Heavy Axle helping hand

[BackNBlackTJ]

I needed a way to move these heavy a$$ axles around... I can't take full credit for the design, I saw something similar on a site (forget which one, probably Pirate4x4)... so I came up with this.

it is based on the HF 1000lbs. engine stand, got it on sale for 59.99...

cut the engine rotation collar off, and severed the column in the middle so that I had to equal height columns with angled tops.

then instead of just bolting all these pieces together I went ahead and welded all the components together...

Picking up some steel in the morning to make the cradles for the columns and the moveable pinion support... more pictures to follow.

 

[Dirk Hollis]

Good idea well executed. What did you use to produce the sketch?

 

[BackNBlackTJ]

Sketchup


Not the best, but it works... I have CAD for stuff I need cut on the table at my friend's shop.

 

[machine_punk]

Nice modification of readily available stuff (probably cheaper than you could have bought the steel and casters). Looking forward to seeing the final product.

 

[2JZGTESC300]

Awesome idea! I can see that working very well. I've taken a few dozen entire differential axle out and just laid it on the ground. Serviced it from there. This idea is awesome!

 

[BackNBlackTJ]

Couple of my concept drawings... plans are to either powder coat or paint it Miller Electric blue...

The pinion support will be a piece of all-thread to prop up the pinion and set the angle, the neck will be adjustable along the backbone so that I can use the cart for front or rear axles.

 

[Agent1320]

Unless you're working on the same type of axle all the time, it'd be best to make the cradles and pinion support have some width adjustment. Like making them swivel or twist into a new location so they will clear any brackets or mounts that are welded to the axle tubes.

 

[skooter_built]

Nice 88-91 Ford Kingpin! I just finished building a 78 for my TJ. What are your Jeeps stats?

 

[jonzer12]

I have the same thing I build a few years ago. Comes in handy and gets borrowed quite a bit. Nice axle build.

 

[BackNBlackTJ]

The cradles are 2.5" radius (up to 5" dia. axle tube)... the pinion support will have a 2" radius (up to a 4" pinion dia.) Anything bigger than that i don't need a helping hand I need a crane. LOL!

The spec's on the jeep are:

1998 Wrangler Sahara: replaced the motor(blow'd it up, hydro-lock *boom*) in 2001 with a salvage from a 2000 GC, AX-15 5-speed is the only thing truely "STOCK", t-case is a ******* with mix and match parts from several vehicles, front axle is 86' Ford HP60KP 4.10 welded with alloys (Artec truss/soon to be ultimate steering arms), rear is Corp14bolt 4.10 welded with a Ballistic shave and homespun truss, triangulated 4-link front and rear using Let-z-Roll offroad 2" aluminum links and 1.25" heims, King 2" Airshox all the way round, running 37" Maxxis Creepy's (for now) basically the only things original on the whole thing are... grill, hood, cowl, most of the dash, and the transmission.

 

[klaw]

Great re-purpose

 

[bad_idea]

I would've left it bolt together for storage when not needed. I disassemble my engine stand and throw it on a shelf when I don't need it. Matter o fact, its in my neighbor's shed. I should get that back from him one of these days....

Great idea though. What thickness of plate are you using for the cradles?

 

[BackNBlackTJ]

1/4"

tubing would be stronger but way too bulky, 1/4 plate will get me plenty of strength but yet thin enough to slip into and around brackets.

Cradles are on my buddies table, should be cut out by the end of the week, he's gonna slip them in amongst his regular batch cuts.

I got the pinion support all pieced together but it's not finished... haven't been home to work on it much, and figured I'd better quit last night before the neighborhood started complaining

 

[Jason280]

I know what you mean about moving heavy axles, they can be difficult to deal with in a shop. I ran into that same issue not long ago swapping out a Dana 35 for a Ford 8.8 in a '93 YJ, and actually repurposed a heavy duty cart for the axle work. As far as positioning the axle, I welded a plate up to fit in a quick-lift jack, which allowed me to move around the axle in the shop.

I'll be using it again soon, as I am getting ready to build another 8.8 for a '94 YJ I just bought. 8.8's are heavy enough as it is, and I can only imagine what the axle you are working with would weigh!

 

[littletoes]

Pipe stands work great for working on axles.

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Pipe-Stands

I've had the most experience with the "V" style...even made several on the job sites.

The only problem I see with yours--the height, I hate bending over to work on things, and even worse, I hate working on my knees! 30+ years is ENOUGH.

 

[BackNBlackTJ]

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/Pipe-Stands

Those are great, I've got a couple of them I use as jack stands under the rig itself... but they do not roll around, and the axle may be in and out of the chassis a dozen times before it's done so I needed something that rolls... I seriously considered making it taller, but decided against it due to clearance under the chassis and the fact that it would be REALLY top heavy...