Ready to take your off-road adventures to the next level? Let’s chat about upgrading your gears and axles for maximum power when tackling those tough obstacles! At AORC, we’re all about finding the best high-quality parts to help you get the most out of your ride. Say goodbye to power loss from those larger tires and hello to peak performance on the trails! Let’s make sure your vehicle can conquer anything you throw at it!
What We Do
Gears
Upgrade your gears, unlock power, and conquer the trails like never before!
ReGearing
To help achieve the best setup for your tire size, we offer Yukon gears and installation kits in several gear ratios. These kits include all the necessary components to properly upgrade your axle gears. We always replace the differential seals, bearings, and hardware when changing the ring and pinions. By selecting the right gear ratio for your specific tire size, you can restore power, improve throttle response, and achieve better overall drivability.
We’re here to help you achieve the best setup for your tire size and get the most out of your off-road adventures! We will work with you to ensure you get the right gear ratio and setup based on your vehicle and desired use, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
Lockers & limited Slip
Enhancing traction is crucial, especially when off-roading or driving in challenging conditions. Adding a locker or limited-slip differential carrier can greatly improve your vehicle’s traction and overall performance.
A limited-slip differential (LSD) is designed to distribute power evenly between the left and right wheels on the same axle. It helps reduce wheel slip and provides better traction in situations where one wheel may lose grip. Limited slips are particularly effective on slippery or wet road surfaces, enhancing stability and control.
For a more aggressive off-road setup, a locker is a great option. There are mechanical lockers and selectable lockers available. Mechanical lockers automatically engage based on spring tension, fully locking the left and right wheels together. They are highly effective in off-road scenarios such as mud or rock crawling.
Selectable lockers, on the other hand, give you the flexibility to choose when the locker is engaged. They can be either electric or air-operated, allowing for on-demand activation to maximize traction when needed.
Both lockers and limited slips have their specific applications. Limited slips are generally preferred for street or wet conditions, while lockers excel in off-road and extreme terrain situations.
Feel free to consult with us about adding a locker or limited-slip differential carrier to your vehicle. We can provide you with options and guidance to ensure you achieve the enhanced traction you need for your specific driving requirements.
Axle Shafts
Upgrading the axle shafts is an important consideration when installing larger wheels and tires. The increased weight and stress on the drivetrain can lead to axle shaft failures, so it’s crucial to ensure they can handle the added load.
Chromoly Axle Shafts
Chromoly is a popular material choice for stronger axle shafts. Chromoly (chromium-molybdenum alloy) provides superior strength compared to stock or standard steel, making it more resistant to bending or breaking under heavy loads. Upgrading to chromoly axle shafts can significantly enhance the durability and reliability of your drivetrain.
U-Joints
U-joint upgrades are typically found on aftermarket driveshafts, and you may hear sizes like 1310 or 1350. These directly refer to the physical size of the joint, and with U-joints, bigger is stronger. These upgrades help ensure that your driveshafts can handle the increased stress of off-roading, especially when navigating difficult terrain or making sharp turns.
For front axles, upgrading to larger and stronger u-joints or converting to a constant velocity joint can provide added strength and durability. RCV with their signature orange joints, are the go-to brand for a constant velocity style front axle shaft upgrade. They make axle shafts for almost every vehicle, so we can be sure to find the ones for your needs. These upgrades help ensure that your axle shafts can handle the increased stress of off-roading, especially when navigating difficult terrain or making sharp turns.
RCV Axle upgrade
In addition to upgrading the material, it’s also essential to consider the type of joints used in the axle shafts. Traditional u-joints are strong but can lose strength as the angle of the joint increases during turns. Constant velocity (CV) joints, on the other hand, maintain their strength throughout the angle of the turn, making them ideal for off-road applications and large tire sizes.
For front axles, upgrading to larger and stronger u-joints or converting to a constant velocity joint can provide added strength and durability. These upgrades help ensure that your axle shafts can handle the increased stress of off-roading, especially when navigating difficult terrain or making sharp turns.
axle housing reinforvement
Upgrading the exterior components of the axle housing is just as important as upgrading the interior components. Reinforcing the axle tube with a truss is an excellent way to prevent bending or warping of the housing under increased stress.
A truss is a structural component that is typically welded onto the axle tube to provide additional support and rigidity. It helps distribute forces more evenly, reducing the likelihood of axle housing failure or damage. By adding a truss, you can effectively strengthen the axle housing and minimize the risk of bending or deformation, especially when running larger tires.
c-gussets
In addition to a truss, adding C-gussets to the axle is also highly recommended. C-gussets are reinforcement plates that are welded onto the axle housing, specifically around the ball joint area. this area is where the steering knuckle attaches to the axle via the ball joints and by adding C-gussets the “C’ of the axle is able to handle the stress of larger tires.
differential skid plates
Furthermore, adding impact protection to the axle is crucial for off-road applications. Upgraded differential covers are designed to be stronger and more durable than stock covers, providing better protection against rocks and other obstacles. Skid plates are also essential to shield the underside of the axle from potential impacts, ensuring that vital components remain unharmed during off-road adventures.
Miscellaneous Axle upgrades
Upgrading the axle shafts is an important consideration when installing larger wheels and tires. The increased weight and stress on the drivetrain can lead to axle shaft failures, so it’s crucial to ensure they can handle the added load.
By thoroughly evaluating and addressing these areas, you can ensure that your axles and related components are capable of handling the increased stresses associated with larger tires. Upgrading these components will not only enhance the performance and safety of your vehicle but also help prevent premature wear or failure.
Ball Joints
The increased weight and size of larger tires can put added stress on the ball joints. It’s important to ensure they are in good condition and can handle the increased load. If necessary, upgrading to heavy-duty or aftermarket ball joints can provide added strength and durability.
Steering Knuckles
Larger tires can impact the steering knuckles, especially when off-roading or encountering rough terrain. Reinforcing or upgrading the steering knuckles can help prevent damage and ensure proper steering functionality.
Brakes
Upgrading to larger tires often requires corresponding upgrades to the brake system. This may include larger calipers, rotors, or both. Larger tires have more weight and momentum and thus require a stronger brake system to be able to stop the vehicle safely. Enhancing your braking system with high-performance brake components can provide better stopping power enabling increased confidence on and off the road.
Axle Conversions
If upgrading individual components is not sufficient to handle the additional stress of larger tires, swapping the entire axle assembly for a stronger and larger one is the solution.
Here are some popular and reputable axle manufacturers that offer stronger options:
Axle options
Currie Enterprises: Known for their high-quality axles, Currie offers reliable and durable options for various applications, including off-road and performance vehicles.
Dynatrac: Renowned for their heavy-duty axles, Dynatrac provides top-of-the-line options designed to withstand the rigors of off-roading and larger tire sizes.
Dana: A well-known name in the industry, Dana offers a wide range of axles, including some heavy-duty options, suitable for various applications and vehicle types.
Fusion 4×4: Fusion 4×4 is a manufacturer that provides heavy-duty axle assemblies specifically designed for extreme off-road use and larger tire.
Remember to also consider other components that may need to be upgraded or modified to ensure proper compatibility with the new axle assembly, such as driveshafts, differential gears, and suspension components.
