10 spline axle alternatives

[bhoult]

I was looking at my spare rear axles and diff thinking - "do I really want to haul all that on my long trip this summer"? I don't drive all that hard, but my experience with the 10 spline 4.70 diffs in the series trucks is that I would break them regularly. Now that we have a RRC, I'm wondering what alternative would be good.

- I could convert to Disco 24 spline axles and a 4 pin carrier and hubs etc (least expensive - easy to pull in the bone yard)

- I could install an aftermarket 10 spline limited slip 4 pin carrier and use stock axles ($600)

- I could install aftermarket 10 spline axles and an aftermarket open 4 pin carrier ($?)

- or some combination of the above

Are the 10 spline, 2 pin diff combinations even a problem in the RRC? Am I over worrying it?

[red90]

The stock Disco 24 spline axles are NOT stronger than the stock 10 spline axles, unfortunately. The factory wastes them down to the same size as the 10 spline ones and breakage testing has verified they are not stronger. In the salisbury and HD 90 axles, they were not wasted, but all of the later model ones in the Defender 90s and Discoveries are crap. I'm also pretty sure the Disco halfshafts are a different length, although you could swap a whole axle.

My suggestion is to bite the bullet and get an aftermarket 24 spline diff and shafts or stick with what you have. Unless you can find a low cost, used 4 pin diff, I would get an Ashcroft ATB. http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk ... t-atb.html and the appropriate shafts to match.

10 spline
http://www.red90.ca/photos/albums/land- ... _Fr_10.jpg

Discovery 24 Spline
http://www.red90.ca/photos/albums/land- ... _Rr_24.jpg

[bhoult]

[quote="red90"] get an aftermarket 24 spline diff and shafts or stick with what you have. Unless you can find a low cost, used 4 pin diff, I would get an Ashcroft ATB. http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk ... t-atb.html and the appropriate shafts to match.

Thanks for the informative response. I liked the specs on the Ashcroft and KAM 24 spline axles

http://www.kamdiffs.com/shop/kam201-rear-half-shafts/

, and wondered if I could run them in a Detroit Trutrac. The KAM open 4 pin is a nice option but about twice as much as the Trutrac. I don't necessarily want an LSD, but the price of the DTT is good for the performance. Ashcroft and KAM represent shipping cost challenges that it would be nice to minimize.

if I'm going to haul spare half shafts, I'll need to come up with a clever way to do it in the RRC. In the box of the series truck it was easy to zip strap a piece of 1.5 PVC just under the box capping to hold them.

[red90]

I would suggest the Ashcroft ATB over the Truetrac. It is a better design and should not cost more. Ashcroft also so a 4 pin, that is cheaper.

http://www.ashcroft-transmissions.co.uk ... entre.html

They are great with shipping and very reasonable. You can check shipping cost on their website without buying.

They are all available from Lucky8llc in the States as well, but the total cost won't be less.

[bhoult]

I would suggest the Ashcroft ATB over the Truetrac....

Wow - that 4 pin is a good deal! Thanks for the heads up. I'll check out shipping - I might even add a kit for the lt230 at the same time.

[ScottD]

My classic has only ever broken one two pin carrier in rear, twisted one rear shaft and one front shaft, I made the mistake of upgrading to detroit ten spline locker's before sourcing out the HD ten spline axles. They are next to impossible to find.

[bhoult]

Well Scott, if you've only broken one 2 pin - I'll likely never break one. I have a spare - I just don't want to bring it with me all the time :)

I did notice that the HD 10 spline axles seem to be out of stock with anyone who lists them on their website. I imagine that the demand is ebbing now with so many RRCs nosing into the crusher :( I get as many parts as I need off of them as they show up in the local bone yards, but I think I might need to start taking all the parts I can carry.

-.b

[Greg S]

RRC does not brake axles or differentials like a Series truck does because it is all wheel drive which splits the torque over all four wheels evenly (unless one is slipping then it splits what torque is left). Your axles are not getting stressed with use near as much as a two wheel drive (Series). Yes, Series trucks can and have broken third members, but why on earth would you want to carry one with you? They get involved in front end collisions too but you don't carry spare fenders and radiators with you do you? I could see a spare third member if you were going in a Baja race or something, but otherwise? And yes- I have had two damaged diffs (third members) in my Series Land Rover driving and one (a 4 pin 24 spline) in my 90. Would I consider carrying one for a spare? Not on you life!

That being said- where are you planning on going? Forge through to the far end of the Canol Trail? Maybe you should have one. East Kootney's and back road driving for three weeks? Nope! Wouldn't take one. Alaska, Yukon and north to the Arctic circle? Nope! Wouldn't take one. I would take the axles and removing tools, seeing as you already have them and they don't take up much space or weight.

My opinion! But I think you are missing the point that the RR, Disco and Defender all split torque over four axles instead of two and have resulting, less drive-line damage.

[bhoult]

...but why on earth would you want to carry one with you?...

Hi Greg,

I broke 4 series differentials in 2 years (3 rear, 1 front) on trail runs with my 62 88 IIa - the kind of trail you can't emerge from in two wheel drive even it's front - lots of boulders and shelves etc. I broke all of these with the transfer case in 4 hi or lo using fixed front hubs. I broke numerous axles as well, but they're an easier "spare carry". I don't plan on off-roading this truck as hard as the 62, but I'd rather not be in the bush without 4wd.

Hopefully, as you say, the RRC won't be diff breakage prone and I can drop the idea of toting the spare pumpkin. The spare wing idea has some promise though, I'll have to see if I screw some spares on the roof upside down :shock:

[punkinracer]

I've broken at least three 10 spline axles with the stock setup everytime the center diff was locked. The diff was never a problem. That was with some pretty hard core wheeling with 31" tires. Since the rebuild, I've gone to HD 24 splines with ARBs and 35s and have not had a problem yet.

[dhkcoatings]

An option is to Convert to series trek axles and Toyota elocking diffs which can be had from marlin crawler. Is an expensive route if you go with new diffs from marlin but an awsome set up...
In my teenage youth i had filled a five gallon bucket of stock 10 spline half shaft ends and broken bits of dif parts.
www.seriestrek.com www.marlincrawler.com

[davran]

If awd would make 10-spline axles last longer, can a D1 transfer case be put into a S3?

[Greg S]

" can a D1 transfer case be put into a S3?"

Yes but with a lot of work. Then you have to get CV joints in the front axles. The easiest way to do this is to install the front axel out of that D1. Then you need the eyebrow over the wider front axle/wheels. Then it looks stupid because your back axel is so narrow compared to the front so you swap the rear axle too. Now get new drive shafts. Modify the cross members to allow articulation......and on and on.

Just buy a newer Defender or drive the D1.

[davran]

Fair enough: leave it be or buy something else if not satisfied :)