That of course is the other option. Also factor in your time for the replacements. But again a tradeoff, lift vs. stress on stock components. One advantage of the lift is you can run taller tires and thus gain under-axle clearance. So if you can gain an inch of clearance going from 31" to a 33" tire, then you have a choice to make of giving back some of that clearance to lower the CV angles or keep all the clearance and possible shorten the CV boot and joint life. Both are valid options, some folks may choose one, some may choose the other.

 

well i put my order in already... i think i'll build a skid plate for it out of some plate steel.

 

Something we all must consider here when increasing travel on old CV boots is that they might tear. Rubber exposed to the elements for a decade or more will harden and become more brittle. If you want maximize CV boot life, flex the CV's and therefore suspension as little as possible. However, if you want more travel, more CV flex is just unavoidable. It's a tradeoff with which we all must deal.

I've been fortunate to have torn one boot while removing a half shaft and wedging it. Never tore one while driving.

Manual hubs are very good to have.

Frank

 

i would agree with you on that, but the boot i just tore had less then 200 miles on it.

 

I have a bit of an odd request for all that have torn boots.

Could you post up with the following info.

Your rim size if other than 15".
The distance between the edge of the rim and fender lip.
How many miles were traversed with the front shafts spinning. Your best guess is fine.
The year of your truck if it's not in your sig.
The age of your CV boots when they gave it up.

Thanks,

Frank

 

Frank-
1)15" rim
2)16" (I do have a 2" BL tho)
3)1-2 maybe less
4)1991
5)2 weeks
I blew 2 more boots again about 3 weeks ago I put maybe 10 miles probably more like 5 on em only 2 with the hubs locked

 

With 14" rim to fender (minus the body lift) you only have an inch or less left over stock. Seems that would not be the cause of the problems. What sort of boots are you using (brand name, material, etc.)? I've had some CV boots on my VW that lasted on a few weeks/months before tearing while the stock/OEM ones might last many, many years.

 

hmm...these were/are the napa premium new (not reman) replacement cvs with rubber boots not sure any other specifics they've got i think 4 ridges.

 

I thought the same thing Roger just posted when I read those figures.

Maybe posting up a front shot of the half shafts would shed some more light.

The other thing I thought of is how are the boots clipped on? If they are clipped tightly on the shaft and not slid up far enough towards the CV joint, that could stress the boot more than it likes.

Frank

 

hmmm i replaced my cv boot with a napa replacement one. (found the small tear in the stock boot while i was putting my lift on) im runing 16" rim to fender 15" rims for the past year and a half with manual locking hubs and haven't had any rips

 

I havent had any rips since I went with oem boots. It has been over a year, and quite a few miles in 4x

 

I'll snap a pic tomorrow...kinda dark and rainy tonite