Rear axle max tire size

[Gasman]

Just wandering how tough the rear axles are on the gladiator mine is a rubicon. I see some gladiators running around with 40” and 42” I do not know if they off road much or not. What would be the max tire that the stock rear axle could off road with, and I know driver style has a lot to do with that. Thanks

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[Bbannongmu]

I run 37s. Daily driver, weekend warrior, hunt, fish, camp vehicle. My Yukon 5.13 pinion apparently made of Chinesium exploded. Running a replacement factory front and rear with Spicer 5.38 gears. I feel like 40s would be a challenge for my use case but could be fine for street use/light trail use. by the way 37s destroyed my front - factory ball joints, tie rods, drag link at 40k miles- I went to Rusty’s Aluminum 1 ton setup to tighten up the front end.

 

[Janster]

Nobody can answer that question……. If you’re in the right situation, at the right time, with the right amount of torque / pressure / throttle, etc ..… You could break the stock axles on stock tires.

 

[Gasman]

Oh I fully understand that, but as a guide when do you step to Tons. I know the extreme off reader can break tons on 37. But i am asking for people who have broke stock rear axle, or it’s surving on 40?

 

[GobiGladiator7]

a lot of factors…personally I wouldn’t go deeper than 5.13 on a d44. 38in tire is pushing it for me. People run 40s but that’s a completely different topic. I would be more concerned what the front axle wheel hub can handle vs the rear axle. The wheel hub and ring/pinion are the limiting factors even if you build everything to the max

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Size doesn’t matter as much as tire ratings. What the max load at max psi it will hold. So other than extra ground clearance and off road abilities that size will address, the axles are basically heavy duty half ton axles. So having heavy multiple ply heavy weight rated tires makes little sense, that together with them weighing more have more capacity than the Gladiator in general.

 

[imallcrawl]

I've seen guys off-roading with 40's on D30s - no lie. I ran 40's on D30's for many years with "light-off roading" and never had any issues. Here's a guy off roading with 37's on D30's


But regarding our D44's, I honestly think it can handle 40-42's pretty well, and with some added c-gusetts and truss it could do even better.

 

[RhinoJT]

Oldest question in the jeep community, or any for that matter. Again, consumables i.e ball joints, wheel bearings etc. will wear out quicker with larger diameter heavier tires. Simple. You can expect to replace things sooner/ more frequently, especially going off road in really any capacity. Now to strength, again there are so many variables that it would be impossible to really give that answer. You’ll see both sides, guys buy a jeep drive it off the lot go to a trail and snap. Then you have the guys that run 40s, off road, tow for years no issues. Now these are the two extremes, but if you research you will see all ends of the spectrum. You will also see guys break 60’s with large tires, it happens. Nothing is indestructible, it’s all about how much pain in the ass you want to deal with when it breaks. No matter what, large tires on a D44 have to be taken with caution, even with 60s you still have to pay attention in some situations .i went with the diesel and wanted 40s and mulled this over myself for weeks. I finally just pulled the trigger on a set of Fusion kingpin 60s and dropped the money for less heartache and worry while out in the middle of nowhere with kids and the wife. I could probably break those too with the tuned diesel and 40s if I wanted(510lbft of torque with large tires which equals long lever arm snap city) all about if you can put the ego aside and grab the winch or ask for help. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Stan H]

I've seen guys off-roading with 40's on D30s - no lie. I ran 40's on D30's for many years with "light-off roading" and never had any issues. Here's a guy off roading with 37's on D30's


But regarding our D44's, I honestly think it can handle 40-42's pretty well, and with some added c-gusetts and truss it could do even better.

Heck , if you dont mind fixing stuff, run what tickles your fancy. 40's be your poison then go for it .

 

[Sandman 4x4]

The only reason I would think about running any tires larger than 33/34” would be if I off roaded more than I do now, which is maybe once a month. But up to 40”? Only if that was my dedicated off roading toy, I trailered, or drove to off roading areas slowly and safely, hoping that it doesn’t rain.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Oh I fully understand that, but as a guide when do you step to Tons. I know the extreme off reader can break tons on 37. But i am asking for people who have broke stock rear axle, or it’s surving on 40?

I do very tough trails, but I’m extremely light on the pedal. I only use just as much as is necessary. I’d rather try three lines before I consider a bunch of throttle. That being said, I broke a stock rear axle shaft on 37’s. It was a twisty obstacles requiring lockers, so there was some torque involved, but almost zero throttle. It snapped like a twig. I have revolution shafts in the rear now. My fronts have been rcv’s since it was lifted and I ce never had a single issue. For me, the way I drive, I’d run 40’s with upgraded shafts on a Dana 44. But if I had the cash, I’d get a pro rock 60 rear and pro rock 44 in the front. Big money though for me.

 

[Stan H]

I do very tough trails, but I’m extremely light on the pedal. I only use just as much as is necessary. I’d rather try three lines before I consider a bunch of throttle. That being said, I broke a stock rear axle shaft on 37’s. It was a twisty obstacles requiring lockers, so there was some torque involved, but almost zero throttle. It snapped like a twig. I have revolution shafts in the rear now. My fronts have been rcv’s since it was lifted and I ce never had a single issue. For me, the way I drive, I’d run 40’s with upgraded shafts on a Dana 44. But if I had the cash, I’d get a pro rock 60 rear and pro rock 44 in the front. Big money though for me.

Big money for anyone those pro rock Dana 60 axles run just under 10,000 .

 

[WILDHOBO]

Big money for anyone those pro rock Dana 60 axles run just under 10,000 .

I’ve got a quote from them, but it might be expired for a month or two, for 13k and change for front and rear. But that’s still real money. That’s with RCVs in the front though, and 5.13’s.

 

[Stan H]

I’ve got a quote from them, but it might be expired for a month or two, for 13k and change for front and rear. But that’s still real money. That’s with RCVs in the front though, and 5.13’s.

For the Combo that amazeballs

 

[Janster]

Oh I fully understand that, but as a guide when do you step to Tons. I know the extreme off reader can break tons on 37. But i am asking for people who have broke stock rear axle, or it’s surving on 40?

The only way you’re gonna know, is by experiencing it……. Just DRIVE IT!!
Your driving style and terrain will dictate breakage. Joe Schmoe could be running 40’s on stock axles and never break a thing. However…..YOU could break them everytime you go out. That’s just the way it is.

Not only that…but you could break a gazillion other things before you break an axle shaft. Like…Ujoints, hubs, driveshafts, etc.

If you’re worried….Get yourself some Chromoly axles (or upgraded axle shafts) and get yourself some upgraded U-joints. Save the stock shafts as spares. You might want to upgrade the rear driveshaft too.

You’ll know when you‘ll need bigger axles (Dana 60’s for example) when you start blowing thru spare shafts & ujoints on a regular basis.

Just get out there and have some fun!! Just be SMART with your driving ….you could easily get away with not breaking anything.

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