For those who dont know the story, ill give a brief explanation.

I blew up the 400 in my 77 f150 4X4. Replaced it with a 550 horse screamer 460. It was a used motor that i took out of a truck i bought. The guy i bought it from had completely beefed up the suspension from the t case back to handle it. I figured if i went easy, it would last. nope. Blew out the first u joint this weekend. =(

Were they old U joints?

I feel your pain.

sounds normal,how's the temp runnin?

1985 Ford F-150 said:

Were they old U joints?

Click to expand...

Not old old. Ive had them in for about a year. This wasnt a they just wore out thing. I was messing around, i cant lie. The set up the previous owner of the motor had 1 ton u joints, 3/16 thick steel driveline, nodular case rear end, top of the line ring and pinion, and some fancy shmancy dutchman axles. So i guess ive gotta start beefing stuff up.

Id just beef it up as ya break it.

1985 Ford F-150 said:

Id just beef it up as ya break it.

Click to expand...

Ive got the driveline, or the bottom piece, and the nodular case, and the 1 ton yokes. So when i beef up the axle and put the gears i want in and put a locker in, ill use the big driveshaft and u joints then

ill probaly get flamed a bit but for the money you cant beat spicer X u jionts. well if they still make them at least. last set i bought was 20 years ago

cipsmithers said:

Not old old. Ive had them in for about a year. This wasnt a they just wore out thing. I was messing around, i cant lie. The set up the previous owner of the motor had 1 ton u joints, 3/16 thick steel driveline, nodular case rear end, top of the line ring and pinion, and some fancy shmancy dutchman axles. So i guess ive gotta start beefing stuff up.

Click to expand...

Fancy schmancy indeed. Dad of a buddy of Nick's owns Dutchman's- kid used to live with us for awhile (long story).

Aside from having to replace and spend some money, it's not all that bad of a feeling knowing your motor has the HP to do that.

I get to replace u-joints once a year, dont matter if there sealed, if they have the grease zerk and i do grease them or if i dont, Every time once a year they go out.

Can you beef up a half ton to handle it, or would you have to go to a 3/4 ton frame? I have wondered this for a while.

Backwoods said:

Can you beef up a half ton to handle it, or would you have to go to a 3/4 ton frame? I have wondered this for a while.

Click to expand...

stronger axle, driveline, and u joints and you are good. Its just the drivetrain that cant handle it not the frame

cipsmithers said:

stronger axle, driveline, and u joints and you are good. Its just the drivetrain that cant handle it not the frame

Click to expand...

Use it hard enough, and you'll be amazed at what you can break. Every young guy goes through this- there are trucks to play with, and there are trucks you drive to work. They should never be the same truck.