Jeep Wrangler TJ Full Electric Conversions

Next Weak Link in the Chain?

jeep_boss

jeep_boss

TJ Addict
Original poster
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2017
Messages
1,148
Location
Seattle, WA, United States
Wanted to see if anyone could provide some feedback on this. I recently threw in a set of RCV front axles in my 05 TJR. Installed new (Spicer) ball joints and stock knuckles, I'm contemplating what I should be doing next to strengthen my front end.

My build case would be this:
  • 35" tires
  • Off-road - light rock crawling, lot's of long rough trails / forest service roads
  • On-road - LARGE potholes, in and around the Seattle area (terrifying, I've had to replace my motor mounts 3 times in the year and a half that I've owned my '11 M3 and all but destroyed the underside of its front end!)
If my logic is correct, the next weak links in the chain are the knuckles, C's, and axle tube. I was looking at possibly getting a set of Crane knuckles, since they aren't that expensive and would be easy to install.

I'm not sure if I'm prepared to go as far as installing a new set of upgraded C's right now, but if my Jeep's current configuration turns out to be compatible and if I can find a good installation resource, I may consider doing that next spring.

I'm mostly happy with my lift (Rubicon Express 5.5", installed properly and holding up well). I have single tube Rock Crawler shocks, ~5-6 months old and haven't been abused yet. I may upgrade these when I delete my front fenders.

My rear is stock TJR, but I don't want to focus on it right now. Just trying to wrap my head around what I'll need to do to strengthen my front end so that it would be undeniably "solid".
 
Here in the PNW, we don't have the sort of rocks they do sown in places like JV and Moab. Because of that, you and I probably do really similar terrain. I run 33" tires, RCV axles, and mine is also a Rubicon model. I've had no issues breaking anything at all the way it is. I also know how to drive and I'm not heavy on the throttle.

Sure, I'd probably replacing the axle tube and C's next (in my mind that's the next weak link), but what would be the point unless you're bouncing it off big rocks, know what I mean?
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeep_boss
jeep_boss said:
Wanted to see if anyone could provide some feedback on this. I recently threw in a set of RCV front axles in my 05 TJR. Installed new (Spicer) ball joints and stock knuckles, I'm contemplating what I should be doing next to strengthen my front end.

My build case would be this:
  • 35" tires
  • Off-road - light rock crawling, lot's of long rough trails / forest service roads
  • On-road - LARGE potholes, in and around the Seattle area (terrifying, I've had to replace my motor mounts 3 times in the year and a half that I've owned my '11 M3 and all but destroyed the underside of its front end!)
If my logic is correct, the next weak links in the chain are the knuckles, C's, and axle tube. I was looking at possibly getting a set of Crane knuckles, since they aren't that expensive and would be easy to install..
Click to expand...
Those requirements mean your knuckles, C's, and axle tubes are more than up to your needs as they they are now with your 35" tires.

You upgraded your front shafts but it is the rear axle shafts that are under more stress and are in more need of upgrading. I'd go with Revolution Gear's lifetime warranty 30 spline alloy shafts and be done with it. Revolution Gear & Axle has their "Discovery" shaft line too which is imported but it's not as strong as their US made line is which is forged/manufactured in Los Angeles. www.revolutiongear.com[/QUOTE]
 
  • Like
Reactions: 05 Blue Unlimited, jeep_boss and Chris
Jerry Bransford said:
Those requirements mean your knuckles, C's, and axle tubes are more than up to your needs as they they are now with your 35" tires.

You upgraded your front shafts but it is the rear axle shafts that are under more stress and are in more need of upgrading. I'd go with Revolution Gear's lifetime warranty 30 spline alloy shafts and be done with it. Revolution Gear & Axle has their "Discovery" shaft line too which is imported but it's not as strong as their US made line is which is forged/manufactured in Los Angeles. www.revolutiongear.com
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]

Took the Jeep out near Mt. Rainier again today - I don't know if it was a mind trick, but I had the rear axle shafts front and center in my mind! Thanks for the recommendation, I'm ordering a set of rears tonight.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jerry Bransford
Going with the Ten Factory for the rears - hoping to get these installed tomorrow in advance of a 3 day weekend.

I haven't disassembled my rears yet, I'll have a slide hammer tomorrow and I have access to a press for the bearings. I guess I should actually read the FSM soon to see what other exotic tools that I'll need to get to get them installed!
 
jeep_boss said:
Going with the Ten Factory for the rears - hoping to get these installed tomorrow in advance of a 3 day weekend.

I haven't disassembled my rears yet, I'll have a slide hammer tomorrow and I have access to a press for the bearings. I guess I should actually read the FSM soon to see what other exotic tools that I'll need to get to get them installed!
Click to expand...

Scratch that - 4140 steel :/
 
Chris said:
Why not go with the Revolution USA made axle shafts? We are talking about axle shafts, not axles, right?
Click to expand...

The USA made Revs (RAK44-1) are what I wanted, but the only place that I can find them in stock are eBay (eBay is dead to me) and some shady online retailers. If you happen to know of a reputable source for them, definitely let me know!
 
jeep_boss said:
The USA made Revs (RAK44-1) are what I wanted, but the only place that I can find them in stock are eBay (eBay is dead to me) and some shady online retailers. If you happen to know of a reputable source for them, definitely let me know!
Click to expand...

4LowParts doesn't have them in stock? Have you contacted Revolution directly? That's shocking that there aren't any in stock. I'd personally hold out until they get more in. I say that because for the price (and the made in the USA factor) they can't be beat. I run them in my TJ!
 
Chris said:
4LowParts doesn't have them in stock? Have you contacted Revolution directly? That's shocking that there aren't any in stock. I'd personally hold out until they get more in. I say that because for the price (and the made in the USA factor) they can't be beat. I run them in my TJ!
Click to expand...

4Lo is out of stock. I'll reach out to Revolution and see what's up!
 
Jerry Bransford said:
Not high enough that I'd buy either of those imported brands over the US manufactured Revolution Gear axle shafts. :)
Click to expand...

I hear you on that. I can totally see running a set of those and having one explode in my axle tube destroying my Jeep's rear end (if it were to happen to someone, I would be the one to find a way to break them somehow).

I guess I'll just have to baby my stock axles on the trails this weekend.
 
Found a set online - snail mail will give me some time to make sure I have everything I need to get them installed. Now I'll have to figure out what to do with the free time (Fender delete maybe!)
 
jeep_boss said:
Found a set online - snail mail will give me some time to make sure I have everything I need to get them installed. Now I'll have to figure out what to do with the free time (Fender delete maybe!)
Click to expand...

The vendor "thought" they had a set, I paid them, they did not actually have a set in stock.

Back to square one. I suppose that I'll have to wait until the end of the month.
 

Similar threads

DWLJ
Weak link?
Replies
14
Views
2,904
TJ General Discussion
KMET
KMET
jeep_boss
Pulled the trigger, now what?
Replies
3
Views
862
TJ General Discussion
bobthetj03
bobthetj03
JoshNZ
What is the tailgates weak link?
Replies
5
Views
1,894
TJ General Discussion
JoshNZ
JoshNZ
Potomus Pete
Timing Chain= I'm going In
Replies
0
Views
595
TJ General Discussion
Potomus Pete
Potomus Pete
Igoo65
Transfer Case Chain Replacement
Replies
2
Views
4,261
TJ General Discussion
oldjeepman
oldjeepman
Top Bottom
Back