As found in the December 1996 issue of
Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine
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SHAFT ATTACK
Motive Gear has a line of 4x4 axelshafts, including Ford 9-inch 31-spline pickup axels, 8.8-inch Ford 31-spline early- and late-model pickup axels, GM 10-bolt 8 1/2-inch 28- and 30-spline for four-wheel-drive six-lug applications, and 12-bolt 8 7/8-inch truck five- and six-lug designs. The company also offers individual axels, hubs, bearings, and complete axelshaft kits for Jeep applications, including left and right axelshafts, studs, retainers, bearings, and seals for early- or late-CJ applications. Information: Motive Gear, Dept. 4WOR, 4200 S. Morgan, Chicago, IL 60609, 800/934-2727, 312/225-1550.
FORD AIR LOCKER
ARB introduces its new Ford 9-inch Air Locker kit. A dash-mounted button actuates the locking mechanism inside the diff to allow the driver to fully lock the wheels on an axel for 100 percent available traction, regardless of road conditions. Kits are available to fit the complete range of factory differential gear ratios. Complete kits come with detailed installation instructions, a compact 12-volt onboard air compressor, and all mounting hardware. Many other applications are also available. Information: ARB 4x4 Accessories, Dept. 4WOR, 1425 Elliott Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98119, 206/284-5906.
DIFF RENEWAL
Gear/Tec has reconditioning tools to restore the carrier-bearing-race surfaces on Dana 60, 70, 70 HD, and 80, Ford Sterling, and Spicer 44 differential housings. You simply bolt the unit into the worn housing and use a 1/2-inch hand drill chucked on an included drive rod. The worn area is then resurfaced with a special grinding stone. The kit comes in a molded toolbox and with instructions and a money-back guarantee. Information: Gear/Tec, Dept. 4WOR, 2543 Colp Ln., Hermiston, OR 97838, 800/501-3881, 541/564-0151.
WILD AXELS
Heavy-duty custom axels for '66 - '77 Ford Broncos are available from Wild Horses Four Wheel Drive. The company offers 31-spline Ford 9-inch axels with Timken tapered roller bearings and heavy-duty retainers for the rearend. And for the frontend, it offers heavy-duty axels with 1 3/16 U-joint caps. Standard-duty replacement axels for the front and rear are also available. The company also offers complete custom frontends and rearends built to your specs. Information: Wild Horses Four Wheel Drive, Dept. 4WOR, 1263 N. Pilgrim St., Stockton, CA 95205, 209/943-0991.
TWO PACK TRANNIES
JB Conversions offers two NV4500 transmissions packages. One is for mating to the NP231 T-case, and the other is for mating the Dana 300. Complete installation packages and individual components are available. Factory adapters are used, and a heavy-duty bellhousing matches up to the Jeep 258 or 4.0L engine. New and reconditioned transmissions are available with either the 6.34:1 or 5.61:1 First gear ratios. Factory-synchronized Reverse gears are also available upon request. Information: JB Conversions, Dept. 4WOR, P.O. Box 2683, Sulphur, LA 70664-2683, 318/625-2379.
DIFFS
Auburn Gear's High-Bias Pro Series limited-slip differentials are said to provide performance. The diffs transfer torque through a cone clutch design and spring pre-load. According to the company, this allows power to be transferred to the high-traction wheel, providing higher torque transfer during acceleration while maintaining low resistence for tight cornering. The company offers a full range of Pro Series differentials for most Chrysler, Ford, GM, and Toyota vehicles. They're also compatible with all ABS and electronic controls. The company also offers Gold Series ring-and-pinion sets. Information: Auburn Gear Inc., Dept. 4WOR, 400 E. Auburn Dr., Auburn, IN 46706, 219/925-3200.
CATALOG O' GEARS
Precision Gear's new 30-page catalog features its line of high-performance ring-and-pinion gearsets for light-duty trucks. In addition of gearsets for all popular axels, Precision Gear offers unique applications and ratios not available elsewhere, according to the company. Installation kits and performance differentials for on and off the highway are also included. Information: Precision Gear Inc., Dept. 4WOR, 12351 Universal Dr., Taylor, MI 48180, 313/946-0524.
