“I would recommend not doing what I’ve done”😂😂😂 where would be if nobody tried anything? You keep it up and we’ll keep watching and learning!

Always giving me motivation to just do stuff instead of overthinking everything 😂

When i was 16 i bagged my first truck 88 s10 w a sbc we narrowed a caprice rear housing used the factory caprice 4 link and slid the s10 shafts in it woorked like a champ for a broke kid

💣 You just blew my mind 💣 with that hack using a piece of muffler pipe! Great job

Your channel has quickly become one of my favourites. Keep up the great work good sir!

Thank you Mr. Chappelle! Appreciate your videos tremendously and get something out of each and every one😊✌️

"I might be ruining my truck" I'm really glad you said that because I was saying that recently too. Every day is a school day.

I need to narrow a rear and for my Plymouth duster and have been trying to figure out a way to avoid buying that expensive fixture or sending it off. Well, now I know what I can do !

That worked out flawlessly and not having to get custom axle shafts for the WIN

A late 70’s ford courier rear axle is narrower and still six lug. I had one on my body dropped Mazda B2200.

That sleeve is sick! I hose clamped 3 angle iron chunks around the tube to hold it straight on my 8.8.

I've watched a number of videos about hydraulic cylinders and when those are rebuilt and a new tube is needed the technique is to cut the welds for both ends and then the flange end and the blind end come off with a slight bit per persuasion. The ends are designed to have a precise fit in the barrel to aid with alignment. I think this axle is manufactured the same way. Those hub flanges look like they insert into the ID of the axle tube. Cutting the weld between the flange and tube (just the weld, not all the way through) should allow the flange to be removed and then the end of the tube can be shortened and the flange re-inserted into the end of the tube. I've never tried this, but looking at the cut off end at 10:42 gave me the idea. Looks like you got it done and that's whats important. This thing is going to be awesome when its done.

Nice job on that Dave! I'm a little behind on your content but am catching up. Another way you can help yourself line up something like this without the "right tools". You can use two thick pieces of angle and clamp them in place spanning the two axle pieces to line them up. Keep up the great work dude!

Way better than bolting a bunch of donated parts on a rig. This is the real world, nice going.

Awesome! I was thinking “well at least it’s not a real expensive one like a Dana 44 or Dana 60. Nissan axles are pretty cheap and easy to come by.” That’s awesome! When I built my’90 Nissan pickup, I had to graft on 4x4 front fender bulges to get my wheels to fit. I was static dropped on flipped springs, cut perches and a c- notch. I only had a 2” body drop. Back then (1991) nobody was using air ride yet.

learning alot an enjoying your videos more an more dave

Love how you jump in and see what happens. You’re rad, Dave!

I used an exhaust pipe expander from Harbor freight on the inside and some c/u channel on the outside to narrow my 8.8. It worked awesome.

I love love love what you are doing been with you from day one back at dirt everyday till now but only my left earbud has sound it’s 11:27pm I’m in bed my wife is asleep I really really need left and right sound in my ear buds bud 😮😢😂

Dude when you drained that axle and the oil started coming out, holy crap I have never seen such clean gear ⚙️ oil 🛢 so so so clean. Wow

Nice work! Your spline engagement shouldn’t change, just pushing the previous unengaged splines into the diff/spider gears. I’m guessing you got to the end of the usable splines and that’s what bottomed out. I’m glad you pulled it out a 1/16th, or so. Nice work, my man! That exhaust sleeve was trick!!

You need to buy a lottery ticket. The ID of the axle housing being 2.5", a big stroke of luck. Nicely done Sir!

love the content dave. Looking forward to more 'Zuki content.

I did something very similar. I sleeved it internally also. Housing never broke with a locker + big tyres + 400hp. Had new axles though

Totally love the "let's just see if this can be done" moments on your show.

