new axle growing pains, old basscat

[Smokie]

Hi guys. I bought a new rockwell american axle to replace the axle on my basscat. I ride a pantera II with a single axle and had a hub go and take the axle with it, I replaced it with the rockwell with new springs and hardware and its nice, but its really close to touching the bottom of my boat, I'm afraid it will touch when flexing. My old axle, I'm assuming was factory from basscat had a "drop" square tube setup to accommodate the extra space that the new straight and round tube don't. I also had a bunk board crack which I still need to replace, my mechanic light bulb lit up, n had the thought to replace the 2x4s that are my bunks with 4x4s to raise my boat an inch and change, fixing both problems I have hopefully. I'm wondering if any of you guys have done the same and it worked out, seen it on a buds boat, ect... or tried and it was a bad idea and made it rough to unload n load, it seems like a logical quick fix, butt i've been snagged before... bad... looking back, it seems like if i just bought the axle from basscat straight up, i wouldnt have the tight squeeze issue, but i tried to tuff stuff up with this beefcake rockwell and now its to close to feel good about to rubbing my hull so i might give the 4x4 method a go unless you guys have wisdom i dont, and can spare me some problems, lord knows ive had enough of them lately so any help is gratefully appreciated. thanks fellas and fisherma'am's

[Topwater All Day]

I also have a PII and replaced my axle last year, but mine is the torsion style so not much help for you. My suggestion would be to post this question over on the Bass Boat Central Bass Cat forum or on the Bass Cat Owner's forum as there are tons of Bass Cat guys on there all the time. I would take some pics and post them with your question as well.

Good luck!

[Smokie]

I took your advice and put it on basscat owners boards, hopefully I can find some advice b4 just going for it, but replacing my bunks with bigger lumber seems logical to fit right for the gap i need for the new axle, hopefully it is really that easy, Im due up for an easy problem. I was wondering did you go with a new axle from basscat direct, or did you replace yours with a different brand like me, and if so did all go well with it fitting, or did going with an aftermarket univerisal brand affect the way things fit. It was almost double what I paid to order one from basscat and I didnt get the cheapest **** I could find either, I like heavy duty stuff on my toys and I'm big on made in america, but basscats price got me to looking elsewhere, but looking back maybe theres a reason for the price since they fit perfectly from basscat... I think that 4x4s today are only slightly bigger than the old school real 2x4s on my trailer anyway...

[Topwater All Day]

I had mine done at a trailer shop in Rancho Cordova called Marv's trailer. We talked about buying direct from Bass Cat, but he told me there really is only one place that makes the torsion axles, so most likely Bass Cat is just getting them from there as well. It was a place in Texas that makes them and they were less than buying direct.

Good luck with yours and hopefully you get some answers...

[mark poulson]

Try using pressure treated 3X4. You'll gain an inch, but should still line up with your winch.

[Trace]

Would a lifting block under the spring work like On the back of a truck?