HUB AND BEAR IT
Crown Automotive offers front hub and bearing assemblies for '84 - '96 Jeep Wranglers, Cherokees, and Grand Cherokees. The assemblies are available at 4-wheel-drive stores wherever Crown parts are sold. Information: Crown Automotive, Dept. 4WOR, P.O. Box 328, 340 Oak St., North Pembroke, MA 02358-0328, 617/826-4097.
U-JOINT, I JOINT, WE ALL JOINT
Kanter Auto Products offers universal joints to restore smooth, quiet, vibration-free performance to the driveshaft of your vehicle. According to the company, these U-joints will eliminate driveshaft noise and vibration caused by worn or rusty U-joint bearings. The joints come with a lifetime limited warranty. Information: Kanter Auto Products, Dept. 4WOR, 76 Monroe St., Boonton, NJ 07005, 800/526-1096.
DIFFS & DIFFS
If you've changed ring-and-pinion ratios or tire size and your speedo is now inaccurate, West Coast Differentials can recalibrate it for you. The company also assembles various installation and parts kits, from bearing installation kits to spider and side gear kits. Information: West Coast Differentials, Dept. 4WOR, 11235 Coloma Rd., Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, 916/635-0950.
AXELS
Hicks 4x4 offers custom-built Dana 44 and Dana 60 axels for Jeeps and other 4x4 vehicles. The company has front and rear axels with a wide choice of ratios, lockers, disc or drum brakes, and 35-spline axelshafts. Information: Hicks 4x4, Dept. 4WOR, 1321 S. Garey, Pomona, CA 91766, 800/999-POSI, 909/865-7170.
PARTS FROM DOWN UNDER
Jack McNamara offers a new stronger side plate for Ford 9-inch limited-slip differentials. It's made of high-tensile steel so that it won't crack, according to the company. Stronger side gears that fully engage the axels splines are also available. Dealer inquiries are welcome. Information: Jack McNamara Differential Specialist Pty. Ltd., Dept. 4WOR, 25 Levanswell Rd., Moorabbin 3189, Victoria, Australia, 03-9555-2213.
AXEL REMEDIES
Dynatrac Products has a new and custom-built Dana 44, 60, and 70 bolt-in replacement axel assemblies. The assemblies include a limited-slip differential, your choice of gear ration, massive 35-spline alloy steel shafts, and heavy-duty axels bearings and retainers. The company will equip your axels with upgrades such as lockers and disc brakes that accept all standard five-, six-, and eight-lug wheels. Information: Dynatrac Products Co. Inc., Dept. 4WOR, 7236 Garden Grove Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683, 714/898-5228.
TOY ULTRALOW TRANSFER CASE
O'Briens 4 Wheels West introduces two models of the JP Eater dual-transfer-case systems. Now you can upgrade your '96 V-6 Toyota 4Runner's or pickup's transfer case to the stronger '87 Turbo transfer case and eliminate the weaker chaindrive V-6 transfer case. A dual transfer model is also available and is a complete bolt-in that doesn't require any modifications to your vehicle. The units install using the stock crossmember. Kits come with all the gaskets, seals, and high-strength fasteners. information: O'Brien's 4 Wheels West, Dept. 4WOR, 1302 Hidden Ct., Roseville, CA 95661, 916/773-3278.
TRANNY ADAPTING
Novak Enterprises makes a variety of adapters for heavy-duty four-speed and automatic transmission swaps into most '41 - '86 Jeep models. The company offers a truck Muncie four-speed to Jeep 300 transfer-case adapter. Information: Novak Ent. Inc., Dept. 4WOR, P.O. Box 1185, Whittier, CA 90609, 310/921-3202.
MO' DIFFS
Reider Racing carries the Ford 9-inch 31-spline Tractech Truetrac differentials. This all-geardriven limited-slip differential automatically provides smooth torque transfer based on traction demands, according to the company. The Truetrac has no clutch plates or friction plates to wear out. The company says the diff provides durable performance without loos in power transfer. Information: Reider Racing Ent. Inc., Dept. 4WOR, 12351 Universal Dr., Taylor, MI 48180, 313/946-1330.
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There's no doubt that the drivetrain is an important part of any 4x4. This buyers guide is packed with drivetrain components and related stuff to get your truck moving down the trail.
This is information that I found in the December 1996 issue of Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine. If you are interested in subscribing to the most informative 4x4 magazine, call...
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