Awesome work! I love the idea of the exhaust pipe coupler. Your attitude towards your work is refreshing too. You're incredibly humble and have a valuable skillset. I learned a lot from you and Fred on DED, and I'm going to keep tuning in to both of your channels. Your time on this platform is truly appreciated. Thanks Dave!

While others are preaching the proper ways to do everything, you’re just getting it done!!! Great job Dave.

Fun day. Woulda been a blast. I miss fabricating. When you sang, "I'm about to screw up my truck" in my head, Fred made up and sang another line...lol.

I have complete confidence in your workmanship Dave. Thank You for sharing your video, and letting us hang out.

Good job Dave. I can appreciate your no fear approach. Like button energized.

Damn that’s a super clean hardbody.

Just found your site recently after spending years watching you and Fred, love the time you take explaining everything in detail, keep pumping out the great tutorials.

Cut and paste! Gotta love arts and crafts!😊

Man I’ve always wondered how a narrowed axel was made now it all makes sense. Thanks Dave your a big inspiration for my diy mechanic dreams. Hope to see you out on the trails some day.

Awesome job, first time I have seen anyone shorten an axle.

I must say you are awesome and you're right that has been on the back of my mind for the longest time on what I'm going to do about getting my tires to tuck under my fenders. The exhaust pipe trick you did... I feel your excitement. I did the exact same thing and got just as excited when I built my first drive shaft for my Nissan. New subscriber here keep up the great work.

Love the fabrication videos! I like your willing to experiment and take us along even if it don't work out. Life's not about perfection! Keep up the great content!

Man I just figured out dirt every day was cancelled....I'm glad I found your KZfaq man. Watching faster with Finnegan right now... You were like a Jesse James inspiration for me to get into welding dude glad your on here.

Nice work my dude.

Hey Dave, your videos inspired me to go snow wheeling with my friends. I was nervous driving the untested jeep on the street, but it was probably one of my most favorite wheeling trips ever.

Mistakes happen it's ok as long as you learn and not make the same mistakes over and over again.... having the balls to try priceless

It's cool watching how you fab stuff up. I learn cool little tricks

Awesome video Dave! Been watching you on “Dirt” for years. Really enjoy getting to see more in depth videos of your fab skills. Thank you.

Truck is going to be great when you're done. Love the minis slammed in the weeds 👍

You’re doing a great job with these. Super informative and you make it seem approachable.

That looks mint!! I don't see any issue with it other than not a lot of spline engagement. But since it's a mintruck, with minimal power, it should be fine. It will be fine, until it isn't at least!

I've got faith in your skills dave,the exhaust tubing was a great idea.

That was awesome! The exhaust tubing saved your butt!

I love all the cool stuff you do and all the rad cars you work on. I wish Dirt Every Day was still a thing but you are killing it on your own! Thanks for sharing

Thats awesome and pretty ingenious. You motivate me to get my junk done. Keep up the great work.

I can’t wait to see it with the bed set back on it!!!

... good to see u back with Dave and Cotton ..Old Lady ask me if I 'm a minitrucker .. ahhh .. damn am I ? ... I like this stuff ..

So cool you have your own channel now, you make great content Dave thanks for sharing!

Massive improvement with your audio, thank you so much!!

Gives me the confidence to try this on an axle someday hopefully soon.

Not too many people would have done what you just did. Nice work.

Nothing like a little dirt head shed and working on my 60 thunderbird project!

Favorite Comment, "I don't know that this is a tutorial,.... This is a life experiment"

Great tutorial and video. Looking forward to seeing the video on the rear suspension. I am re doing the rear setup on my body dropped Tacoma. Wanting to run similar to you but also have lift bars going back and keep the tank in the stock location. Keep Mini Truckin'

Man that's crazy. Cutting up the axle. I'm impressed with your fab skills. I'd be happy just being able to repair the rust spots on my f250. 😂 keep it up.

