Does anyone know the pinion angle on our trucks I am using a Ford 8.8 axle and I have to weld on the leaf spring mounts/pads whatever and I want to make sure I have the right pinion angle. Someone help me out, please.
Pinion angle is easy. Go get a protractor or smart level. The angle should match the angle of the yoke driving it. If the yoke in front is -3 deg then the pinion should be +3 deg. It should never go more then 3 deg eather way through the hole travle of the rear end. Normaly the yoke driving the rear end is a negitave angle so the pinion is a positive. Here is one way. http://www.carcraft.com/howto/91758/index.html
Oh ok I see how it works now. I thought there was a set angle or some crap. Next question, should I use these perches(see link) so I can adjust the angle, or do you think that when I launch they will just twist?
No... Don't use thoes. Just get the weld on type. You can find real nice ones at the local 4X4 shop. Mesure the spring width and match up the perch to the spring. Here is a link to what you should look for. Or you can get them from them. They ship and the price is good. Thiese are anti-wrap type. The perch is longer so it gets more contact with the spring. You will need new "U" bolts. Use the old ones to mesure with. There is usaly a local spring shop that can set you up with bolst or perches. When welding on the new perch first tack it down on all 4 corners. Then have a rag and bucket of water. COOL everything. Weld 1/4 of each perch at a time. COOL right after with the rag. then work the other side. Cool it. then back to the other side. Repeate the back and forth and cool thing untill it's done. It's best to set the truck "LIGHTLY" on the perchs and rear end for tack welding and alinment. All faberaction should be done in place if possable. In your case it would be the tack welding. If you don't have a welder then clean all parts with a grinder in the area that is to be welded. Mark with a sharpy and take to a welder guy. Do you have a welder? If so how big?
Sorry, my truck has almost come to a halt I am leaving for Afghanistan soon and due to the nature of my deployment I have to train, train and train some more. I did order those anti-wrap ones though.