[254]

I have been thinking (very dangerous) about a cool axle setup for a Samurai. I have seen the Unimog type of axles that have gear reduction boxes on the ends of the axles (sort of like planetaries) I also used to have a VW bus transaxle that had small gear reduction boxes out at the axle ends. THIS WOULD be a cool set up if someone could engineer some hybrid type of setup for a Samurai (front and rear) This would keep you from having to use higher ring and pinion gears and gear reduction transfer cases. It wouldnt be too hard (front might be tough) Just a thought, ALSO it would ad ground clearance. ANYONE ever thought of this or know someone who has done it. I saw the guys sammy that has the snow tracks on it.....This would be close

input ???????????

 

[ackerdackerly]

Those Mog axles are known as "Portal" axles.

HMVEEs and my Pinz have an independent suspension version of the portal axle concept with the pinz being more like the VW bus and the HMMVEE more like a traditional truck IFS.

They have a small gear on the axle that drives a larger gear connected to the hub.

There are not many trucks (other than military) that sport Portals. Your easy-to-find choices are Unimogs (visit the guys at the Badlands -- they have a set) and, I believe, Volvo. Either way, you'll have a fabbing job ahead of you in terms of getting them to fit. Nevermind the priciness of a set...

It would be far easier to find a good combination of transfer case gears and R/P gears coupled with big tires, although it would look kinda cool...

My .02

 

[1339]

As ack said, Portals are expensive. Unless you luck into something, expect to pay several times the cost of
a full cost, perfectly running Sami...

If you happen into a rig with portals suitably sized (possibly something rolled?) you probably would be
further ahead to put a sami body on that chassis.

 

[1067]

I think you also end up with five reverse gears and only one forward, unless you change more than just the ends of your axles! But you know this, having had the VW.

R

 

[254]

Actually I was thinking of turning my seats around and driving it backwards..... Like I said, just thinking, I was thinking of fabbing the whole set up, not using an existing axle, some kind of hybrid type setup with VW parts and home made stuff, I have a brother in law that is a wizz when it comes to this stuff, he made his own rear axle housing for a 69 Camaro Pro touring car. Any idea where I can find some VW Bus gear reductions parts? Tried Ebay, no luck

 

[690]

Could someone adapt one of these gear reduction boxes into the driveline...ala Klune?

 

[ackerdackerly]

Sorry Whazoo.

The "Portal" part of the axle is usually a part of the wheel hub.

Buying a Klune or fabbing one like the monster arena truck guys do would be the practical route.

Here's an interesting bit of information:

If you happen onto a late model rolled VW Van with a "Synchro" badge on it, you have found one of 80,000 4 wheel drive units whose drivetrain is pretty much a scaled-down version of the Pinzgauer! Find one of those and slap a Samurai body on it!

However, don't expect a buttload of articulation. Independent Susupension wheel travel just isn't as good as that found in a solid axle setup. Military trucks compensate for this problem with lockers and, yes, Portal hub design.

I know this from personal experience.

 

[357]

Do a search on this BBS or the Suzuki forum over at Pirate4x4 I remember someone talking about the VW portal axles ends before, someone may have even tried it.

Like others have said in this thread - you would have 5 reverse gears and 1 foward gear because the portals run in reverse, but what if you swapped the left side with the right side? Would that work?

Check out the Bronco that Fab City built that was in the Top Truck Challenge just a couple of years ago. They used Ford 9" centers with custom tubes mated Mog portals.

Wayne

 

[1339]

One way you could fix the rear problem with the 5R, 1F gears is to flip the axle over. Then splice the VW
hubs on and you would have a hi pinion and the portal design. I'm not sure what that will do to R&P gear
wear though, all the loads will be reversed.

I don't see a solution for the front, short of popping the tubes loose, reversing the pumpkin, then trying a
hub splice...

Sounds like a nasty fab job to me.

 

[longzuk]

there is a company up here in british columbia that will sell a kit to put the portalaxle on the end of your own axle. i believe the company is called Exxact. not sure on the spelling.

the prob with putting portals on the end of an axle is the ratio would become unstreetable. the ratio would be something like 8:1 plus your tcase plus your tranny. that 8:1 is only if you run 2.55: or something like that. anything more would be great offroad but would suck sh!t on the street.

just my opinion. Sean,Eh

 

[254]

Do you have photos of your Pinzgauer? Unsure of what one of those is.....Would love to see some photos of the axles on it.

 

[254]

I am off road only with my sammy so extreme gearing wouldnt be a problem. I have you guys thinking ................