Stitch welding tubes/Trussing a M20

[HillBillE]

Need to start this thing off! Here's an overview of how I reinforced my AMC 20 diff.



Well, got it stitched and trussed today. Time consuming to say the least, you're not kidding muskyslayr!! Not only making patterns and cutting out the steel, but having to weld, let it cool, weld, let it cool and so on, so as to not get to much heat and warp anything.
It came out pretty good, now have to see how it holds up!
Stitching the tubes,
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/AMC20%20truss/trussAMC20003.jpg
Very important everything is super clean, definetly don't want any impurities getting into these welds.
Rear truss piece,
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/AMC20%20truss/trussAMC20005.jpg
Stitching on the top piece,
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/AMC20%20truss/trussAMC20007.jpg
The finished product,
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/AMC20%20truss/trussAMC20009.jpg
It's 2" wide, with a plate front and rear, and the top welded on fully. The truss is only stitch welded to the tubes and pig.

[HMRRSQ]

;) Great write up Randy!!! :) Heh on the third pic there's a piece of metal laying at the pinion area? Whats it gettin' used for?

[HillBillE]

;) Great write up Randy!!! :) Heh on the third pic there's a piece of metal laying at the pinion area? Whats it gettin' used for?

Thanks John!! Thats the other 1/2 of the 'box'. It matches the rear plate, and the 2'' wide strip was welded to both, making a box like truss.

[HMRRSQ]

it almost looked like the makings of a pinion guard!!

[HMRRSQ]

it almost looked like the makings of a pinion guard!!


heh something you might wanna think about is closing the welds on your truss. Nasty place to gather mud and stuff, if its not sealed completely.
Just a thought??

[HillBillE]

heh something you might wanna think about is closing the welds on your truss. Nasty place to gather mud and stuff, if its not sealed completely.
Just a thought??

That crossed my mind, even though I try and stay out of the mud, it gets everywhere.

I didn't weld it complete at the time, becuase of the heat,although doing a bit at a tme will be OK.

Two other thoughts I've had on it,
1: is to use a sealant like caulking around the seams, but it would keep in any moisture.

2: is to drill holes in the truss with different size hole saws, so any mud/debris could be washed out.

Thinking like this:
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n274/hillbillecj7/AMC20%20truss/trussAMC20008a1.jpg

[HMRRSQ]

That looks better!! ;)
This way the mud and other stuff would have a place to go.
I like, I like alot!! Looks great!

[02tj]

Nice work Bro!!!!!!

[Truck]

That looks great. I agree with the holes though. You still have the strength but you can clean it out.

Truck

[HillBillE]

Yeah, I wish I had access to a dimple die when I was building the truss, that would help with strength, and look realy cool!!

[Truck]

yeah, dimple die punches are kewl..

Truck

[HillBillE]

UPDATE:
Had to dig this up again:D The axle is holding up great, and it's been put through the paces!

I even locked it up, when the cross shaft in the carrier broke in 3, and got wedged between the ring/pinion. Ended up twisting the output shaft off the T-case!:eek: