old pop-up axle

[bigmcgiv]

well the frame iis stripped bare and the dementions are 73 wide and 64 long. well stretching the frme wont be a problem but it looks like the axle will. i like the width but i want the wheels outside the body. so i ne to wideden the 4 foot axle . problem is it has a tension arch in the middle or a bow . and i dont want to screw up the camber because with nothing on the frame so what should i do i need to widen the axle. i could use some ideas bit the width of the frame is 73 in. i need some opts. tks matt

[Chuck Craven]

Cut the axel in the center and weld a piece of pipe in the center to make it longer.
The pipe should be at least sec. 40, 80 or have a ¼ inch thick wall.
The pipe can slide inside or outside of the original axel tube.
This is how I have made Dodge mini van axels wider for utility trailers.

Chuck

[bigmcgiv]

but what about the arch

[Chuck Craven]

If you cut it in the center of the axel the arch will remain the same camber. 0-\_/-0 like this 0-\__/-0 you will end up with a longer axel. The pipe goes in the center. The pipe needs to over lap the axel tube twice the diameter of the tube or axel. If the added pipe is say 2” in diameter then you need to have 4” over lap on the axel. That is each side. If the axel is 2” then the pipe is 1 ½” you need a 3” over lap on each side. You need a full weld all the way around the joint of the tube and pipe.


Chuck

[Will Smith]

you could cut it twice, on each side between the arch and wheel. just make sure you extend the axle evenly on both sides.

[Chuck Craven]

Can you show us a picture of the axel?
Then we can get a better idea of how to lengthen it.
Chuck

[bigmcgiv]

well i figure it out , i just order spindles and spring pads from northern, and the u bolts ill get local, the tube my buddy has what i need he owns a machine shop , freebie . and to lengthen the frame im using 3x2 by 3/16 angle 4 -10 foot lenght for 100.00. wish me luck . matt ps pics will be comming soon