What is this strange part on the rear end?

I found this image in another old thread. What is this? Almost looks like a partial planetary gear set.

Here is the old thread. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...l-spring-suspension-w-long-travel-ifs.363780/

 

it's a portal axle or hub . google it

but yes it's a set of gears

 

Possibly a gear reduction, plus it allows the axle to have better ground clearance.
Saw something similar to it on a built up SxS

 

Portal axle gearboxes (a la Unimog) for ground clearance and gear reduction. Benefits and drawbacks are described here: https://www.dynatrac.com/axle-assemblies/prorock-44-portal-axle.html