Advice on axles

[Jakedog]

I'm wanting to beef up my rear axle. I'd like to regear and add an ARB. I don't plan on doing the work myself. Too expensive to take a chance on messing it up. I started looking at the vendors to see whats available.
I can buy the gears and locker but I still need install.
I saw Tom's offers complete assembly crate axles. I'm wondering if this would be a good direction to go with.
Mine needs complete rebuild any way. I like the idea of being able to just roll a complete assembly under it and bolt it up.

I would probably look at this differently if there were competent shops in my area that I could trust to do the work.
Have any of you guys bought a complete axle assembly from a vendor?

 

[SteveL]

You could buy just the 3rd member set up how you want it. The rest is easy to assemble. That stuff is heavy so shipping is also an issue. Check with maybe west coast broncos to the south or wh to the north and you could pick the stuff up. There's also curry over near Anaheim.

 

[ntsqd]

WARNING: Scope Creep!

What housing do you have now?
Planning to upgrade the rear brakes at some point?
28 or 31 spline?

If you're happy with the rear brakes that you have now then buying an assembled drop-out makes the most sense to me as then a complete rebuild only needs that and the axle bearings R&R'd.

If you're thinking to go to Explorer type RDB's, then a complete axle assembly makes more sense because the axle flange to housing flange dimension is different.

Likewise if you've got 28 spline axles and you want 31 spline (or more) then a complete axle assembly is probably less total $$ than buying it piece-parts.

I'd look at the vendors that Steve suggested, see what they can offer. If you're not seeing exactly what you need, call them. They may be able to put together the parts or assembly that you want.

 

[Broncobowsher]

And ARB will require a 31 spline upgrade, they don't offer it in 28 spline.
At this point you are keeping the existing housing, maybe brakes. The stock housing generally isn't the greatest. I wouldn't even consider a small bearing housing.

The crate axle is a good way to be one and done.

 

[jamesroney]

I could help you with the ARB and gear install, but I'm in Fremont, CA

What ratio are you going to change from / to...and what are you doing about the front gears?

If you have to buy new axles, and a new gear set...then you might consider upgrading to 35 spline. Do you have a Big Bearing housing? Do you like your existing brakes? How big of a tire are you going to run?

it's usually better to buy it once. But if you are going to run > 35 inch tires, and you are going to play in the rocks...for the same money, you can build a semi-float Dana 60. (and you get better driveshaft clearance.)

Best of Luck
James.

 

[Jakedog]

My goal for this bronco is a reliable driver and camping vehicle. I want to be able to drive it on the street/freeway, but I need it to be capable of getting me and my sons to and from our favorite camping spots.

Some of you guys have probably been to the Monache Meadows area in the Inyo national forest. We camp up there for a few days every summer. Lots of areas to explore.
Lately we have talked about going to the Rubicon. I really want to see it. Not looking to take the hard lines, but definitely want it to be more capable than I need it to be.

I don't know what my axle ratios are at this time. PO didn't know either. I'm running an NP435 with BFG A/T 315/75/16, and the Wild Horses 2.5" suspension # 3. I might add a 1" bl later. I like this set up for now. I also have a WH 5.5" lift that I took off of it after I bought the bronco. My dad is in his 70's and I wanted to make it easier for him to get into when I take him cruising around town.

I'm not sure about what gears to go with. I'm keeping the 435 trans. From what I've learned on here a 4:56 or 4:88 set up sounds like it would be a good combo for street and off road. I figure I'll still have some pull in 4th gear on the hwy without revving it too high.

My dd will be my 04 Tacoma 4x4.

 

[Broncobowsher]

This is probably one of the few times I will say this on this site, but you probably want a little less gear. Unless you are thinking of a ZF 5-speed for later. Sounds like your travels involve highway travels and hours of it. Unless there is a trailer involved and you are doing those 55MPH califiornia towing speed limits.

 

[ntsqd]

Agreed, I'd say 4.11 or 4.56. PO of my truck (4.11's) put 37's on it trying to effect a 'rubber OD' with the NP435 in place. It still rev'd the 351 more than I'd have liked. I dropped it back down to the same tire size as the OP's and am putting an NV4500 in it.

If you're not reving a lot on the super-slabs I'll guess 3.50's as most came with that gearing. However, access to Monache from B-Field is nearly all twisties and not much super-slab. Kernville > Sherman Pass > Kennedy Meadows > Monache?

