[JDracing57]

I am putting a 9 inch in a ford ranger with approximately 400 HP what should the pinion angle be?

[Triaged]

Here are some of the first results of a search of the Knowledge Base

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16319
http://www.buickperformance.com/Pinion.htm
Axle Housing Install - Pinion Angle Help
Pinion Angles and Driveline Setup for the Street
Pinion angle

[JDracing57]

Thanks for the info.

[user151]

Originally Posted by Triaged

Here are some of the first results of a search of the Knowledge Base

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16319
http://www.buickperformance.com/Pinion.htm
Axle Housing Install - Pinion Angle Help
Pinion Angles and Driveline Setup for the Street
Pinion angle

Well I'm confused... in the last referenced link, centerline shows a mailburacing drawing and says it does not show pinion angle (he is correct, it shows pinion to driveshaft angle), but then he shows an Inand Empire drawing that shows the same thing!

What I gather is that the pinion and trans output shaft angles should be parallel (that is, equal but opposite sign angles) to eliminate vibration .... AND (here's the kicker) the U-joint angles should be 1 (min) to 3 (max) degrees to minimize U-joint wear.

Setting the former does not guarantee the latter... it would depend on how long your driveshaft is. Am I missing something? Can someone clarify this ror me?

Thanks, Tom

[Centerline]

Originally Posted by user151

Well I'm confused... in the last referenced link, centerline shows a mailburacing drawing and says it does not show pinion angle (he is correct, it shows pinion to driveshaft angle), but then he shows an Inand Empire drawing that shows the same thing!

What I gather is that the pinion and trans output shaft angles should be parallel (that is, equal but opposite sign angles) to eliminate vibration .... AND (here's the kicker) the U-joint angles should be 1 (min) to 3 (max) degrees to minimize U-joint wear.

Setting the former does not guarantee the latter... it would depend on how long your driveshaft is. Am I missing something? Can someone clarify this ror me?

Thanks, Tom

Actually those parameters are pretty easy to set up in almost any vehicle. In a "T" bucket or something similar that has a very short driveshaft it may require some trans angle adjustment but generally speaking those settings are pretty easy to achieve. As long as you're setup falls within those you should not have a problem. Keep in mind though that this is a "street" setup. Setting up pinion angle for racing is different.

[ScoTFrenzel]

Originally Posted by user151

Well I'm confused... in the last referenced link, centerline shows a mailburacing drawing and says it does not show pinion angle (he is correct, it shows pinion to driveshaft angle), but then he shows an Inand Empire drawing that shows the same thing!

What I gather is that the pinion and trans output shaft angles should be parallel (that is, equal but opposite sign angles) to eliminate vibration .... AND (here's the kicker) the U-joint angles should be 1 (min) to 3 (max) degrees to minimize U-joint wear.

Setting the former does not guarantee the latter... it would depend on how long your driveshaft is. Am I missing something? Can someone clarify this ror me?

Thanks, Tom

You not only have a vertical displacement but also a lateral displacement of shafts centerline due to pinion offset slightly to one side of the vehicle.
The trans shaft centerline and the differential pinion centerlines should be parallel, theoretically, but in practicality the pinion angle points down 1 1/2 to 4* in static (non running) conditions because power load will cause rear suspension joint flex, or leaf spring twist. In such cases the theoretical centerline is zero under the anticipated load. It will not always be correct because load and suspension travel constantly vary.
The maximum joint angularity is 3* in any driving conditions.