I just wasted a front axle on my 04 Z-71. Apparently large snow banks and 33" mudders are more than factory ones can handle. Does anyone know where to find a good set of front axles that won't kill my wallet?
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I just wasted a front axle on my 04 Z-71. Apparently large snow banks and 33" mudders are more than factory ones can handle. Does anyone know where to find a good set of front axles that won't kill my wallet?
Any strong aftermarket set will kill your wallet. So just run oem replacements and keep a spare.
Thanks. I got one yesterday from Advanced Auto for $70. It's not a re-furb and has a lifetime guarantee. Guess that will have to do.
PLUS, once you make those stronger what would break next?
Leave the weak link the cheap one.
I ran 35's hard and never broke one. Bravo! :lol: JK man
Your leveling kit is what's killing them. Bad angle and POP!
Good point tanz45. Better than losing a ring and pinion or transfer case. Axle is a pretty easy fix too.
Thats a clean mud truck
Beatdown Z
bhuber24 Good thing about lifetime warranty with those shafts is that when the other one breaks that you did'nt replace you can take it back and get a new one for free, worked for hub bearing before
She's my DD, so I try to take care of her. She'll get dirty soon. Don't worry.
I got a shaft from Advanced Auto with a lifetime warranty, and the POS lasted 2 weeks. Didn't even put any pressure on it. Just regular 4wd in 6in of snow. Got it replaced free, and has been fine since. Maybe just a bad one.
After pulling a bunch of friends out of snow banks this year, I realized how bad I need front and rear diffs. Thinking Tru-trac's
do not put a tru-trac up front... you will hate your life. Leave it open or get an e/air locker.
Ok, thanks for the heads up. Makes sense now that i think about it. Prob do an Auburn E-locker then. The ARB's are sick, but expensive. Have had good luck with Auburn's in the past.
I don't think that you will find any kind of locker for the 8.25 diff.
Just looked into the locker. Looks like your right Foggy. Sounds like the Transfer case won't support posi. That is really disappointing!
Denali axles are supposed to be 25% stronger if you wanna go with something like that. Maybe just enough to keep from breaking without exposing other weak links.
nothing for the 8.25 . eaton had a prototype e locker a while back that never went to production becasue of the weak housing and deflecting under locked conditions . this was on a tvs1900 awd truck with stock sized wheels . i wish they made something as the diesel guys run . the bad thing with a locked front is turning will break your arm and the next weak link.
I agree with the earlier post, you may be running into trouble with the level kit. I run 38s under mine and have not broken one yet, then again it is the ton ton set up in the front.
I was looking for front diffs for the 8.25 about a year ago, and found the same info already mentioned....the IFS case is too weak to support any type of locker. I did find a company that made a SAS kit using Dodge front axles, as they're also made by AAM and the speed sensors supposedly work fine. Wish I could remember the name of the company though :/
I have True-Tracs front and rear in my K-5 Blazer, and don't remember any problems after initial break-in. I thought they worked rather seamlessly, in fact. Dual steering stabilizers may have helped. Driving on ice was a white-knuckle experience (downright dangerous), but that was probably a function of the mud tires rather than the True-Trac. On anything BUT ice though, the thing was a beast! The K-5 has been sitting in my backyard for the past 10 years or so though awaiting a new motor and tranny, so my recollection might not be the best.....but I didn't regret dual True-Tracs in that thing one bit.
I would suggest a solid axle if you do it often enough just like digiboy mentioned. TanZ could provide decent knowledge on the subject considering he was almost done and decided it was a bad idea last minute :lol: Such a quitter :spit: