angles on driveshaft / u-Joints stock leafsprings with caltracs

The angle stuff is a little complicated, but here's what I know. The main goal is that the trans angle match or run parallel when the vehicle/suspension is under load. I think most people would say 2* down on the trans tail is about standard. But anywhere from 1*-3* is acceptable. You want to measure with the car at full weight on the ground on a level surface. Whatever you measure their is opposite of what the rear should be at under load. (So 1*-3* loaded)

To reiterate, if your trans is 2* down, the pinion should be 2* up under load so that the u-joint angles match and are parallel. This is where you're gonna prevent wear, reduce friction and keep from breaking stuff.

Here's the rub with leaf spring suspensions. The stuff I've read says rear leafs allow 6-7* of pinion travel from unloaded to load depending on suspension and age. And talking to caltracs guys they say 3-5* of travel based on wear and how firm you have your caltracs set.

So if your trans was 2* down, your goal would be 2* up pinion when loaded. So assuming 5* with good leafs and caltracs, you'd want to be sitting 3* down at the pinion on the ground, so that it would "wind up" 5* as predicted and sit at 2*up loaded...

Clear as Mud?!

Joe