Lotus CV Axles are here!

[opie74]

The whole "you're moving the weak point" argument is total crap. You are making the vehicle stronger!! Chances are you won't be breaking the next thing in the chain, although it can happen, but guess what? Now you are getting further along the trail and having more fun! That's the whole point. If you subscribe to the move the weak point theory, then don't ever, ever modify your car.

I disagree. There is always a weak link in a system. If you make the weak link stronger, you have created a new weak link somewhere else. Pretty simple.

Personally, Id rather replace a $65 half shaft than a front diff. But that's me, I don't live to throw money at my rig in the name of "who said wheeling is cheap?"

That being said..... They look nice. Hopefully there is a market for them.

 

[techno]

I disagree. There is always a weak link in a system. If you make the weak link stronger, you have created a new weak link somewhere else. Pretty simple.

I think you missed my point. Yes, there will always something that is the weakest link, but that is a ridiculous reason to use against doing an upgrade.

 

[Harleydoc]

I think you missed my point. Yes, there will always something that is the weakest link, but that is a ridiculous reason to use against doing an upgrade.

So you telling me you put a $1000 set of axles in you rig that may cost $3000 to rebuilt the front diff. Have you seen a front diff blow up on the trail and bust a case and jack all kind of stuff up. That is with stock ones. I think you have not.

I will just stick with my $65 one and replace it when I break it for free plus I have a set of OEM ones I had rebuilt for trailer spares. It only a 30min job to replace one. In less it breaks off in the diff then add 15mins to drill and tap a hole to screw a bolt in so you can pull it out done that a few times as well.

 

[techno]

Good for you Harleydoc. While you're changing your cv's on the trail, I'll still be wheeling and having fun. Chance of breaking a diff are a lot less than an axle.
For the wheeling I do, breaking a cv is a possibility, but breaking a diff is basically not and if it did, then I'll fix it. I've worked on diffs before and have the tools. Plus, I went to school, got a good job and can easily afford to drop a grand into axles and more for an ARB if I wanted to.

 

[Harleydoc]

Good for you Harleydoc. While you're changing your cv's on the trail, I'll still be wheeling and having fun. Chance of breaking a diff are a lot less than an axle.
For the wheeling I do, breaking a cv is a possibility, but breaking a diff is basically not and if it did, then I'll fix it. I've worked on diffs before and have the tools. Plus, I went to school, got a good job and can easily afford to drop a grand into axles and more for an ARB if I wanted to.

That's good you know how to fix it now go break it and tell me why it
Broke.
engineering 101.

 

[opie74]

I think you missed my point. Yes, there will always something that is the weakest link, but that is a ridiculous reason to use against doing an upgrade.

Not if spending $1000 on the upgrade could lead to breaking something that will cost you an additional $1000 or more to repair/replace. And unless you go SAS, you have no option of installing a stronger front differential housing. Replace the gears, make them stronger as you wish, you can not improve the housing.

Example... I can upgrade my engine to a diesel that spits out 600 ft/pounds of torque. Sure its an upgrade, but Ill kill the transmission and tcase and probably blow out the rear axle.

Am I further ahead or behind now?

I can modify things to fit 40" tires. Sure its an upgrade, but Ill start bending axle tubes, killing bearings, breaking ball joints.....

Not trying to talk you out of getting the axles... Please do. Real world R&D is priceless.

 

[T4RFool]

That's good you know how to fix it now go break it and tell me why it
Broke.
engineering 101.

 

[Gerdo]

The fact is, these are a stronger than OEM CVs. and as most know OEM CV axles are stronger than any other aftermarket axle. Personally I won't run anything other than OEM or now, these Lotus axles.

CV breakage doesn't happen just from bad wheeling or poor technique. Sure a lot are from spinning wheels coming in contact with the ground or from full droop and wheels fully turned. I have seen some break with wheels straight and actually compressed so the axle is level, just slowly powering up an obstacle. This is not from bad wheeling.

These axles are not for everyone. They are for the rock crawler or more adventurous wheelers. If you run fire roads, these are probably overkill.

I have been wheeling with the test team and they have been pushing these axles for over a year now with zero breakages.

 

[Harleydoc]

The fact is, these are a stronger than OEM CVs. and as most know OEM CV axles are stronger than any other aftermarket axle. Personally I won't run anything other than OEM or now, these Lotus axles.

CV breakage doesn't happen just from bad wheeling or poor technique. Sure a lot are from spinning wheels coming in contact with the ground or from full droop and wheels fully turned. I have seen some break with wheels straight and actually compressed so the axle is level, just slowly powering up an obstacle. This is not from bad wheeling.

