Topic: Marlin 25mm Pin upgrade with 6 stud arms

[awhotrods]

Looking at getting some extra strength out of my knuckles/steering arms, has anyone installed the HD pin upgrade in 6 stud knuckles yet?

[OOPS]

Looking at getting some extra strength out of my knuckles/steering arms, has anyone installed the HD pin upgrade in 6 stud knuckles yet?

If they are TG arms, they will have to be reamed out for the pins to fit. If you are one of the lucky people like me and have a set of billet arms that Marlin made, plug and play. You notice I said reamed instead of drilled because reaming is more accurate then drilling.

[awhotrods [OP]]

Pretty sure I have TG forged arms, came with the truck.  I didn't know Marlin had a billet version, that would be sweet!!

If they are TG arms, they will have to be reamed out for the pins to fit. If you are one of the lucky people like me and have a set of billet arms that Marlin made, plug and play. You notice I said reamed instead of drilled because reaming is more accurate then drilling.

[OOPS]

Pretty sure I have TG forged arms, came with the truck.  I didn't know Marlin had a billet version, that would be sweet!!

Marlin made them when the six stud knuckles were first being designed by Marlin and Chris. When Chris bailed and went to TG he said the design was all his own and took it with him. Instead of fighting about it Marlin just let it go. There are very few sets of the Marlins out there, I just happened to get a set when I broke one of Marlins arms and he replaced them for me since they also would work on stock knuckles.

[awhotrods [OP]]

Makes sense, after you own a 6 stud arms, stock parts look like toys.. lol  I'm upgrading to ARP studs too, should be nice & strong.

Marlin made them when the six stud knuckles were first being designed by Marlin and Chris. When Chris bailed and went to TG he said the design was all his own and took it with him. Instead of fighting about it Marlin just let it go. There are very few sets of the Marlins out there, I just happened to get a set when I broke one of Marlins arms and he replaced them for me since they also would work on stock knuckles.

[awhotrods [OP]]

Just got off the phone with Atteberry, according to him no one has done this mod yet, successfully...  People are just reaming the arms out by hand & having alignment issues with arms/knuckles/etc.  Has anyone done this & have trail time on the parts?  Really want to do this mod, with 4D's, wheel spacers, etc it would give me some peace of mind.  

[OOPS]

Instead of having the holes in the arms made bigger you could have the pins machined down to fit. But IMO that would defeat the purpose and make them weaker. I broke a pin out of the arm and it was one inch. Myself I would have the holes in the arms made bigger. remember it is an interference fit.

[awhotrods [OP]]

I definitely want to machine the arms, not the pins.  Does anyone know how much "interference" is required to keep the pin tight in the arm?  Do the OD of the pin & the ID of the hole in the arm have to be exact?

Instead of having the holes in the arms made bigger you could have the pins machined down to fit. But IMO that would defeat the purpose and make them weaker. I broke a pin out of the arm and it was one inch. Myself I would have the holes in the arms made bigger. remember it is an interference fit.

[OOPS]

Goggle is amazing.

http://www.maelabs.ucsd.edu/mae_guides/Tolerance/Tolerancing.htm

[joeshmoe196]

.002-.003" should do. Best way to make sure  reaming it perfectly in the middle you need a bridgepprt or similar mill and take a drill bit or gauge pin that fits very snug in the hole of the arm and put it in the chuck then move the handle down and align the bore gauge or drill bit in the arm and snug up the vise the arm is in  and make sure the table of the miill doesn't move at all. Drill it out close to the size u need then find a reamer of the correct size and ream it

[awhotrods [OP]]

Google is the 

Thanks for sharing.

Goggle is amazing.

http://www.maelabs.ucsd.edu/mae_guides/Tolerance/Tolerancing.htm

 

.002-.003" should do. Best way to make sure  reaming it perfectly in the middle you need a bridgepprt or similar mill and take a drill bit or gauge pin that fits very snug in the hole of the arm and put it in the chuck then move the handle down and align the bore gauge or drill bit in the arm and snug up the vise the arm is in  and make sure the table of the miill doesn't move at all. Drill it out close to the size u need then find a reamer of the correct size and ream it

[joeshmoe196]

Just make sure to use a sharp reamer and use slow drill speed and plenty of cutting oil let us know how it works

[awhotrods [OP]]

Will do.  Ordering the kit in a few days..

Just make sure to use a sharp reamer and use slow drill speed and plenty of cutting oil let us know how it works

[Bobby Hunter]

or you could go 4x4 labs 6studs on stock knuckles

[joeshmoe196]

or you could go 4x4 labs 6studs on stock knuckles

Why would he do that?

[Bobby Hunter]

cause TG sucks LOL 

[OOPS]

Why would he do that?

He is talking about making your own 6-stud knuckles with 4x4 Labs parts.

http://www.4x4labs.com/products/steering/6-stud-knuckle-conversion-blocks/

[joeshmoe196]

I know what he was saying but it still wouldn't solve the OP problem

[Bobby Hunter]

well the 4x4 labs arms are press pin and billet vs tg cast arms so slightly easier

[superyota]

cast arms vs. welding billet to a cast knuckle?  i think the cast arm would be stronger.  i can't see welding to the knuckle being very strong, if not weakening it and causing stress from the heat.

[OOPS]

cast arms vs. welding billet to a cast knuckle?  i think the cast arm would be stronger.  i can't see welding to the knuckle being very strong, if not weakening it and causing stress from the heat.

If welded correctly it will be fine.

[junya92toy]

Cast steel or billet steel welding is still just welding steel. Cast can have porosity in it, billet wont. Now welding cast iron is very hard without proper procedures. On a steering arm, Id preheat very even, post heat, and let it cool very slow.

[freds40]

Sorry I've missed this one apparently. We have put 25mm pins into the 6 stud arms both TGs and 4X4 Labs. If you purchase the pin kit and send us the arms, we'll bore the arms for you at no charge. Just pay shipping both ways. 

[superyota]

Sorry I've missed this one apparently. We have put 25mm pins into the 6 stud arms both TGs and 4X4 Labs. If you purchase the pin kit and send us the arms, we'll bore the arms for you at no charge. Just pay shipping both ways. 

wow! can't beat that.  good to know.

[dweinberg01]

Just out of curiosity, what are some opinions on the longfield kit. http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com/products/5TH-STUD-HIGH-STEER-TRUNION-BOLT-SETUP.html

Worth looking in to or stay away from? Sorry to hijack.

[Sparkplug]

Sorry I've missed this one apparently. We have put 25mm pins into the 6 stud arms both TGs and 4X4 Labs. If you purchase the pin kit and send us the arms, we'll bore the arms for you at no charge. Just pay shipping both ways. 

Indeed, they even bored my old arms to fit the new pins, when I broke one, for FREE

[Bobby Hunter]

Just out of curiosity, what are some opinions on the longfield kit. http://www.longfieldsuperaxles.com/products/5TH-STUD-HIGH-STEER-TRUNION-BOLT-SETUP.html

Worth looking in to or stay away from? Sorry to hijack.

I know alot of guys that run it and love it they say it helps

[yotaneck13]

Indeed, they even bored my old arms to fit the new pins, when I broke one, for FREE

Sorry I've missed this one apparently. We have put 25mm pins into the 6 stud arms both TGs and 4X4 Labs. If you purchase the pin kit and send us the arms, we'll bore the arms for you at no charge. Just pay shipping both ways.  

       NOT to many shops out there with that kind of customer service.  That is why i will always choose marlin when possible.