Can I safely run 35's offroading ?

[RangerX]

I'm planning to try 35" BFGs for moderately serious offroading, instead of my current 33"s. I have stock axles except for 4.56 gears and two limited slips. Aside from clearance issues, does anyone have experience or opinions on how much easier it will be to break axles, u-joints, etc.?

 

[rpenner54]

Bill how has your truck been holding up with these?

 

[GJarrett]

Colin has been running 35's, hasn't he? I don't remember hearing about him grenading any axles/u-joints yet.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Well Bill,
We'll find out soon enough. I'm planning on running 35's here pretty soon. The Sawzall is my friend. The Sawzall is my friend. The Sawzall is my friend.
Talking to the guy that's going to do my lift. He thinks it will be ok. The 8.8 is pretty strong. He didn't have any comment on the Dana. The guy that's putting in the gears didn't seem to be worried about it either.

 

[JAY]

Bill,
From everybody I talked to, the rear is O.K. The front will need some help though. You'll probibly blow U-joints doing the wheeleng we do. There is a quick and easy fix (though not very quick or easy). It involves upgrading your u joints. You need to call me, I can't really explain it. I'll have to show you on my axle (since it is still apart). I am doing the mod to mine so you can see exactly what I mean.

 

[Rick]

Jay, trouble is Ray doesn't have U-joints in the front he has CVs in his late model Explorer.

Bill, I think it depends a lot on the terrain. Dirt is forgiving, rock isn't. If you are going to be wheeling over boulders, or in Moab the axles and u-joints may not be able to handle the additional traction. If you are wheeling in aras with loose traction like Truckhaven and Los Coyotes it should be fine.

Ray, adding the Atlas II case to the equation will really put your front diff and CVs to the test.

 

[RangerX]

Well this is an old thread come back! Since the original post, I've run the 35's only once, at Moab, and we all know what happened!!! I'll be running them this weekend at Los Coyotes, and don't expect problems. I think having a LSD in front rather than a locker relieves alot of the breakage potential, not to mention my easy on the gas driving style. I've done some mild wheeling with the 37's twice, with no problem.
Hope I haven't jinxed myself!

 

[rpenner54]

LMAO (AGAIN!) Gosh I am glad I brought this topic back up. Its accually really good to know though. I can't wait to see what peoples Explorers and Rangers for that matter look like with 35's.

 

[JAY]

Your right Rick, this trick is only applicable to the older TTB axles.

Like I said I don't know what is will cost, I already bought the parts, but I haven't had the machine work done yet.

This is the same trick used on the DANA 44 axles. What you basically do is replace the c-clip on the joints with a full snap ring. That is why you need the machining done. The theory behind this is that the c-clip can pop off as the u-joint flexes under the stress. That will allow the cap to work loose and you will blow the joint.

I have already had this happen to me, it isn't fun at all. All the guys out at Los Coyotes will recall my headach as I (we) worked to fix it at camp.