[bobcowan]

Pinion angle is often misunderstood. Of you do a google search, you'll find some really great articles with pictures to explain it all really well.

But, there is one key point to setting pinion angle, and I think this is the most important point. The pinion is the input shaft of the differential. You want that angle to be about 1.5* downward compared to the transmission output shaft angle. Not the horizon. This is the key point. Not the horizon.

U-joint angle also plays a part here. And that's important for us because the drive shaft is so short. Ideally, the U-joint angle should be 0.5-3.5*. Some U-joints made for off roading can take more, though.

Your drive shaft looks to be about 8-9*. Usually the engine and transmission angle (AKA Power Angle) is about 5*, pointing down in the back. If that's true, then you're probably pretty close.

The picture looks like a lot more than 3*. But pictures can be deceiving, so you just have to measure and do the math.