We used to just buy 2 more 4x4 front fenders and cut the flare out and replace with the 4x4 flare. We didnt have to skill to cut up axles though. Sheet metal just seems easier

I hope it works as well. Thanks for sharing!

Super cool to see your thought process and how you were able to work through your axle being too wide!

Hey Dave, I've done it that way but, I used thin walled DOM & drilled holes for rosette welds. You'll be fine!!!

Makes plan and does it, true skills

Great video!

Loving your videos! Also was great seeing you on Faster with Finnegan!

Super great idea looks like it'll work 🦅🇺🇸💪😁👍

Think if you cut along the body line that creates the flare, then pick a horizontal line toward the lower part of the bed side and cut there, then do a vertical cut in the center between the top and bottom cuts, then you can pull the centers out and weld in wedge shaped pieces to fill the gaps top and bottom and in the center gap.

I would've done the same thing. I saw the lengthened splines done by handy skinny wheel work.. I was hoping you'd clamp a piece of angle iron on the outside when tacking it in place. But it looks like it will be just fine! Keep the content coming!

I use angle iron in 2 or more places for tube alignment. I've done this to 4 or 5 Ford housings with good results.

Good episode! Can't wait to see how it all fits. Fingers crossed for ya! Can't wait to see when it's all done! Your making me want a mini truck!!! Had a buddy that had a Datsun 620 back in the day that rode worse than my lifted Jeep CJ, it was awesome!!! LMAO!!!

I plan on doing this with a Dana 60 that's going in my blown Vega wagon, but I'll be shortening mine to the point of needing custom axles regardless, but it's nice to see that my plans for doing this myself are definitely doable, so thanks for the confirmation.

Great job on your fit up. Looks like you nailed it. I’ve never done a axle before but in some cases of pipe welding where it’s connected to pumps we use dial gauges to show deflection. Some times then a tig torch is used to “dry run” the weld without adding filler to get it the metal to shrink and draw in that direction. Maybe useless information but could also mean the difference in having to cut something apart.

Like a glove!

Mini Truckin’s not dead

you are awesome love the video

Amazing video, thanks!!

hot damn thats a lotta work to get a 1" narrower axle 🤣🤣

Hey Dave you should consider doing a little Q&A style thing like Ian does over at his Big Tire Garage KZfaq channel. Pick 2-3 random questions in the comments and answer in the video.

Seems like it should be good. I’ve seen worse things done to axles that still worked…hahaha I’m sure yours will be just fine. Minitruckin at it’s best! If it don’t fit, cut it and make it fit.

Band your weld for extra reinforcement when striking n hard bump or hole in the road

Looks good! I think it will work fine.

Dave, you need some wall racks for your jack stands...

Love you channel Dave. I think you’re bottoming out the end of your splines and so the axle can’t go deeper. Not the end of your axle to the inside of the spider gear. To be safe you might pull the axles and center section and set them up on the bench to be sure. Take that cut off wheel and cut longer splines down the axle.

It would be interesting to see the camber and the toe.

Looks awesome, man. Keep up the good content!

Thanks for not pulling the bedsides, Dave. It always looks like an afterthought

I love it just getting it done 🤙🏼

the narrowed 8.8 i have for a toyota wasnt narrowed like that but looks like it works. Should try and get the merc out to the vintiques in yakima. huge show, tons of amazing cars.

Looks awesome!

So what was the finished outside-wheel to wheel measurement? Couldn’t believe you left us in suspense on that 😮

It's not a hot rod unless it's a little sketch. Looks like the sleeving came out really nice actually.

Hell yeah!

That's another way of narrowing an axle you could always have the spines cut longer on the axle shaft later 😉

Nice!

Woo hoo! I'm viewer #1553. Well done video and tutorial.

Have to show us how to narrow and weld an axle shaft back together :)

I miss my old hardbody.

Great vid as usual Dave. FYI I'm only getting sound from the left ear bud. Maybe its a camera setting or a setting in the video editor?