How to Upgrade Your Axles for Tougher Trails and Bigger Tires

Off-roading is a great way to see parts of the country that you would otherwise miss. Being able to take your Jeep off the beaten path and enjoy everything the wilderness has to offer can be life-changing and with the right equipment you can head out with confidence. While stock Jeeps are fairly capable, if you want to be able to take on anything the wilderness throws at you, you’ll need to upgrade your axles. Axle upgrades can help your vehicle accommodate bigger tires and they’ll stand up to many more years of use and abuse. Knowing how to upgrade your axles for tougher trails will allow you to make the right choice.

Determine Your Needs

Before you upgrade your Jeep axles, you should determine what your needs are. An axle upgrade for big tires is going to be a safe bet for almost anyone who is thinking about doing some off-roading. Most stock Jeep axles can accommodate 33-inch tires at the most. For serious off-roaders, you’ll need at least 35-inch tires, which means you’ll have to upgrade to heavy-duty Jeep axles that can handle the extra torque loads.

You also need to think about the kind of off-roading you’re going to be doing. If you only want to be able to take on a few dirt roads, you might be able to get away with keeping your stock axles on. If you want to do any rock climbing or heavier terrain, though, you’ll need reinforced housings, lockers, and upgraded gears. This will ensure that you don’t snap an axle out on the trail and find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere.

Choose the Right Upgrade

There are all kinds of upgrades you can do to get the best off-road axles. If you understand the kind of driving you’re looking to do, you can create heavy-duty Jeep axles that can take on almost anything. Being able to hit the trail without worrying about major axle failures will help you make the most of your Jeep wherever you might go.

Axle Shafts

Upgrading to chromoly axle shafts is a great way to reinforce your axle without replacing the entire thing. They are made from high-impact steel that can take years of abuse while rock climbing or traversing difficult terrain. In addition to being stronger than stock axle shafts, they are also more flexible. This means they won’t break if they have to bend slightly, which is essential when tackling tough trails. They can also accommodate larger tires by being able to handle the higher torque loads that come along with a larger diameter.

Differential Lockers

Any off-road vehicle needs the best possible traction on the trail. Differential lockers prevent wheel spin by keeping the wheels rotating at the exact same rate no matter what the surface is like. This gives you a better grip on mud, dirt, and snow, and will help you take on the rough conditions you’re sure to come across out in the wilderness. You can choose between automatic lockers or selectable lockers so you can decide when you need a locked axle for certain conditions.

Axle Housings

Anyone who wants to do some hardcore off-roading needs to reinforce their axle with durable axle housings. These housings prevent flexing as much as possible and will help the axle handle high levels of stress. V8 engines and large tires create high torque loads, which can be tough on even the best off-road axles. With reinforced housings and heavy-duty axle tubes, you don’t have to worry about snapping such an important component and being left out on the trail with no way to get out.

Full Swap

In some cases, your best bet will be to completely replace the stock axles with heavy-duty Jeep axles. If, for example, you want to upgrade to tires that are 37 inches or more, you will almost certainly have to replace the entire axle with a Dana 60 or 80 in order to accommodate the size and the higher torque load. This is one of the best ways to ensure that you won’t run into problems in high-pressure off-roading situations and that your axles will last for many years of fun on the trail.

If you’re ready to make an axle upgrade for big tires or difficult off-roading, ExtremeTerrain has you covered. With a selection of styles and options for all kinds of needs and plus fast shipping, you can head out on your next adventure with confidence in your Jeep.