40s - 4 years, 33k miles later "stock" axles

[rob_o]

My gladiator was delivered 4 years ago and I immediately put a 3.5" lift and 40" tires on it with some supporting modifications on the front axle specifically.

I know these new m210/220 axles are stronger than the old d44 and I was really curious to see if they'd survive with 40 inch tires.

I ordered it with the max tow package. The front has an Eaton Elocker installed. I retained the rear LSD since I live in NY and we have rough winters.

5.38 gears & artec front truss with C gusset. The steering/ track bar is from synergy

Originally I ran 40" milestar Patagonias for about 12k miles, I ended up selling those wheels & tires when I purchased my method 105s & went with Yokohama Geolandars XMTs.

I've got some 42x13.5r17 toyo open country R/T Pro tires on the way & will continue to use the stock axles until they break.

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[AbyssOffroad]

Awesome! Jeep looks great. As far as 4 years 33k miles goes - how are you wheeling your Jeep? Doing much off road or is it mostly pavement/fire roads? Any extra maintenance done to axle shafts, steering knuckles, bigger brakes etc?

I am only asking all these questions because I really like the look of bigger tires on a Gladiator but feel like there is more hidden maintenance than just a lift, axle truss and regear and you have been running this setup for long enough to know what might break first lol.

 

[Stan H]

My gladiator was delivered 4 years ago and I immediately put a 3.5" lift and 40" tires on it with some supporting modifications on the front axle specifically.

I know these new m210/220 axles are stronger than the old d44 and I was really curious to see if they'd survive with 40 inch tires.

I ordered it with the max tow package. The front has an Eaton Elocker installed. I retained the rear LSD since I live in NY and we have rough winters.

5.38 gears & artec front truss with C gusset. The steering/ track bar is from synergy

Originally I ran 40" milestar Patagonias for about 12k miles, I ended up selling those wheels & tires when I purchased my method 105s & went with Yokohama Geolandars XMTs.

I've got some 42x13.5r17 toyo open country R/T Pro tires on the way & will continue to use the stock axles until they break.

42's 🫠 so what of any issues thus far. Why dont ya just skip the 42's and get Bigfoot tires

 

[rob_o]

Awesome! Jeep looks great. As far as 4 years 33k miles goes - how are you wheeling your Jeep? Doing much off road or is it mostly pavement/fire roads? Any extra maintenance done to axle shafts, steering knuckles, bigger brakes etc?

I am only asking all these questions because I really like the look of bigger tires on a Gladiator but feel like there is more hidden maintenance than just a lift, axle truss and regear and you have been running this setup for long enough to know what might break first lol.

Just what I put in my original post was modified. Im still on my original pads and rotors. All I've done is oil & diff fluid changes.

 

[PuddleJumper]

My gladiator was delivered 4 years ago and I immediately put a 3.5" lift and 40" tires on it with some supporting modifications on the front axle specifically.

I know these new m210/220 axles are stronger than the old d44 and I was really curious to see if they'd survive with 40 inch tires.

I ordered it with the max tow package. The front has an Eaton Elocker installed. I retained the rear LSD since I live in NY and we have rough winters.

5.38 gears & artec front truss with C gusset. The steering/ track bar is from synergy

Originally I ran 40" milestar Patagonias for about 12k miles, I ended up selling those wheels & tires when I purchased my method 105s & went with Yokohama Geolandars XMTs.

I've got some 42x13.5r17 toyo open country R/T Pro tires on the way & will continue to use the stock axles until they break.

how are the ball joints? or are you excluding them from the "stock axle" assembly. I'm running 37s on mine with no supporting mods whatsoever. and i finally had to do a ball joint delete at 57k. everything else has been fine.

 

[rob_o]

how are the ball joints? or are you excluding them from the "stock axle" assembly. I'm running 37s on mine with no supporting mods whatsoever. and i finally had to do a ball joint delete at 57k. everything else has been fine.

Im still on the original factory ball joints.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Im still on the original factory ball joints.

Nice! how would you say your driving habits are on and off road? Trying to find out if its, luck, driving styles, specific corner weight. What exactly kills the balljoints?

 

[Stan H]

Nice! how would you say your driving habits are on and off road? Trying to find out if its, luck, driving styles, specific corner weight. What exactly kills the balljoints?

A good and valid question.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I'd like to know what the specs are on your wheels also?

 

[rob_o]

Nice! how would you say your driving habits are on and off road? Trying to find out if its, luck, driving styles, specific corner weight. What exactly kills the balljoints?

I live near 3 sets of railroad tracks and hit em at 40 mph daily because its fun to me.

I am not a skinny pedal masher by any means offroad anymore I broke way to much shit on my 1ton swapped LJ.

Where i live we dont have anything like Moab, its mostly dirt trails, mud and some moderate technical stuff but no slickrock.

I built the truck with overlanding in mind and getting to remote campsites. I would say on a 1-10 I've never really taken it past a 6 trail.

We do have a trip planned upto Canada with boulders the size of my house so that'll be the ultimate test for me coming up.

 

[rob_o]

I'd like to know what the specs are on your wheels also?

Method 105 beadlocks they are 38lbs each with 90lb tires.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Method 105 beadlocks they are 38lbs each with 90lb tires.

What is the size, width, back spacing? I'm curious, cause this would affect the wear on the ball joints.
I'll probably never go over 37s anytime soon. But the more people that run 38s or over give me hope that I'll never have issues.

 

[imallcrawl]

I ran 40's on stock D30's with my JKU, only upgrades were steering components with zero axle upgrades. Did very light off roading, mud, dirt and sand but of course for me, it was mostly street driving almost on a daily basis. I bought HD ball joints just in case it would fail but 5 years later, until I sold my JKU earlier this year it never did. Again, this was on a D30. I have faith the 40's on my JT's D44s will last awhile

@rob_o glad to hear its holding up!

 

[rob_o]

42s on at 33,300 Miles see you in 4 years / when axle explodes

 

[Stan H]

42s on at 33,300 Miles see you in 4 years / when axle explodes

Didn't know TOYO made a tire that big bet those tires are heavy

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