Explorer I
Thoughts on portals ??
- Thread starter Wednesdaysmyjeep
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Member III
Cost is the biggest hurdle for them , you could regear 5 rigs for the cost . I would do it in a heartbeat if I had that kind of spare dough
Off-Road Ranger III
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- Bjoern
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- Eldracher
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20111
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- DO3BE
In the end, the question is how much higher the costs for a portal axle conversion really are. Because if you want to achieve the same offroad capabilities, in particular ground clearance under the differentials of a solid axle, then you usually have to make very massive modifications to the chassis, body, etc. and then somehow fit extremely large tires in the wheel arch.
If you really make use of the possibilities of portal axles, then this is a great conversion in my opinion. But the biggest disadvantage I see is that you then have another component in the vehicle that requires maintenance and could fail. In addition, especially on longer trips, you would then also have to change the oil in the portals. Which adds costs and is time consuming.
We have some great portal axle conversions here in Europe. Check out bolt on portals by Tibus and the portals of LeTech.
If you really make use of the possibilities of portal axles, then this is a great conversion in my opinion. But the biggest disadvantage I see is that you then have another component in the vehicle that requires maintenance and could fail. In addition, especially on longer trips, you would then also have to change the oil in the portals. Which adds costs and is time consuming.
We have some great portal axle conversions here in Europe. Check out bolt on portals by Tibus and the portals of LeTech.
Member III
If i could afford it, they would be one of my first mod's. I've known several people running them and talked to a guy a few months ago with a set on his new Bronco.
Beside cost, the biggest hurtle is fitting them to your axle. Today there are several companies making them for specific vehicles. That brings the cost down itself.
Beside cost, the biggest hurtle is fitting them to your axle. Today there are several companies making them for specific vehicles. That brings the cost down itself.
Influencer II
Advocate I
I saw the thread title and thought it was a reference to "Stargate"
Member III
They do raise the COG higher and make rigs more topheavy, and they do increase the amount of unsprung weight at the axle, so you end up with a higher pototential for a roll and a rougher ride and slower response time to terrain changes.
Influencer II
No.
One needs to adjust the suspension to the changed charactistics of the axle/suspension.
Yes the cog is higher, but so is the cog with a suspension lift.
Part of the unsprung weight gets compensated by lower wheel weight, 35s are significantly lighter than 40s.
There are a few other pros and cons as well.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe? Guardian of Forever in Star Trek's City on the Edge of Forever?
Advocate I
My first thought is why? On an overlanding vehicle? I could see it on a rock crawler. If you are really going on a trip of the lifetime for perhaps weeks and months, it's just one more thing to go wrong. How will you get it fixed in the Congo? If you are going to Moab for a week and trailering it there....mmmmm!?
My second thought is from what I've heard it allows you to put on larger tires and that puts more stress on the axles, now you have to get bigger axles and that passes the stress on to the diff and drive shafts. KISS.
That said It coolness factor is sky high!
My second thought is from what I've heard it allows you to put on larger tires and that puts more stress on the axles, now you have to get bigger axles and that passes the stress on to the diff and drive shafts. KISS.
That said It coolness factor is sky high!
Influencer II
So I see it the other way, a real crawler doesn't need to be as driveable as an overland rig so fancy suspension work and therefore huge tires aren't much of a problem, but just say you have a vehicle that is equipped with 33" tires and "overland suspension" , now put portals on and be the adult we pretend to be...
You keep your 33s. What happens?
You get clearance under the diff like you would be on 40s, you gain a lot of belly clearance and you significantly reduce the load on your drivetrain. Plus you no longer have to regear. If you are smart enough and get rims with high backpacking you can reduce the scrub radius back down a bit or a lot and your tires don't stick out to far (depending on what you had before) the general driving character will be the same you just gained 3-4" of ground clearance and reduced strain on the drivetrain. Yes the twisting and bending forces on your axles will be higher but that is usually much less of a problem than one would think.
Advocate I
I agree with you if you keep the 33's(in reality who does?) the gain in under body clearance is a +. Not so sure of the less stress on the drivetrain though. Wouldn't it remain the same or even increase as one tried more technical obstacles?
For me it kinda gets back to what is Overlanding? Is it spending a month doing the TAT or going to Moab on a long weekend and running trails. Or both?
Bottom line is build yer rig how you want it for what you want to do.
Influencer II
So usually, portals come with a gear reduction everywhere from 1:1,15 to 1:1,5 wich reduce the torque and strain on the drivetrain.
Keeping the smaller tires is why I said "be the adult we pretend to be"
Portals are a blessing on rutted roads and muddy terrain.
Advocate I
Excuse my ignorance, if they do a gear reduction at the axle, does that not lower your hiway speeds? I had a friend with a Volvo on portals and he could only get up to around 62mph. Is that why?
Influencer II
Good question and, yes you are correct, see it the same as regearing your vehicle.
Let's say your stock tires are 30" and you size up to 33" that's 1,1 factor bigger, same difference as 3,73 and 4,11 axle gears. Now your portals do the same but not in your diff but right at the wheel hub. The amount of torque on your drivetrain gets reduced by the same factor, you now have bigger tires and the stress on your drivetrain is back to stock.
If that factor would be much bigger your max speed would be significantly reduced but since the factor isn't that big it's not a drama. Same difference as a wrangler sport and Rubicon for example.
The Volvo you referred to is most likely a military vehicle? They have quite extreme stuff and the set speed for military convoy is usually 60kmh in Europe, so there is no need for it to be much faster, 62mph is already quite fast for it.
No, I do not sell portals and don't get money for it (I would wish though...)
;-)
Member III
If it wasn’t for the cost I would do portals in a heartbeat, set all my suspension back to stock hight so cvs and steering are flat slap some 37s on and not have to regear with the benefit of putting less strain on everything…. It’s just that what do they cost 15-20k ?
My thoughts exactly...spend the doe on a South America adventure...then 4K to ship to Africa...lol. If you are truely "overlanding" long term or for several months, thousands of miles from home...you want to keep it simple. No one with a half a brain puts their vehicle in a situation that can cause unusual stress or danger to the vehicle, if traveling solo. Getting "normal" or "standard" repair items can be difficult enough...or sometimes...nearly impossible. Talked to some folks on the Alcan hwy that had been waiting for parts...for their "normal" rig...for a week. Why, compound the problem? If you're weekend warrioring or caravan-ing with a bunch of buddies...then that's different.
