Portal Axles

Not expecting bolt on for sure. That FJ build thread is pretty interesting using the Volvo axles. Curious about ifs front options. I feel like portal ifs would be sick, though probably start breaking suspension components a lot.

 

The Jeep guys have a couple of bolt on portal options:
https://www.axletech.com/en/products/suspensions-modules/portal-wheel-end
https://www.dynatrac.com/axle-assemblies/jeep-jk-wrangler/prorock-portal-axle-for-jeep-jk.html
And because they have gear reduction built into them the strain on the rest of the of the axle components (ring and pinion gears and axle shafts) should be reduced.

 

I only know about these from the rc car world. Didn't even know they where a thing on full size vehicles.

 

*I see no picture...

And I can't imagine it would be so much worse than some of the spacers guys are running around with these days. The biggest issue I see is the extra unsprung mass. I'd expect it to be a sizable increase in weight at all 4 corners.

 

Funny how these subjects come up in waves! Was looking at portals on SxS's, and made me wonder about them for tacos! We need someone to develop them!

35's plus, here we come!

 

It probably won't happen, but I don't think the strength of the axle has much to do with it. Our axles are fairly strong on the 2nd/3rd gen trucks (you drive a first gen or just a Toyota pickup right? So different story for you probably) the gear reduction available, as mentioned in post 24, could help with the strain on the axles anyway.

 

Closest I could find that you could probably modify for a Tacoma is from DS Trac Performance Axles
https://www.dstracaxles.com/products/portal-box-kit-fj40

 

I always loved the idea of portal axles, I believe the H1 has inboard brake rotors on the half shafts. The unimog looks like it uses drum brakes on the hub.

 

What the heck wheels would you need to run for those? The center bore sticks out a LOT.

 

Most wheels will work, you just wouldn't be able to run the centre cap.

Jeff

 

That would look pretty weird I'd think. That being said, if it meant I could run portals....I'd manage.

 

It was typical in the past, particularly when manual hubs were used, which they were on the FJ40, and even some early Tacomas.

For example:



Jeff

 

That's not nearly as bad as I expected. Thanks for the picture.

 

Some of the AMG G-Wagen's had portal axles. I think the Brabus models.

 

I wheeled with the white portal Landcruiser back in the day. Portal stuff ain't cheap!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FoRRtune-p...e-Letech-Tibus-Volvo-C303-Unimog/164426136490

 

I might be the only one thinking this....but part of why portals are so appealing is the fact you could run a much smaller tire and still end up with WAY more ground clearance. The difference in ground clearance between a 31 and a 35 inch tire is a mere 2 inches and you have to do a lot of cutting just to get it to work. Contrast that with something like the Tibus Offroad Portals and you're looking at more than double the ground clearance improvement while still sitting on a 31" tire. Part of the fantasy for me would be to run a 34" tire, keep the truck looking "mostly" stock on portals with a typical 2" lift. It would look like any other Tacoma you'd see running down the road but it would flat out murder just about any trail.

 

If you're putting portal axles under a Tacoma, you are far past the worrying about cutting stuff stage.....

 

https://www.tibus-offroad.com/en/testproduktseite#Bolt-OnPortaleFahrzeuge
Apparently available as a bolt-on kit for Toyota Hilux

 

looks like they also sell CTIS (Central Tire Inflation System) like what's on Humvees and supposedly requires portals to run

speaking of new portals companies
here's another one in AZ, $5k cheaper than 74weld

https://www.wolfworxportals.com/

TIL there's something called Laplander axles; not entirely sure what it is