Portal axle setup (1 Viewer)

[concretejungle]

Those portal tek axles are sick! Yes they are expensive, but look at what you get! Not only the huge aftermarket for the ford 9 inch but disk breaks and strong axles all ready to put under a rig. Bolt-on, bullet-proof, totally awesome!

Here's the specs from their site:

* Portal-Tek portal boxes with CTM axle shafts and U-Joints using 4140 or 300M material
* Patented bearing assembly
* Heat treated chromoly gears
* Optional manual locking hubs
* Complete Wilwood Disc brake assembly including rotors and pads
* Complete custom steering assembly , with optional hydro steer available
* Complete, custom width axle shafts
* Custom FORD 9" center section
* Choice of gear ration from 3.0:1 to 7.33:1 Ring and Pinion
* Choice of leaf, coil or custom spring perches

I'm sure after you guys buy a few sets they may start getting a little cheaper for us poor folks. hurry up and get some.

 

[ridgerunner]

I think the largest attraction for me would be the gear ratios and manual hubs.

On a perfect (for me) portal....

 

[Stumper]

Guess I better pipe in here.
First I guess I can address the Mog vs Volvo vs Portal-Tek thing. Mogs are heavy, and most everyone knows that. They, and the Volvo's, were designed to be under a massive truck with big loads. Not high impact, side loading, big spinning tires, and alot of bouncing around. There are a few companies building adapters and parts for both of these systems. But the supply of both the Mogs and Volvo's are limited. You can't find parts in the states very well. There is no more then 2 maybe 3 different R&Ps, and those you have to source overseas.
We have numerous sets of both the Volvos and the Mogs sitting here in the shop that have been blown apart in different offroad applications. I have about 10 Volvo box gears with sheared teeth from side load deflection due to off camber and big heavy tires. We have had all these gears and other parts under metalurgy tests to determine the breaking and stress points on the gears.
We have taken portal axles to the next level. Completely engineered and designed for offroad use. We designed these axles to take serious use and abuse in any situation. Most of the parts are off the shelf, found at your local auto store. Bearings, gears, ring and pinons, brake components. We offer a variety of axle shaft materials, and plenty of options to fit just about anyones vehicle and situation.
We build them to your specs. You tell me the width, the offset, the suspension and steering setup, what r&p, locker choices, bolt patterns, shaft and u-joint materials, and other options.
A fully loaded set of Dynatrac 60's will run you close to $14k. You can retrofit Mogs and Volvos, but you are limited to little aftermarket support and parts. And you still run the risk of the common breakage points on both of those setups.
We have designed a system that will work. We have put enormous time, money, and effort to make sure all details, little and big, are addressed inorder to make something that will withstand the abuse we can all give them.
Please let me know what questions I can answer. We are a small company, but we know what customer service is and what makes and breaks success.
Thanks for the plugs so far.
Let me know how I can help.

Russell Smock

 

[Sp@nky]

Guess I better pipe in here.
First I guess I can address the Mog vs Volvo vs Portal-Tek thing. Mogs are heavy, and most everyone knows that. They, and the Volvo's, were designed to be under a massive truck with big loads. Not high impact, side loading, big spinning tires, and alot of bouncing around. There are a few companies building adapters and parts for both of these systems. But the supply of both the Mogs and Volvo's are limited. You can't find parts in the states very well. There is no more then 2 maybe 3 different R&Ps, and those you have to source overseas.
We have numerous sets of both the Volvos and the Mogs sitting here in the shop that have been blown apart in different offroad applications. I have about 10 Volvo box gears with sheared teeth from side load deflection due to off camber and big heavy tires. We have had all these gears and other parts under metalurgy tests to determine the breaking and stress points on the gears.
We have taken portal axles to the next level. Completely engineered and designed for offroad use. We designed these axles to take serious use and abuse in any situation. Most of the parts are off the shelf, found at your local auto store. Bearings, gears, ring and pinons, brake components. We offer a variety of axle shaft materials, and plenty of options to fit just about anyones vehicle and situation.
We build them to your specs. You tell me the width, the offset, the suspension and steering setup, what r&p, locker choices, bolt patterns, shaft and u-joint materials, and other options.
A fully loaded set of Dynatrac 60's will run you close to $14k. You can retrofit Mogs and Volvos, but you are limited to little aftermarket support and parts. And you still run the risk of the common breakage points on both of those setups.
We have designed a system that will work. We have put enormous time, money, and effort to make sure all details, little and big, are addressed inorder to make something that will withstand the abuse we can all give them.
Please let me know what questions I can answer. We are a small company, but we know what customer service is and what makes and breaks success.
Thanks for the plugs so far.
Let me know how I can help.

Russell Smock

Thanks for piping in.

Your web pages mention a FJ40 kit, yet the quote I have is for two custom axles , I had hoped for a standard (ie. cheaper ) kit.

