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Dana 27 Tie Rod Flip

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by chip biddle, Mar 13, 2018.

  1. Mar 13, 2018
    chip biddle

    chip biddle Member

    Stockton, Ca.
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2002
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    108
    I have a 1971 Dana 27 front axle, and I was wondering if anyone has done a Tie Rod Flip with these closed knuckles.

    Thanks,
    Chip.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Mar 13, 2018
    chip biddle

    chip biddle Member

    Stockton, Ca.
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2002
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    Another question would be has anyone done a shackle reversal on a 1971 and was it worth it.

    Chip.
     
  3. Mar 13, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Yes, lots of people have done the flip. There are a lot of differing opinions on which way is best. I prefer Goferit Products! but there are others out there.

    There isn't much love around here for a shackle reversal. It just depends who you ask. I personally like them if the rig will see a fair amount of off-road. Just prepared to put the money out for a front driveshaft with lots of travel if you plan on using any percentage of your suspension travel.
     
  4. Mar 13, 2018
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    A shackle reversal makes a Jeep ride much better especially on the street. All of the M38A1s and many CJ5s over the run were shackle reversed. They do need a longer slip on the front driveline and need to have the front shock geometry taken into consideration.
     
  5. Mar 13, 2018
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    I did a shackle reversal on my 67 and replaced the stock sagged springs with new replacements. I didnt notice much ride improvement and it didnt need any driveshaft mods. Infact I was more concerned about it bottoming out than extending too far. But its quite happy where it is. But I suspect you have a lift thats why your doing the tie rod flip so extension might be more of a concern. On my 2a it took a 6 1/2" spring over lift before i needed to extend the driveshaft. I used the short end from a comanchee pickup that fit right on the original 10 spline shaft and it was an inch or so longer than stock which worked well
     
  6. Mar 13, 2018
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    Tie rod flip is relatively easy and we'll worth the money if you go off road at all.
     
  7. Mar 14, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I should have specified... Just as jeep2003 stated, I assumed you either have a lift or are planning a lift because of the tie rod flip question.

    The solid-mounted end of the leaf spring acts as a pivot point that the axle rotates around when it droops or compresses. If there's no lift, the [axle] to [spring eye] plane is relatively flat, and there is very little driveshaft spline movement. When you lift a shackle-reversed front axle, the plane that the axle and spring eye are on is now at an angle. With the pivot at the front, the axle moves toward the transfer case under compression and drops away from the transfer case when it droops. The higher the lift and/or the softer the suspension, the more the driveshaft travel increases.

    Climb a hill or obstacle where it lifts the weight off the front end, add power that twists the pinion downward, and you have a lot of travel that a stock shaft just can't handle. I had to switch to a square PTO shaft in my 3b in order to stop it from being an issue.

    One of he biggest time-killers on trail rides is waiting for someone to pull their driveshaft at the pinion to re-insert the splines.
     
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  8. Mar 14, 2018
    chip biddle

    chip biddle Member

    Stockton, Ca.
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2002
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    108
    Thanks for the replies, I do have a spring/shackle lift and would like to flip the tie rod so the drag link would be more in-line with the tie rod, my power steering box is mounted just behind bumper on the driver’s side frame rail and the drag like drop is around 4-5 inches. The issue I see with flipping the tie rod is the angle of the top of the knuckle where the tie rod end mounts, as is the rod ends are angled inboard and If I were to flip they would move outboard possibly requiring a longer tie rod, this also looks like a weaker position. If I go with the tie rod flip I will probably use the half insert and reamer option because of the lack of material on the knuckle in this area.

    The shackle reversal would be to gain better steering control, but if it changes too many other things like springs, perches, shims and drive line I will probably pass, at first I was thinking it would be straight forward.


    Thanks for all the input so far, it’s been a few years sense I have been around this forum.


    Chip.


    IMG_2476.jpg IMG_2493.jpg
     
  9. Mar 14, 2018
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    I used the OK 4WD inserts on my D27 for exactly the reason you post above. I used Go-Fer-It on my D30.
    I have the reamer if you want to borrow.
     
  10. Mar 14, 2018
    '74Renegade

    '74Renegade Active Member

    Fair Oaks, CA
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    I'll second or third the tie rod flip, it's worth the effort and super easy. Not sure about the D27 but the D30 has enough meat to use the inserts.
     
  11. Mar 14, 2018
    chip biddle

    chip biddle Member

    Stockton, Ca.
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    Jzeber thank you for the offer to borrow your reamer, I will take you up on that, I will pay for shipping and rental. I will try and send you message with my information.
    Also, what insert do you recommend I get for my 27, Go-Fer-It or OK 4WD? did you need a new tie rod? did you remove the knuckle or was there room to ream in-place?

    Thanks,
    Chip.
     
  12. Mar 14, 2018
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    Hi Chip,
    Got your message. I used the OK 4WD inserts for my D27. I would recommend you use them. I did it on the vehicle. You will need 3 inserts and I did not need a new tie rod.
    The reamer fits in a small flat rate box. I'l figure shipping and pm you.
     
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  13. Mar 14, 2018
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    I used Jzebers reamer as well. It's a very simple mod. I didn't use any inerts, just the reamer and installed the tie rod ends in the freshly tapered holes. I also made my own tie-rod and drag link out of DOM tubing as recommended by 74_Renegade. It;s much stronger than the stock stuff. I'm very pleased with the whole setup and everything is up out of the rocks.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. Mar 15, 2018
    chip biddle

    chip biddle Member

    Stockton, Ca.
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    Thanks jzeber, I ordered the inserts this morning from OK 4WD, looking forward to doing this mod.

    Muzikp- Where did you order the DOM tubing and was it already threaded? This sounds like a good upgrade while I'm flipping the tie rods.

    Thanks all,
    Chip.
     
  15. Mar 15, 2018
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    :watch: i may need that reamer next :watch:
     
  16. Mar 15, 2018
    '74Renegade

    '74Renegade Active Member

    Fair Oaks, CA
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    Hey Chip.....the DOM I purchased came from ABC Supply in downtown Sac, unfortunately they are now out of business. There is another place called Team Tube in West Sac that carries it also. I don't think there is much if anything left for the hobbyist in Stockton.

    Speedway.com sells threaded tie rod tube cut to length, but it is not DOM.

    Anyway the DOM tube is not threaded, I am willing to offer up my half of the tap set that Muzikp and I put together, if you decide to go that route.
     
  17. Mar 15, 2018
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    Let me know. I shipped it off today to Chip.
     
  18. Mar 15, 2018
    chip biddle

    chip biddle Member

    Stockton, Ca.
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    jzeber, Thanks and I will let you know when it arrives.

    muzikp- couple of questions: what OD and wall thickness on the DOM tubing? what tie rod ends did you use and what half of the tap kit do you have?

    Thanks guys, I'm really looking forward to doing this modification.

    Chip.
     
  19. Mar 16, 2018
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    Hi Chip,

    1" .188 wall DOM you can tap the ends to the 11/16 x 18 thread of the stock TREs.

    I used these TRE's
    Speedway Ford Outer Tie Rod End, 11/16-18 RH Thread
    Speedway Ford Outer Tie Rod End, 11/16-18 LH Thread

    I may have both halves of the tap kit at the moment. I can send them to you or if you come to town to pick up DOM we can exchange that way. I bought my DOM at team tube in W. Sacramento. Call first, I bought the last piece they had a few months ago.

    Just so I understand, you are using the reamer and inserts? I only used the reamer so I wouldn't need inserts, maybe I did it wrong but it's working well.
     
  20. Mar 16, 2018
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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