 

[Jakedog]

Agreed, I'd say 4.11 or 4.56. PO of my truck (4.11's) put 37's on it trying to effect a 'rubber OD' with the NP435 in place. It still rev'd the 351 more than I'd have liked. I dropped it back down to the same tire size as the OP's and am putting an NV4500 in it.

If you're not reving a lot on the super-slabs I'll guess 3.50's as most came with that gearing. However, access to Monache from B-Field is nearly all twisties and not much super-slab. Kernville > Sherman Pass > Kennedy Meadows > Monache?

Right on. Just take Kennedy Meadows out. We miss it coming from the kernville side.

I don't have the experience with the lower axle gears and the np435. If it does have 3:55 maybe a 3:73 would be a better choice with the 435.
Not too low, but just enough for a little more pull in 4th gear.
If is a 3:55 then 4:56 would def be too low for what I need.

 

[sprdv1]

And ARB will require a 31 spline upgrade, they don't offer it in 28 spline.
At this point you are keeping the existing housing, maybe brakes. The stock housing generally isn't the greatest. I wouldn't even consider a small bearing housing.

The crate axle is a good way to be one and done.

although ARBs would be nice...

 

[ntsqd]

ARB's were transformative for me. I can't see ever using a locker again. Either an LSD for those vehicles that aren't going gnarly places or an ARB for those that are.

 

[gnpenning]

For those trying to decide between 4.11 and 4.56 don't forget you have a in between option in the 4.30.

 

[blubuckaroo]

I'm wanting to beef up my rear axle. I'd like to regear and add an ARB. I don't plan on doing the work myself. Too expensive to take a chance on messing it up. I started looking at the vendors to see whats available.
I can buy the gears and locker but I still need install.
I saw Tom's offers complete assembly crate axles. I'm wondering if this would be a good direction to go with.
Mine needs complete rebuild any way. I like the idea of being able to just roll a complete assembly under it and bolt it up.

I would probably look at this differently if there were competent shops in my area that I could trust to do the work.
Have any of you guys bought a complete axle assembly from a vendor?

Jakedog...
I'm originally from Bakersfield. I had a guy build my differentials there. He had a Mobile Auto Tech business. Most garages don't have differential guys anymore, and they would sub that kind of work out. This guy would come to your house, or you could take your stuff to him. He did great work at a great price.
I'll PM you his info.

 

[Jakedog]

Jakedog...
I'm originally from Bakersfield. I had a guy build my differentials there. He had a Mobile Auto Tech business. Most garages don't have differential guys anymore, and they would sub that kind of work out. This guy would come to your house, or you could take your stuff to him. He did great work at a great price.
I'll PM you his info.

Thanks. Appreciate the info.

 

[661buster1963]

I’m in a similar boat, needing to regrew a Dana 44 away from 3.5, and in Bakersfield too. Can you post up the traveling gear guy info?

 

[661buster1963]

Regear, not sure what regrew is

 

[ntsqd]

"regrew" is to grew again, clearly.

Failing finding someone local in B-Field there's a guy in B-Field by the Sea (Ventura) that does an excellent job. He's done several trucks of mine, but he doesn't travel.

 

[661buster1963]

I would drive to Ventura (twice) to make it happen, who is he?

My notes from this forum were suggesting 4.11 for 33" tires and 4.56 for 35" tires, so i was going to lean that way. Similar to original poster no HD offloading in my plans, running NP 435. i also don't plan on significant highway travelling, mostly local. I have a 31 spline big bearing with 4.11 already, and a dana 44 with 3.5 gears. I was going to move both to 4.56 as I have plans on 35" tires. There is probably not a boatload of difference between 4.11 and 4.56, and I know I dont want to run 3.5 so is the 4.11 a reasonable compromise? (then I only regrew/regear the front end). A 4.11 puts engine speed near 2681 rpm at 65 mph on a modest 351w.

 

[ntsqd]

PM sent.

FWIW most of the time those gearing for tire size recommendations are expecting a 302/5.0L, not a 351/5.8L The very little that I've driven mine with the 351 & 4.11's in it were fine around town & even short jaunts on the fwy. I've gone with a NV4500 because I expect to be driving it long distances on the slabs & super-slabs. Were I building more of a crawler I'd want lower, but not for how I plan to use the truck.

 

[Jakedog]

"regrew" is to grew again, clearly.

Failing finding someone local in B-Field there's a guy in B-Field by the Sea (Ventura) that does an excellent job. He's done several trucks of mine, but he doesn't travel.

Does the guy work out of a shop or his garage.