Episode 956 – You Want New Axles?
Jeep a Luxury Brand?
The new Jeep Grand Wagoneer is pure luxury! Today, a Series II Grand Wagoneer starts at US$97,290.
Americans like their luxury SUVs big, and since the category is quite profitable for the world’s automakers, they’re happy to oblige with sizable offerings.
It’s a market that didn’t even exist until the Range Rover of 1970. Competition for that British beast stateside came from the 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, a refined version of Jeep’s go-anywhere body-in-frame vehicles of the time. It succeeded the Wagoneer Limited, which started the brand’s move upscale.
And for 2023, there’s a long-wheelbase version powered by a new twin-turbo three-liter straight six, coupled to an eight-speed automatic. But if you think having six cylinders means the vehicle is down on power from its outgoing 6.4-liter Hemi V8, think again. The six puts out 510 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 60 takes 4.9 seconds.
All-wheel drive top-off-the-line 2023 Grand Wagoneer L Series III Obsidian with every conceivable option and priced at US$121,350 (from a base price of US$113,095).
Best Lift Kits
Recently a listener asked me, what’s the best lift kit for a Jeep? Not for a high-end rock crawler, but something that would make Moab doable.
Teraflex 2.5” Suspension Lift Kit Between 2 and 3”
Rough Country 3.75” Suspension Lift Kit Up to 5”
Jeep 2 Inch Lift Kit with Fox Shocks 2”
Skyjacker 3.75” Sport Series Suspension Lift Kit 3.75”
WULF 3” Full Lift Kit with Bilstein Shocks
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
It’s a New Year – time for new goals
It’s a New Year and time for new goals for what you want to achieve with your Jeep. 2024 is wide open with the possibilities, so what are you planning?
Is it a trip somewhere, a new mod, or just getting organized?
1) Do you set Jeep-specific goals? Jeep goals are different from regular goals because you WANT to reach these goals.
2) Maybe you want to add a lift, get new tires, or maybe get a basic toolkit together or add recovery gear; maybe it’s a new winch or lights. Mods don’t happen overnight – you need to plan the delivery of parts, figure in shipping delays, and of course money to pay for them.
3) Maybe you just want to organize all the tools and gadgets you’ve seen on other jeeps while out on the trail. OR…perhaps you acquired all the things presented in “Must Have Stuff Pick-of-the-Week”. Now you need to put them somewhere you can find them when you need them
4) What are your plans for venturing out in your jeep this year? Are you planning to join us at EJS this year? Maybe it’s a new trail you have your sights set on.
My goals for the year are to wheel more of course, but seriously I just want to tackle more tough trails and gain lots of experience that I can share with the listeners. I don’t have any plans for mods on my goals list… I’m sure Bill would have something to say about that, but that’s for another show. LOL
Whatever you plan to do for your goals and your jeep, get it written down, check it off when it’s done, and keep on jeeping. You never know what road you will find and where the trail takes you. And what “other” stuff do you need to have for your Jeep? If you are new to Jeeping, you can go back through all our JTS episodes for great info and you can also visit my Newbie Nugget episodes starting with episode 425. WOW that seems so long ago LOL
https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver
Trails411 (https://www.jeep4x4school.com/)
Fabrication Freezy, with Larry, JeepingMo
So you want new Axles?
On one of our round tables recently we talked about going to 40’s.
And that always leads to talk about changing axles. So let’s expand on that a little, now you can always call an axle manufacturer, or a place like Northridge 4×4 and just order a set for your Jeep.
There is nothing wrong with getting a bolt-on solution for your axles.
But there is another option that many turn to, picking up take-offs from someone who upgraded. You might want those 44s for your TJ.
But if you’re looking to put one-ton axles under your jeep, there are a couple of options that most people turn to.
The Chevy 14 bolt rear axle is a big favorite for most, they are very strong and have a pinion support that most don’t have.
The other option most turn to is the Sterling 10.5.
Now for the front, it’s almost always a Ford Super-Duty axle.
But most likely all of these axles will have the Same problem.
Your mounts will need to be relocated and welded on.
On another show, we can go into each year’s axle to help you pick the axle you want.
So how do you get your mounts on the axle, first you need to cut off all the old mounts, if you have a cutting torch those work well. You can also use cut-off wheels and a grinding disk to smooth off the axle, you are also prepping the axle for welding in the process.
If this is your first time welding the mounts on, I would suggest getting a system from a place like Artech, Moto built, TMR, and Rough stuff. And there are new vendors adding kits all the time.
I would suggest that you buy a system, most of the systems locate the brackets and add a truss with minimal effort, then once it’s welded on your arms and springs will be located.
Most of the vendors have kits to put your tons in your model-specific jeep.
You could always just buy tabs and brackets and locate them yourself if that is something you want to tackle. Please do some homework on your drive line angles.
At the end of it, you can put just about any axle in any jeep. You will need to run a spacer to run that 14 Bolt with the Super-Duty front. Your withs are different, along with your bolt patterns.
Welding the truss on will be another show, but you can do it will take a little work but nothing you cannot do. Now get out and build something.
14 bolt 8 x 6.5 or 8×170
Must-Have Stuff for your Jeep!
Garmin inReach Mini 2, Lightweight and Compact Satellite Communicator $399.99
Compact, lightweight satellite communicator enables two-way messaging and interactive SOS globally (Active satellite subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices.).Special Feature: Bluetooth.Water Resistant: Yes