Cheap carrier bearing

Jduck · Oct 4, 2020

Decided to try and build a cheap carrier bearing set up for my current Jeep. Did some searching and found an old thread on pirate about using a Dana 60 pinion so decided to give it a try. Had a buddy cut the gear off and machine the shaft/inner bearing surface to fit a 1.5 id driveshaft tube. The outer bearing surface was already 1.25 so I found a two pack of these 4 bolt flange style carrier bearings on amazon for $20. Made a bracket with a couple leaf spring bushings and it was done.

smbroady82 · Oct 4, 2020

Nice! I think Wizzo does something similar using 14b pinions

wizzo · Oct 4, 2020

Broady is correct. I've used 60 and 14 bolt pinions. IMO this is a great set up. I'm sure there are better ways to do it. But this is great. I've done them with slip in the mid shaft and hard mounted. I usually use the two bolt pillow block bc it's a little more compact.

Jduck · Oct 4, 2020

wizzo said:
Broady is correct. I've used 60 and 14 bolt pinions. IMO this is a great set up. I'm sure there are better ways to do it. But this is great. I've done them with slip in the mid shaft and hard mounted. I usually use the two bolt pillow block bc it's a little more compact.

Ive heard of the ears breaking on the 2 bolt style so I figured I'd try this 4 bolt style to spread the load out.

wizzo · Oct 4, 2020

Jduck said:
Ive heard of the ears breaking on the 2 bolt style so I figured I'd try this 4 bolt style to spread the load out.

Only way I see ears breaking is from solid mount and no mid shaft slip or no bushing mount for flex.

You seen something different,?

Jduck · Oct 4, 2020

wizzo said:
Only way I see ears breaking is from solid mount and no mid shaft slip or no bushing mount for flex.

You seen something different,?

Nope, just going off second hand stories from the internet.

GSI · Oct 5, 2020

Great idea! Thanks for sharing this. This is the cool build it kinda tech that make us want to keep coming back here.

pennsylvaniaboy · Oct 5, 2020

Im running a 2 piece rear drive shaft rubber pillow block....seems to be working ok so far.

Blase · Oct 5, 2020

Great Idea! Thanks for sharing. Are you going to do anything special when you weld it since its a harder gear material?

RustyC · Oct 5, 2020

Looking good Jduck. Mount is sweet.
1999 up Superdutys use a 2 pc rear driveshaft. Carrier bearing and 1410 joints. I use one in my Jeep uncut.
Non greaseable carrier bearing only lasts about 3 years, due to debris and pressure washing.

Jduck · Oct 6, 2020

Blase said:
Great Idea! Thanks for sharing. Are you going to do anything special when you weld it since its a harder gear material?

I didn't do anything different than normal when I welded it up. It's been on two trips, the second trip I twisted the .120 wall shaft between the bearing and axle.

Blase · Oct 7, 2020

Jduck said:
I didn't do anything different than normal when I welded it up. It's been on two trips, the second trip I twisted the .120 wall shaft between the bearing and axle.

Thanks. I'll for sure be doing this on my next build.

bgredjeep · Oct 7, 2020

Mine is similar, but I bought the machined down 14 bolt pinion from Jimmy Penner. It mounts through an f250 carrier bearing. I've been running it for a couple years now. So far so good.

Jduck · Dec 21, 2020

Blase said:
Thanks. I'll for sure be doing this on my next build.

Well the weld broke after a couple more trips. Redid the shaft with 1/4 wall this time, added some plug welds and preheated everything before welding. I'll report back on how it holds up this go around.