Let's Talk Axle Reinforcement

[CactusDave]

I'd like to run tires bigger than the 37"s I have, but I'm on the fence about strengthing my stock D44's or just going to D60's.

Can anyone share some insight on these mods? Specifically, what order would you put them on? I know you have to take the entire axle apart to weld the gussets, so I guess people do everything to save on labor?

Gussets - I assume so the axle doesn't crack or bend?
RCV's - strength to handle the higher torque due to higher leverage from bigger tires?
Knuckles?
Chromoly shafts in the rear?

Also, people seem to focus on the front axle first. Is that the more common thing to break?

For people that have seen actual axle breakage on JL's, what have you seen break, and what were they doing?

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[RedundanT]

Gussets and RCV's are the way to go..........BUT! The average welder has NO business welding gussets on an axle, they can mess up more than was going to be fixed. If you are wheeling to the point you think you NEED 40's, you probably NEED a 14 bolt or Dana 60 conversion. Running 40's is not a cheap proposition.

 

[CactusDave]

Gussets and RCV's are the way to go..........BUT! The average welder has NO business welding gussets on an axle, they can mess up more than was going to be fixed. If you are wheeling to the point you think you NEED 40's, you probably NEED a 14 bolt or Dana 60 conversion. Running 40's is not a cheap proposition.

I feel like I wheel pretty conservatively, so I probably don't "need" 40's. I just wish there were some more hard facts about the strength differences between stock D44's, reinforced D44's, and D60's. For example, I'm looking at ordering some 39" KM3's, which run more like a 38". My stock 44's have been good with 37" KO2's, so do I need to reinforce (and is reinforcement plenty good)?

 

[RedundanT]

I feel like I wheel pretty conservatively, so I probably don't "need" 40's. I just wish there were some more hard facts about the strength differences between stock D44's, reinforced D44's, and D60's. For example, I'm looking at ordering some 39" KM3's, which run more like a 38". My stock 44's have been good with 37" KO2's, so do I need to reinforce (and is reinforcement plenty good)?

RCV's might just get you by, would probably do inner C upper and lower gussets. (Artec has those) As for the full axle gusset, not unless you know the guy welding has done a bunch.

 

[rustyshakelford]

If you go with some quality tons, you’re looking around 20k for axles, 8 lug wheels, 2.5 ton steering and 40s.

trussing your axle, rcv fronts and chromoly rears are a pretty good plan to have a pretty strong Axle with a more reasonable price. We were considering tons for our shop jeep but I decided we’re going to buy a tube buggy for the dumb trails we do where axle damage is likely and keep the JL for the fun stuff

brett

 

[rustyshakelford]

RCV's might just get you by, would probably do inner C upper and lower gussets. (Artec has those) As for the full axle gusset, not unless you know the guy welding has done a bunch.

weldinga truss takes me the better part of a days time. I pull the front axle, clean it, preheat and weld over and over then wrap it up like a taco and let it slowly cool overnight

brett

 

[RedundanT]

weldinga truss takes me the better part of a days time. I pull the front axle, clean it, preheat and weld over and over then wrap it up like a taco and let it slowly cool overnight

brett

Because.........................you do it right.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Because.........................you do it right.

there’s certainly a right way to do it. When done right they do provide quite a bit of strength. When I was talking about the time, the only ones we install are the full artec armor trusses which is everything.

brett

 

[CactusDave]

If you go with some quality tons, you’re looking around 20k for axles, 8 lug wheels, 2.5 ton steering and 40s.

trussing your axle, rcv fronts and chromoly rears are a pretty good plan to have a pretty strong Axle with a more reasonable price. We were considering tons for our shop jeep but I decided we’re going to buy a tube buggy for the dumb trails we do where axle damage is likely and keep the JL for the fun stuff

brett

Do you just truss the front - or the rears too?

 

[rustyshakelford]

Do you just truss the front - or the rears too?

can do the rear too. Its an option when we start the build plan

brett

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