The Great Axle Parts Guide

Quality Third Members
Complete third member can be custom-built any way you want them from West Coast Differentials. Dropout units are available for Mopar 83⁄4-inch; Toyota 8-inch, V-6, and Tacoma; and Ford 8- and 9-inch. WCD can also install any gear ratio you need, with posis, lockers, and the housing and yoke of your choice. Info: West Coast Differentials, 800.353.1513, www.differentials.com.

Disc Brake Conversions
TSM offers trick disc brake conversion kits that are perfect for axle swaps and upgrades. The kits offer more stopping power than old drum brakes, and the calipers are also available with parking brakes. Conversions are available for almost every axle ever made—front or rear. Info: TSM Mfg., 303.688.6882, www.tsmmfg.com.

Super-Tough Diff Covers
These tough differential covers from Riddler feature an innovative design and dependability at an affordable price. The lip-free ramp design is molded in high-grade ductile iron that makes the covers ready to handle the most extreme off-road conditions. Info: Riddler Mfg., 303.651.7757, www.riddlermfg.com.

Tougher Knuckles system
Reid Racing’s Dana 30 and Rubicon 44 knuckles replace the late-model Dana 30 unit bearing design with standard Dana 44 spindles, heavy-duty bearings, oversize brakes, and traditional lockout hubs. The increased strength, durability, and serviceability are perfect for extreme off-road abuse with oversize tires. Their bolt-on, high-steer arms allow the option of crossover or high-steer linkage, while the cast steering arms are in the factory location for full compatibility with OEM or aftermarket steering systems. Cast-in dual steering stops further prevent binding and breakage. Info: Reid Racing Inc., 925.935.3025, www.reidracing.biz.

Tough Diff Protection
The heavy-duty diff covers from Barnett are available for Dana 30, 44, and 50 axles. While providing greater protection against rocks and other hazards than the factory diff covers, the extra 1⁄8-inch steel plating along the bottom of the cover also acts as a skidplate to make getting past obstacles easier. Info: Barnett Performance Products, 714.633.0991, www.tandjperformance.com.

Ultimate Differential Book
Differentials, Identification, Restoration and Repair is an easy-to-understand, comprehensive book that walks you through the repair, upgrade, and modification of differentials and axles. The second edition has been expanded to 408 pages and includes info on 13 new differentials, the latest lockers and Posi units, new tech tips, and expanded photo galleries. Info: Randy’s Ring & Pinion, 866.631.0196, www.ringpinion.com.

Pro Series Housings
The 9-inch Spidertrax Pro Series Housing was designed for professional rock racers but is available to every four-wheeler. Every component of the housing, from the one-piece, 1⁄4-inch-thick center shell to the 3⁄8-inch-thick third member face plate, is manufactured out of 4130 domestic grade chromoly steel. The 4130 housing tube has an outside diameter of 31⁄2 inches with a 1⁄4-inch wall and is heat treated to a tensile strength of 150,000 psi, roughly 2.5 times the strength of 1026 DOM. Info: Spidertrax Off-Road, 800.286.0898, www.spidertrax.com.

Dependable Lockers
Richmond Gear’s Lock-Right and PowerTrax Lockers are perfect for rugged vehicle applications needing dependable traction in extreme off-road to severe on-road use. The locker designs do not require changing the complete differential case assembly. Installation is simple because the ring-and-pinion setups are not altered in most cases. Richmond Gear also offers a complete line of ring-and-pinions to complement the line of lockers. Info: Richmond Gear, 864.843.9275, www.richmondgear.com.

Trac-Loc Differentials
If you are running a Ford 9-inch axle, you can get the traction you’re looking for at an affordable price with Summit’s Trac-Loc differentials. The heavy-duty, four-pin (four-spider-gear) units use a steel case with extra support material in critical areas to make them stronger than cast iron OEM differential. The Trac-Loc differential is for both 28-spline and 31-spline axles and does not require friction modifier in the gear oil. Info: Summit Racing Equipment, 800.230.3030, www.summitracing.com.

Super-Strong steering
Marlin Crawler offers this ’79-’85 Toyota steering pivot system. It’s the company’s answer to large tires and hydro steering systems. The kit uses 47 percent larger Dana 60–sized pivots and 54 percent stronger, high-capacity knuckle bearings. The light-duty lower caps are replaced with billet steel parts and 12.9-grade fasteners, increasing ground clearance by almost 1 inch. Available as a complete High Steer package or as an upgrade kit. Info: Marlin Crawler Inc., 559.252.7295, www.marlincrawler.com.

Hub Conversion System
This kit from Rugged Ridge is designed to upgrade the nonserviceable wheel hubs found on the ’84-’06 Wranglers and Cherokees. The kit allows the locking and unlocking of the front hubs, reduces driveline strain, and improves fuel economy. The kit includes a set of Rugged Ridge manual locking hubs; high-tensile-strength, 27-spline inner and outer Alloy USA 4340 chromoly axleshafts; 1⁄2 ton-capacity aluminum internal mounting hubs; Alloy USA X-Joints; machined front brake rotors; bearings; seals; and hardware. Info: Rugged Ridge, 770.614.6101, www.ruggedridge.com.