Quote:
And Joe somehow thought this would work ?
Is it a real weld nut, or just some nut from Lowe's hardware that he welded on ?

I thought he was an engineer or something....
I'll check ont he weld nut vs a Lowes nut. He has a fabrication shop do all the welding, he just drills, specs, and finishes the end result. I assume they are using real weld nuts.
No, Joe is not an engineer. He is a telecomm specialist in the Air Force for his day job. I didn't know you had to be... Are Steve and Spencer engineers? Oh, I'm a mechanical engineer, but I can't build parts for shit, but i CAN recognize a good design.

Quote:
Originally posted by ChuckH:
BP, you are right. There's no way the U-bolts could come down straight without either removing the plates that go over the top of the axle or replacing them with some that are wider. The shape of the Skidderz plates moves the U-bolts out farther, but the top plate won't allow that. That's why they come down at an angle. I would think they would develop some proper top lates to fix this problem. I don't know what the effect of slanted U-Bolts may be.
The U-bolts aren't slanted. Not sure what those flimsy plates do that sit on top of the axle, but you remove em when you put these on. The Skidder does move the U-bolts out wider, but there is no need to replace those plates. If you'll closely inspect your rear end you'll notice there is a weld that moves along the horizontal plane. This weld has been ground down where the OEM u-bolts cross this plane. Since the new U-bolts are now sit at a wider stance, they don't have this. Getting the new U-bolts where they need to be takes a tap or two with a hammer to get them to even out align correctly), but it's not a show stopper by any means.

BTW the new U-bolts are 9/16in thick in diameter. That's about the size of the base of your index finger. I'd like to see you fail those.

Quote:
Originally posted by xoc:
One more thing, anyone thinking of buying these should check out Darlington's [b]Statement of Non-Liability.

They are for off road use only, and if they break, it will be the result of your own decision to use them. He disclaims all responsibility for failure.

Sounds like he really stands behind his products... [Freak] [/b]
And Joe will stand behind his products. Every aftermaket vendor has a disclaimer similar to this one. That's to protect you from being sued when you, the idiot driver, drive your truck off a cliff and then want to come back and sue the vendor for your poor decision. The americal legal system has forced this into existence everywhere. Gimme a break.

Here's Calmini\'s

Ian, I appluad your skepticism, but why are you trying to kill these? Pointing out design flaws is great because that equals better safer products, but slamming a company (or individual for that matter) you've never dealt with I find silly.

Every design issue you've had beef with (only one) has already been corrected. What more do you want... A free set to "review" [Freak] ?
Take that up with Joe.

If you don't like them, or don't won't to deal with Joe, don't buy them.

Bottom Line guys, if you are interested in these, don't just take my word for it, call Joe and express your concerns. He really is a super cool guy to deal with.

joe@darlington-offroad.com
Darlington Off-Road Products
592 N.6th E. St.
Mountain Home, Idaho, 83647, US
phone: 208-587-3922 fax: 786-551-2803
_________________________
"Goddammit, I don't want FOP, I want Dapper Dan. I'm a Dapper Dan man!