These axles are not for everyone. They are for the rock crawler or more adventurous wheelers. If you run fire roads, these are probably overkill.

I have been wheeling with the test team and they have been pushing these axles for over a year now with zero breakages.

Again we are talking about the effect on the whole front drive train. When you upgrade the front CV axle.

 

[Gerdo]

Again we are talking about the effect on the whole front drive train. When you upgrade the front CV axle.

If you don't want stronger CVs, don't buy them.
Quit trying to shoot down a great product.

 

[mark3406e]

How about selling just the outer end and boots since the inner tripod is stock? Either way looks like a great product, glad somebody came up with something like this.

 

[Harleydoc]

I really don't think some people really think about what they post. No one is knocking them we are talking about the influence it will have to make other thing break.....

DA lol

 

[sn0wrunner]

So you telling me you put a $1000 set of axles in you rig that may cost $3000 to rebuilt the front diff.

$3000 to replace the front diff? What the heck are you smoking? When my front diff exploded not only was I able to drive it home, but I went to a junk yard and picked up a new one for $250. And that was probably a little over priced! $3000??? :wtf:

 

[4Running Daily]

$3000 to replace the front diff? What the heck are you smoking? When my front diff exploded not only was I able to drive it home, but I went to a junk yard and picked up a new one for $250. And that was probably a little over priced! $3000??? :wtf:

What he said^

$3,000? I can get a remaned with whatever gear ratio I want for $600!

Tacoma 7.5 Reverse Clamshell 3rd Member Assembly

 

[04rnr]

$3000 to replace the front diff? What the heck are you smoking? When my front diff exploded not only was I able to drive it home, but I went to a junk yard and picked up a new one for $250. And that was probably a little over priced! $3000??? :wtf:

the guy just has no clue, to what hes talking about :nono:

 

[revenantdead]

what we have here is a difference in opinion. this rarely happens on the internet when people state facts they've made up in their own heads about things they have no professional, or expert knowledge of. this happens in only 1% of any internet conversation whether it be via a thread in a forum, comments on a youtube video, or even an aol chat room........................................... :lol: :biggrin2: :wink2:

 

[Footofgod]

the guy just has no clue, to what hes talking about :nono:

$225 for a used diff from a Toyota scrap yard in Denver.

Read below. I am still wheeling hard on it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/110774-front-gear-install.html

Blown front diff is not the end of the world if you don't have a fortune in it. I'd love a set of these for a 2ND GEN. HINT!!!! HINT!!!!

For anyone who thinks these guys don't test there gear, I can assure you they do. I've only wheeled with them twice, but they put their rigs to the test.

 

[techno]

...
Example... I can upgrade my engine to a diesel that spits out 600 ft/pounds of torque. Sure its an upgrade, but Ill kill the transmission and tcase and probably blow out the rear axle.
Am I further ahead or behind now?
I can modify things to fit 40" tires. Sure its an upgrade, but Ill start bending axle tubes, killing bearings, breaking ball joints.....
Not trying to talk you out of getting the axles... Please do. Real world R&D is priceless.

I hear you loud and clear. I believe these new axles do not fit into the above category of overkill mods without the appropriate accompanying upgrades. The testing team has run these axles for quite some time with no breakages or blown diffs. Plus, there's no proof or real world r&d to say that the front diff is the 'next thing to bust". Could be the front drive shaft or the universal joints, but there are too many variables to predict this at this time.
I guess we'll see in time.

 

[Singtoe]

Wow. $499.99 each.

I don't have a dog in this fight as these won't fit my manual hub lockers.

They should sell the cage and the boots separately so I could retro fit my half shafts.

Better yet- Some one should research where those cages came from and buy them direct.

We need to start taking axles form other vehicles apart till we find this beefier cage.:sniper:

 

[LINY4Runner]

I can go either way on these.

I've blown CV's (and not from bad wheeling), I've blown front differentials. They're both weak.

These chromoly axles are not meant for people with open front diffs who run fire roads. They're not meant for web wheelers or internet engineers. They're built for people with front lockers who have broken these things time and time again (9 and counting since TruTrac install). For people who wheel the living hell out of their 4Runners the way Toyota never imagined. They're for the people who have nothing else to upgrade.

So yeah, they're a bit expensive. But anyone who's been winched up a v-notch and had to limp back to camp in 3-wheel-drive knows what these are worth.

That being said, I'm done with CV axles, all together...but you can bet your ass I'll be using chromoly birfields!