kingpin vs. balljoint

[wrangler]

Which is better on an axle, kingpin joints or ball joints and why?

 

[Tacoma]

uh oh

I like kingpins: bearings are farther apart, they are easily and cheaply serviced, aaannnnndd.... less slop when they start wearing. And again, easily serviced.

 

[Chevycrew]

If you are talking 60's it is much cheaper to install high steer/crossover on a kingpin axle. The ball joint axles have to have work done to the knuckle, ie: welding and fab.

 

[jet_aj]

I've built quite a few D60 style Kingpin assemblies (2wd) and I like them. you can rebuild one fairly easily, Unless its been in an underground mine for over 6 months. The only problem I ever had was replacing lower bearing races. If they have been in there for a long time they can really give ya a fight... which is probably why the newer axles are ball joint. But, If I had my choice I would go King Pin because of like Chevycrew stated, the high steer. Its something I have worked with a lot.

 

[wrangler]

ok right on, thanks

 

[Tacoma]

Newer axles are balljoint because it is much cheaper to manufacture.

 

[BlackDog]

Are they weaker?(ball joint that is) The donor truck has a ball joint 60 and I am dying to know the pro's and con's of that axle...

 

[Tacoma]

eh, maybe, but effectively? Not really. Especially if it's going in a buggy or a Jeep.

 

[RockMonkey]

Are they weaker?(ball joint that is) The donor truck has a ball joint 60 and I am dying to know the pro's and con's of that axle...

I ran a ball-joint 60 in a competition rig for four years. I beat the crap out of it constantly and never had a problem with the ball joints. I made my own high-steer arm and welded it onto the knuckle. I never had a problem with that either. I would buy a ball-joint 60 again. That said, I now have a kingpin 60 and am looking forward to bolting on a high-steer arm or two.

 

[BlackDog]

Are they weaker?(ball joint that is) The donor truck has a ball joint 60 and I am dying to know the pro's and con's of that axle...

subtly related question if you had to choose between the Sterling 10.25 that is a matched (if you will -both born at the same time to the same truck) axle to the ball joint 60, and a 22 year old Dana 60 rear that is not matched (if you will-diesel truck that is donating drivetrain goodies, taht is 9 years older than the b.j. 60 and sterling combo) to the Ball Joint Dana 60... which axle combo would you build? Dana/Sterling, or 60/60

 

[Meat_]

60/60 or better yet 60/70 or 60/14

 

[Tacoma]

X2, what Meat said.

 

[BlackDog]

Cool. guess I will Lincoln lock the Sterling, and build the Dana first.

 

[jsudar]

I was down at the Ford dealer today talking to the alignment guy and told him I needed caster/camber adjusters for my 4x4 kingpin style Dana 60. He looked at me like I was crazy and asked how you can fit an axle shaft through a kingpin. Then he mumbled something about trunions. Is that another name for kingpins? Or what exactly is a trunion?

BTW, I am really liking my kingpin (trunion?) D60, but I am putting a 14 bolt under my Ford. I opted not to get the matching Sterling when I had the chance.

 

[offroadlogan]

x2 on the king pin vs trunion question

 

[mbryson]

I thought a trunion was part of a U-joint. It's not like I'm a master or anything, though.


Not that Petersen's is the end all/be all of tech, but....http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/drivetrain/131_0803_4x4_universal_joint_tech/index.html

 

[I Lean]

I think the correct terminology is Trunnion, an actual kingpin is a solid link from top to bottom--think a big bolt running through the upper and lower pivot points of the knuckle, like a lawn tractor.

 

[Tacoma]

The more interesting question though, is : why do you need caster/camber adjustment?????


edit: the only caster adjustment I'm aware of is those weird adjustable kingpins.... and they are kind of pricey.

 

[RockMonkey]

Am I the only one here who is more familiar with Dana 60s than lawn tractors?

 

[Tacoma]

No. I'm a lot more familiar with 60's than lawn tractors.