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Stressed Diff /Reverse box
chrisf - 1/4/04 at 03:43 AM

Hi All:

I'm building an IRS chassis, and I'm curious if anyone has considered using the sierra diff as a fully stressed member. I'm going to use a pushrod/bellcrank system and want to fabricate a cradle that will mount to the diff in a solid fashion to the chassis. The 'cradle' will hold a steel plate above the diff and the inboard dampers will mount to the plate. It seems like it is sturdy enough to handle the loads from the dampers, but I'm unsure.

Also, since I will use a reverse box (BEC), would there be any problem using the reverse box as a means to trianglulate the transmission tunnle??

--Thanks, Chris


JoelP - 1/4/04 at 09:12 AM

you want to look carefully at the wall thinknesses of the components you want to stress, and examine what they are made of and if the material is likely to fracture or somesuch thing. People tend to frown upon using things like engines etc as stressed members, maybe its paranoia and maybe theres a good reason.

if you want to try it, make sure you are ready if it falls apart! emotionally and physically that is! i would recommend lots of testing etc.

good luck anyway...

[Edited on 1/4/04 by JoelP]


derf - 1/4/04 at 01:19 PM

I agree with what Joel said, but Bike engines are (especially on newer jap bikes) increasingly being used as stress members. If you look up alot of formula ford cars or FSAE car designs, they use different engine/trans/diff components as stress members. But in the end it's your choice


chrisf - 1/4/04 at 02:31 PM

My thoughts were that because the diff is as heavy as it is, how much could it distort? I'm guessing that it is much stronger than any erw tube I would mount the damper to.

If no one has tried it, no big deal. I'd hoped someone had tried it and I could catch some pics.

If I'm alone in this idea, I'll let the group know hoe it turns out.

--Thanks, Chris


derf - 1/4/04 at 03:08 PM

Ask and ye shall recieve (sorry that they arnt locost pics)


Tranny stress member


engine stress member


[Edited on 1/4/04 by derf]


jcduroc - 1/4/04 at 09:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by derf
Ask and ye shall recieve (sorry that they arnt locost pics)

Tranny stress member


That's an 80ies FFord, isn't it?


[Edited on 1/4/04 by jcduroc]


derf - 2/4/04 at 12:18 AM

I guess, I did a google image search and it came up


blueshift - 2/4/04 at 11:01 AM

now that's what I call an exhaust manifold


derf - 2/4/04 at 04:00 PM

Yeh I thought it was sexy too