Gearmaster portal axles

[ridgerunner]

Portals are fantastic- they'll essentially make your truck point and shoot, and obstacles that previously stymied are no longer a problem. You've got tons of clearance, usually a wider stance, and people drooling over it whenever they see it. The capabilities are simply amazing.

But they're not for everyone. If you have something that is daily driven with portals the speed and mileage suck. Draining every box is a PITA unless you like regular maintence. And driving to the trailhead, unless you trailer your rig, becomes an adventure as you're putting along in the slow lane.

In the end, for me the reality of portals was what kind of compromise I wasn't willing to live with. For every thousand miles I drove the truck I only had five feet of trail that required portals. The more clearance the more you'll push the truck and the harder you'll be on it.

I tried portals and went back to stock axles. They weren't worth it in the end for me and my purposes. They're not for everyone. But when I think about them sitting in my garage and realize they're going to their new owner next month I do start to reminisce. They were fun, but not entirely worth it.

But for an all out trail machine, I'd go back to them in a heartbeat.

 

[TiredIronGRB]

This is right after the axle swap, it was still on stock springs running 38.5 Boggers with no rubbing.

I added the OME 2.5 med springs and shocks for more clearance between the panhard and tierod.

Boy she sure was slick back then, sad what a year of wheeling has done to it.

 

[alkaline747trio]

Not sad, it shows you do what the rig is capable of. Now you just need to start setting it up more for expedition use so you wont be as tempted to sell it.

 

[jamisobe]

This is right after the axle swap, it was still on stock springs running 38.5 Boggers with no rubbing.

I added the OME 2.5 med springs and shocks for more clearance between the panhard and tierod.

Boy she sure was slick back then, sad what a year of wheeling has done to it.

How are those rockers doing? Curious as to whether you would even need the sliders. I am guessing they wouldn't hurt.
Have any recent pictures??

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Those are went I first finished it, I made sliders for it before it hit the trail and they've been used extensively...tons of pictures here.

http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=59
http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=60

 

[TiredIronGRB]

Stop the hate....

 

[GXO]

Jealousy!

Yeah, but if you remember, the guy in the Jeep took a terible line. He could of made it if he knew how to wheel.

Not knocking the portals or mogs, but no way in hell I'm about to pay over what my whole vehicle cost to make it up a few hills. Just does not make much sense, unless that is how you compensate.

 

[jamisobe]

Those are went I first finished it, I made sliders for it before it hit the trail and they've been used extensively...tons of pictures here.

http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=59
http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=60

Looks like more fun than a human being should be allowed to have.

You guys find some serious dirt. If I was tagging along I would have to take a line a little different than the Volyota probably 1-5% of the time. More or less Depending.

 

[GXO]

Jealous of what?


"I think the portals debate and mods are novel and ingenius. I would love to have the skill it takes to do this. This is what I marvel at in threads like this. It isn't the cost, the ability, or anything else. This is an amazing modification and I salute anyone taking it on! "

It looks like you are the one who is jealous.


You know you need them, That 5' of trail that's been eating your lunch. I'll point and shoot my FJ40, but no way I'm paying 11k for a set of axles when I bought my locked 80 for under 9k. It goes everwhere I want it to go and that enough for me.

Not jealous of the portals, just the skills it takes to make it an affordable and "doable" mod.

I took the same hill that the Jeep tried as well, I just didn't drive over the big rock, I pivoted around it.