Any one know what the going rate is for them? Also, people still interested in them or moving on to other axles?

Peter

I've seen Unimog, 404, axles go for about $1500 for front and rear. You'll need a yoke, though. I've seen a few places that make them.

If I was building a rig, I'd be more into 416 axles, though. Some have F/R discs. You'll pay 2x for them, though. Still, with the 416's you have the "super fast axle" option that you will not have with the 404.

peter, are you asking a broad question on how much you can get into portals for? if so, I agree with fef, it isn't going to get much cheaper than $1500 for a pair.

but going rate is largely going to depend on what portals you want... mog 404, 416, 1100? volvo? hummer?

I'd say they're still pretty hot items. A lot of the comp guys are now hoping for stronger aftermarket custom portal boxes as they tend to break the 404 portals pretty easily.


-Rob

If you don't want to do allot of Fab the 416 with disk brakes is probable the way to go. You can swap out the 2 huge stock calipers with a toy calipers and fit a 17" rim. Not sure if you need to mess with the pinion on the 416. You do on the 404.

There are also some people making custom billet Volvo portal boxes. And the hummer portal box is defiantly an option. Plus you have the benefit of being able to get parts for the hummerÆs boxes where you'll be looking at a whole new axel if you manage to break a mog or Volvo box. Not likely but it has been done.

And the hummer is more suited to highway speeds than the mog or Volvo boxes. Although you could easily add an electric oil pump, cooler, and some lines to the mog/ Volvo boxes.

The only issue I see with the hummer box is that its aluminum so you canÆt weld directly to it if you want to change the stock hub/brake assembly. Although I have seen several bolt on setups that are pretty slick.

If youÆre thinking about hummer/Volvo boxes of course where talking ford 9ö centers. And there are tons of gear / locker options for the ford nine. One small thing with the 9ö is the pinion bearing will have oiling issues, (cuz its upside down because of the portal)) so you would need to add an oil scoop, but its fairly simple and there are several threads on Pirate about it. I think sunray engineering also makes a more professional oiling setup too.

One nice thing about the Mogs, they have a lever actuated locker. IÆve seen lots of people add a small air ram to it, and itÆs pretty simple, so not much too break.

Some links below:
http://www.classicunimogs.com/index.html
http://www.exaxt.ca/axle.asp
http://www.killeraxles.com/html/portal_axles.html
http://differentialeng.com/
http://www.sunrayengineering.com/main.html
http://www.cs.brandeis.edu/~zippy/unimog-404.html
http://www.bc4x4.com/fv/2002/hulk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Motor_Ger%C3%A4t
http://www.unimogwherehaus.com/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=28
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394177&highlight=volvo+portal
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427867&highlight=volvo+portal
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414817&highlight=volvo+portal
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=407619&highlight=volvo+portal
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=330747&highlight=volvo+portal
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=392613&highlight=volvo+portal

The 416s are STOUT axles, as well, and seem beefed over the 406 in nearly every way. They would still need pinion kits, as every 'Mog uses torque tubes.

I believe that the hummer outers are steel, not aluminum... but the inner differential assembly is definitely aluminum. I've helped change one of those out -- what a PITA! The residing marmot didn't make it any easier. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I have appreciation for the 9-inch hybrids, but if you're looking for a budget-conscious setup for 38s or smaller in trail use (no competitions), I think the stock-lockered Volvo axles are tough to beat... but you've gotta be comfortable with drum brakes.

Great links -- methinks Steve has been thinking dangerous thoughts! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

Randii

Thanks for the updates, another question, are rockwells still popular? And about how much can you find em for?

Peter

I've seen some rear roc's go for $150. the front steering ones are more than the rears. Thats kinda over kill though... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

rockwells are definitely still popular if your suspension can accomodate the toploading design and you don't mind the ultra low gearing. a pair of 1 steering and 1 non-steering rockwells should easily be had for about the cost of a single front D60.

-Rob

yeah rockwells are very cheap around here .... few hundred bucks......... DEF. cheaper than a D60

Rockwells seem to be pretty popular with the east coast mud runners, not so much for the rocks. Just too big and heavy, plus the toploader layout makes for interesting packaging. Portals are all but nonexistant in competition these days, I think only Jennifer Little is still running them. Biggest problem other than breakage is that its really difficult to package a vehicle around them without having a pretty high CG. I dont think I've ever seen a stock framed vehicle on portals that wasn't stupid tall. Even most of the buggies built around them have a far higher CG than standard straight axle rigs. Plus if you run mogs you have the added challenge of that HUGE pinion.

Now that you can build a 60 from scratch from a number of suppliers they seem to be the axle of choice for just about any type of use.

Dallas