6-7 inch length of heavy pipe 3\8 or 1\2 inch wall that would cup the axle if cut in half. Weld on your two 1\2" thick tabs to each side for the bolt holes. Then gusset each tab with three 3\8" thick plates. One in between, and one on the outside of each bolt. I would use high heat and do 3 bead passes for each weld to make them bullet proof. If that is your axle with the pumpkin being apart of the u-bolt plate, I wouldn't even bother. Machining or to keep looking might be the better options...
Ya, the OEM plate is cast. That's part of why I think it can be done. At least to my knowledge, plate is usually stronger than cast. I was figuring on building it all out of 1/2", and definitely welding it hot.
Pumpkin being your differential. And how it interferes with your u-bolt plate. Its not just cupping the axle housing, it has to conform to the diff. More of a pain thats all I was saying.
I really am not sure what their going rate is, I have seen 1 for $100 and thought it was ridiculous, but that may be about right. Basically like everyone else I am trying to do it as cheap as possible, but it also needs to be dependable.
That would be an extremly difficult part to build succesfully. There are alot of parts all coming together at that location. You would be best off time and $$ wise to find a used one at a junkyard....
To me it seems fairly simple. I see a flat piece with with 4 holes and a notch. Then find the angle of the differential piece relative to the axle tube. Make 2 vertical pieces the necessary height, then use another piece as a cap. Finally gusset and brace as necessary or desired. And I am sure that the process will be more complicated than that makes it sound, but that's the vision I have for now.
im shure it can be done fairly easy whether machined or welded flat stock. when i get some extra cash ill go buy a block of steel and machine one and see how it turns out
That would be an extremly difficult part to build succesfully. There are alot of parts all coming together at that location. You would be best off time and $$ wise to find a used one at a junkyard....
I agree, the part I need has an unusual notch to fit around the differential housing on the bottom side.
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