Oops, not done yet. Here's the 8.8" setup in my car...

 

And finally, the hybrid axle I made for test fitting and finding the proper center shaft length.



The first pair of 300M chromemoly hybrid axles are being made right now, and there are four people waiting for copies of my Cobra IRS cradle.

 

I have a MIG welder, but I'm no expert. I have all my final fabrication and TIG welding done by a friend who builds custom show cars for a living. I just fabricate welding jigs or machine pieces like the steering rack brackets for the engine cradle to help out.



An example of my welding...

 

nice work man

 

It's no row of nickels but it'll work.

Seriously thats not bad for MIG welding.

 

Thanks.



I milled out the center of the Cobra end to the diameter of the FD axle, then used a chop saw to cut the FD axle down to the length with about 2" of free play to slide it in or out as needed. I drilled and tapped three holes in a "Y" configuration in the Cobra portion and used 14mm bolts to hold the FD axle in place temporarily while I got the fitment right (see below). Then I welded it in place to make it permanent, but it was never intended to be used for anything but measuring the overall length for the new center shafts.



The production axles won't neck up to the large diameter of the center of the Cobra axles, because it's just extra weight and doesn't add any strength. They'll be a single diameter from end to end and come with new CV boots for the Cobra end that fit the smaller diameter axle. I was quoted $600 for everything, including grease, which is $250+ less than RP's 300M axles.

 

So you mocked up the entire rear end only to ship it out and have someone else make the final product?

Again, thats well executed.

 

I 2nd that motion.

 

damn that's sick. if only you could just drop it in.

 

So what's the final cost of the conversion?