Which Axle Width for tons

[Kingkat900]

I don’t mind waiting. I’ll probably stick with the 68.5 and do 4.5 bs. So my next question, which will open a can of opinion worms. Which brand to get? I’ve gravitated towards the UD60 with 5.13 gears and elocker. Then do the PSC steering upgrade. Has anyone had any issues with those? Is there a better brand. I’ll pay extra for quality if there is one substantially better.

I have ud60s with 5.38s and elockers,and psc assist and love it. Never had a problem with the lockers engaging, disengaging after lots of wheeling.

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[Go4Low]

Research pointed me to Dynatrac. I went with the 68.5 because I was concerned about fitting on tighter trails...but I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with the 72.5.

The 68.5 feels really stable on the rocks, but I'd imagine the 72.5 would only add more stability.

 

[jellis4148]

Research pointed me to Dynatrac. I went with the 68.5 because I was concerned about fitting on tighter trails...but I can't imagine anyone being unhappy with the 72.5.

The 68.5 feels really stable on the rocks, but I'd imagine the 72.5 would only add more stability.

Love your Jeep. What did you do for a spare tire carrier? I looked at the teraflex rear bumper. They will configure it for an 8 lug carrier.

 

[Go4Low]

@jellis4148 Thank you.

Tire Carrier:
I went with the Rusty's Off Road tire carrier which had the options/open slots for different bolt patterns.

I used part # DORMAN 610-388 to mount the wheel. I tapped them in with some Loctite, but welding would have been better.

Bumper:
I ran the mopar rear steel bumper for a while. No clearance issues, but it eventually started caving into the body on difficult trails.

I swapped to the motobilt crusher rear bumper...the designed and way its bolt to the frame makes a big difference. I've smashed that bumper with zero issues or flex.

All the best on your build forward.

 

[jellis4148]

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Old Jeeper]

So, looking at various options for ton axles. I really like the UD60, but it only comes in 68.5" width, unless I'm missing something. Also considering the XD60 that come in either 68.5 or 72.5. Everywhere I read says to run 72.5 if you want 40" tires. Right now I have stock axles with -38 offset or 3.50 of back spacing. They do offer the same wheel I have in an 8 lug with the same offset/backspacing. To the point I guess. What offset/backspacing do I need if I run a 72.5? Why do I need a 72.5 over 68.5? I know this is based off of opinion, but who has the best ton axles? Is there something better than what I'm looking at? I've looked at Fusion, Dana, spicer, and several others. Cost is a concern, but cry once is better than saving a few bucks now. Thanks for the help. I'm still a little ways away from buying them. I want to have everything when I do it, including new bumper with spare tire carrier.

Not sure of what kind of wheeling you do. I am ROCKS, no mud or sand like Glamis..

When it comes to big axles: Dynatrac. I was dealer for them when I had my Off road shop and I ran them under my Jeep...I was only a dealer for what run. I know the owner and the off road side of the business is NOT where he makes his big money. He builds custom axle assemblies for speciality trucks around the world. He is a supplier to Ford MoCo. For the off road he uses his own castings for the pumpkin with added ribs and strength.

https://www.dynatrac.com/axle-assemblies.html

Read this: https://www.dynatrac.com/blog/10-questions-you-should-ask-when-shopping-for-an-off-road-axle/

When I do an install of a Dynatrac front axle. I do other mods and I strongly suggest them. I see a lot of folks dropping $20k or more on axle sets. I would need to look at a JLR (which I hope to do today).

1. I like to have high steer, in fact if you did go high steer then your money is a waste.
2. Parallel components to the axle/ground plane, this usually takes some cutting off and realign steering and track bar frame connections.

What this does is fix the DW before it arrives and aligns you pitman arm with the new configuration.

This is what it looks like with the exception of the track bar which you can see the curve, I changed the frame connection to a souble shear and built my own track bar with is straight.

If you are not a rock guy then this maybe mute.

If you are a rock guy narrow is better (see pic).

IF you are not rocker then what are you? Then ask others the play in your space what they recommend.

NOTE: While I don't seen any 5++ inch > lifts (YET) bear in mind that for every Inch you lift, you may want to consider wider axles 1.5 inches on each side to compensate for EACH 1 in of lift.

40 in tires: Well I have run many a 7++ with the 40+ crowd as you find a lot of them in that space. 40 in tires requre more lift and in a PERFECT world, we would NEVER lift a Jeep, we would lower it. CoG is NOT your friend. My observation in 7++ my 3 in lift and 37s got to the top long before 40s/big lifts..

I would post a Moab 7++ limted to 8 Jeeps week long and should see the rigs that showed up: 40s and beyond, 5/6 and more lifts, 600 HP Hemi's, almost every rig trailered and from all over the US. One time a had a guy come from Maine and another guy from Seattle.