As you probably noticed I am torn between getting your expensive custom exactly what want axels or some less costly modified to meet my needs 303s (still need the kicker to go one way or the other)

BTW, does anyone have advice on wether I should widen the 40's standard track, for the mixed mostly trail and some street duty I have in mind.

 

[Roswell Rat]

Question for Russell......

Does Portal-Tek really offer an FJ40 bolt-on kit? Price?

 

[Sp@nky]

...


Just had a thought (it happens ):
If I use custom portal-teks, I can keep my SM420 and T/C
Ha! I could even decide to get Atlas case (sh!t more money ). With "tall" gearing in the axle I'd have nice HW speed at low rpm yet, especially with the new 4sp (sh!t even more money ) I could still crawl.

If I use 303s I'll probably have to get an over-drive. I've always had an eye for a NV4500, hmmm. lets see good HW speed is then between 2500 and 3000 rpms, hmmm, high for a v8? Axle lenth may a problem too, longer wheel base + shorter orion T/C, wait maybe a moded 303 would be close to center and I coud use an Altas hmm... (sh!t that going to be some money too )

well what da ya all think?

beside my bend to want'a toss out money

 

[Sp@nky]

Question for Russell......

Does Portal-Tek really offer an FJ40 bolt-on kit? Price?

Supposedly, as of August 2005 according to about section on web site.

 

[Stumper]

The answer to the FJ40 bolt on question is yes.......sort of. We currently do not offer just Portal-Tek portal boxes to bolt on to existing axles. There are quite a few reasons for this, but it comes down to compatiblity. Our complete sets run an inverted Ford 9" center that we have adapted to work upside and address cooling and oiling issues. The other issue is the spline count in the gears in the portal box matching up to existing shafts. So the answer to "Can I just bolt on Portal-tek boxes?" the answer is no, not at this point.

As far as bolt on axles, then yes we do. We have a setup that is the exact setup for a FJ40 and other cruisers. It is bolt on as you can get. 8 u-bolts and you have them on. The only issue that is involved with this setup is attaching your cruiser driveline to a Ford 9" housing. An adapter can be made on the center, or a change to one end of the driveline.
We have had quite a few people ask about building a Toyota based setup, and we are considering it. Issues come up regarding options of ring and pinion to accomadate streetability. The range is not like the Ford is. This setup may come in the future. If you are dead set on a Toyota setup, give me a shout and we can see what we can work out.

We can build a setup to match exactly the WMS of a 40 axle and use the existing bolt pattern. One caveat is that the minimum wheel size you can run is a 16" wheel. And really to utilize the true character of the portal axle, having a wheel that sits around the whole box, leaving nothing hanging down is the ultimate solution. Take a look at our web pages pics with the wheel completely covering the portal box.
Those wheels are custom MRW beadlocks that are 18" wheels with 6.5" of backspacing.
With that said, we can build a setup to accomdate the width with the offset wheels and give you a wheel stance that works for you.

Prices will vary on options. Axle shaft and stub shaft materials, choice of lockers, ring and pinion and other things all can affect the pricing structure. Ranges can run from $8500 to $13,000 a set, all depends on what you are looking for.

Hopefully this helps out a bit. There is a huge 5-6 page thread over on pirate if you want to see some of the other specifics, questions, and input from others.
But I am more then happy to open and answer any discussions here or in email. Just let me know what you your questions, concerns, or suggestions are. We want to make the best product in the industry. Insights and opinions are always welcome.

Russell Smock

 

[Sp@nky]

Anyone seen these hummer based custom portal axels before?
http://www.stazworks.com/axels.html

 

[deserttan40]

Hot damn 13 grand for a set of portals! you must be serious about ground clearance! a pro rock 60 has got to be cheaper than that and it gives you and inch and a quarter over stock. but i guess you can run smaller lighter and most definately cheaper tires with portals and still get the ground clearance. and you get lighter disc brakes and you dont have to add transfer cases and a ton of gearing. and you dont have to spring $600 plus for a lift kit that flexes as good as flat stock springs or CV driveshafts that can handle the misalignment. and no more busted birfields.
I guess if you want to do it once and do it right the portal-tecks are the way to go. Maybe i can justify it to my wife if i dont have to buy $340 apiece tires every 8 months. Do they finance?

 

[Moby]

Anyone seen these hummer based custom portal axels before?
http://www.stazworks.com/axels.html

How about these - with LC centers none the less: http://www.overthehill4x4.com/portals.html

 

[bandy rooster]

spanky how much money do you just have floating around to blow upwards of 13k for a set of axles? s*** man i wish i was you...


good luck on the build.....if you build your axles up enough they would no longer be the weak point so you have to build everything else up as well or else you may aquire serious issues... maybe trans? transfer case...

 

[TOY350]

Here is a shot of my buddys rig with portals, but he did change the whole suspension. Don't know if this helps any as I am never in this area of the forum but thought I would link the thread with some pics.

40 w/ portals

 

[DieselFJ]

I figure I should throw in my .02 cents. You guys keep saying $13,000 for a set. In reality that would be pretty much every bell and whistle possible that is offered. For $8,500 you can get a complete set of portal axles hub to hub that would probably outlast 95% of all the abuse you guys could dish out. Now for the other 5% that really know how to break things you may want to spend the extra bucks to beef it up. We are building these things to last no matter what is spent for the set-up. When you buy Portal-Tek axles you are getting a new set of complete axles. This includes new Calipers and braking system, new hubs, bearings, seals, engineered gears, engineered boxes, custom length custom built housings, new axle shafts with new u-joints, high pinion ford 9" center with new ring and pinion/bearings, steering arms, engineered stout king pin and lower ball joint setup, and the list goes on. Now add the 5" of clearance plus the ability to keep your factory suspension and steering setups makes for a pretty much perfect situation for onroad and offroad driving.

As for the other portal options, just look at the website and check out how clean the setup is, and with 6.5" backspaced wheel there is nothing but clearance from the inside of tire to inside of tire.

I hope this helped cleared things up, and keep posting, we love to answer questions and listen to what people are saying about our product. We are building these thing for you guys and we are doing everything possible to make them the perfect product for everyone.

Don't hesitate to call or post if you have any other question or comments

Thanks
Scott

 

[Sp@nky]

Well here's how far I've gotten.

Even thought the Mog portals, rebuilt and cut to 61" cost "only" 5790.- a set with disk brakes, they will not clear my oil pan without lift and they require new drive shafts. So exit Mogs.

I allready have an Ranger O/D (1500.-) and the coresponding drive shaft (~500.-), So this leave me with

1. "basic" 303 + rebuild + resize + disk about 6000.-,ranger O/D 0.-, drive shafts 0.-, new portal gears $?
- I can always save some money by sticking to the original drum

2."Highway-frendlier" 303 + rebuild + resize + disk 6000.-, ranger O/D , new portal gears $? and rebuilt (no-core) NV4500 3300.- , new drive shafts 500.- (length!)

3. "basic" Portal-tek. My quote was for 9500.- (w. nothing extra and not 8500 ! - Russ, Scott?), lockers 1450.-, ranger o/d.

4. Stazwork - no answer yet but the web page has a starting price of 3680.- (for a stearable axle, I assume) + 3rd members $? + lockers 1450.-

5. (anybody ?)

There are probably deals out there I have not stumbled upon, so let me know, please.

Anyway, to resume, I can get it done for about 6k for basic 303s or spend almost twice that and there is always Orion or Atlas t/c to consider for even more flexibility.
hmm... Where to draw the line...

 

[Toyoland66]

If you have the $$$ and you are serious about getting some portals, you might as well get some that are brand new, and have good parts availability

I wish i had the cash to buy a set of axles, built and ready to go..........

 

[DieselFJ]

Sorry for the difference in the $9,500 and the $8,500, the reason there is a variation in the numbers is we are continually trying to give the best deal possible. Back when the $9,500 was quoted I was dealing with different manufactures and suppliers. I have been able to work some new deals with both manufactures and suppliers which have given us the oportunity to sell the at the $8,500 range. The $8,500 range is what we initially wanted to sell the product for, but we were having problems getting the numbers to work with what we needed to survive. We now feel very confident that the $8,500 will be what the base price will be and what it will stay at.

Again I apologize, and please give us a call or post if you need further explaination, or have any other questions.

Thanks
Scott

 

[deserttan40]

So now we have made it from 13K to 8500. At this rate in another week they are going to be paying you to take them. Not a bad deal for a complete setup ready to bolt in and go. Does portal-tek offer 300M gears or axles? And how much for a factory install? Any trade in value for 37 busted birfields?

 

[Stumper]

So now we have made it from 13K to 8500. At this rate in another week they are going to be paying you to take them. Not a bad deal for a complete setup ready to bolt in and go. Does portal-tek offer 300M gears or axles? And how much for a factory install? Any trade in value for 37 busted birfields?

We can mark them back up for you if you would like.
We provide options, lots of them. That is where you see the differences in prices. We do offer 300M shafts. That of course will cost a bit more, but the option is there.
Factory install prices will depend on the vehicle. It will differ on what type of steering setup it needs, what suspension the vehicle is running and if there are changes the owner wants done to the drivetrain. We will go on a case by case basis.
Our goal was always to keep the price down to somewhat affordable levels. $8500 is a pretty sweet deal for a new set of bomber axles and a 5" lift without changing anything else.

As far as the trade in value of 37 busted birfs....... No dice on that. I have enough blown apart toy axles, busted mog and volvo boxes, and gears to choke an elephant.

Russell

 

[Radd Cruisers]

You gotta admit, if you start reading up on Pirates and here on 1 ton axle builds you will see 10 K is easy to spend on a set of well built axles.

I like the direction of the portals and what is offered in the package.


One thing, most things break due to fatigue over time. Through mountain biking I have seen the heaviest well built frames eventually fail from excessive big hits.

I think the key is finess, if your good you will break less......