Just sayin...40s and big lifts sure LOOKS good and gets you in the Jeep Mags and 3 in lift and 37s does not ask me how I know...they told me twice we would love to put in JP Mag, but you have no curb appeal...I know but its not DoDah that drives me, its results and all my mods are under my Jeep.




As you can see, 72 in axles and 40s tires may have to take the drive around...there actually is one to the right of the rockpile.

 

[Upsidwn]

My $.02
Elockers suck
Went 72.5”, wish I went wider
Shouldve built superduty axles
Pretty much all off the shelf stuff sucks

 

[jellis4148]

I'm primarily rocks. Maybe a little mud, but I try to avoid it if possible. Running a 4.5 Metalcloak Gamechanger lift.

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

My $.02
Elockers suck
Went 72.5”, wish I went wider
Shouldve built superduty axles
Pretty much all off the shelf stuff sucks

You said "Shouldve built superduty axles" ... what axles do you have now? .. I am asking because I am debating whether to build my own 2005+ Superduty Dana 60 Front + GM 14 bolt Rear VS buying either DSTRAC or Fusion.... Thanks.

 

[Upsidwn]

Fusion's, if you have the ability to do superduty axles its a no brainer IMO. The *downsides* to junkyard axles (random stuff not fitting, lining up, leaking, parts failing, reworking brackets and geometry, etc) still present themselves much the same with off the shelf fresh painted stuff.

If you wheel your rig things break, and nothing mechanical will last forever. I went with these after seeing guys I wheel with that run the other brands axles having the same issues, and thought I'd give them a try. After a 3/4 a season of wheeling (sat over a month waiting on emails/phone calls to get returned for broken locker), they've got rock rash just the same as a junkyard set of axles would've. And at the end of the day they're about the same maintenance, its just I don't have the ability to run to the local parts store to get parts for them now, instead I have to call/email a bunch until I nag enough and then have to order parts for them.

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

Fusion's, if you have the ability to do superduty axles its a no brainer IMO. The *downsides* to junkyard axles (random stuff not fitting, lining up, leaking, parts failing, reworking brackets and geometry, etc) still present themselves much the same with off the shelf fresh painted stuff.

If you wheel your rig things break, and nothing mechanical will last forever. I went with these after seeing guys I wheel with that run the other brands axles having the same issues, and thought I'd give them a try. After a 3/4 a season of wheeling (sat over a month waiting on emails/phone calls to get returned for broken locker), they've got rock rash just the same as a junkyard set of axles would've. And at the end of the day they're about the same maintenance, its just I don't have the ability to run to the local parts store to get parts for them now, instead I have to call/email a bunch until I nag enough and then have to order parts for them.

Ok cool.. thanks for the reply... curious... which combo did you pick and why?

 

[Upsidwn]

Sorry I should've included, I have the 60/80. Went 80 for the bigger ring gear, honestly should've just went with the shaved 14b

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

Sorry I should've included, I have the 60/80. Went 80 for the bigger ring gear, honestly should've just went with the shaved 14b

ohh ok... so you mean Front Dana 60 / superduty 60 + REAR GM 14 Bolt junkyard axles and build the axles yourself?.... I have been looking into that option... Beefy !.. curiously I have not seen many detailed threads in this forum about DIY junkyard axles..

 

[Upsidwn]

Yes a superduty60 front and 14b rear. Cleaning brackets off a set aint but a days work and then getting them setup with gears and brackets isn't bad at all with the truss kits they have now days.
A big reason I went with 'crate' axles when i ordered was to keep the ABS and stuff happy on this JL, but there's kits out now to get the ABS working for axle swaps (Call Rock Solid Fab). I mean, my rig just gets trailered from the garage to the trails anyway... but thats beyond the point ?

Honestly they're not bad by any means (price aside...), just stay far far away from the elockers, do the brackets yourself IMO, and just be prepared to get a 'jeep dealer-like experience' whenever you need parts or service for them.

And yeah, you don't see much about custom fab stuff here on on the social media's because you just get fanboy's and people paid to rep companies, running anyone away who don't praise the fancy companies like the gospel. I had an insta account that was doing fairly well when I was one of the first JL's to put a tire on Mammoth out at AOAA last summer. Blew the front locker up, and after almost two months of getting no where with any manufacturers on figuring things out, it took calling them out on social media to get a phone call back, and then I end up the 'black sheep'. So I just tend to keep to myself and don't post much anymore lol ?‍

 

[Gorilla57]

Superduty 60 front and 14B rear is what a lot of buggies run for a reason. When built right, they are strong as hell. 300m with 40 splines turn them into amazing axles.

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