|
|
06-19-2007, 07:48 AM
|
|
Hummer Authority
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SL,UT
Posts: 1,197
|
|
Alpha front axle
I'm throwing this out there because I don't know, and I'm hoping some of you might.
The new Alpha front axle (cast Iron). Will this be manufactured by AAM, the same company that brought us the aluminum 7.25?
The cast iron diff will have the larger ring and pinion correct? 4.10:1? 8 inch?
I want to keep the 4.56:1 axle ratio I have now (hell, will a 4.88:1 be available?). Will the parts be available either through GM or the aftermarket to get a 4.56:1 with the larger ring and pinion, for this housing?
Any gearheads have a favorite manufacturer? Eaton E-locker?
__________________
Black Sheep Hummer Squadron
|
06-19-2007, 03:08 PM
|
Hummer Guru
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: nonpiker
Posts: 5,900
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Gear heads not necessary.... you will be able to order just the housing, and it will bolt on.
The best thinkg to do right now is wait till you break one
|
06-19-2007, 03:08 PM
|
Hummer Guru
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: nonpiker
Posts: 5,900
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Oh and, no 4:88's for a AAM 7.25.....too small.
|
06-19-2007, 03:50 PM
|
|
Hummer Authority
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SL,UT
Posts: 1,197
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
If we can just bolt on the housing, we will still have a 7.25 ring gear though.
I'd like a 8" ring gear with 4.56:1. (or even a 4.88:1). Well actually, I'd like a 9.25 but I'll settle for a 8".
I read there were some "hardening" issues with the early builds. Maybe some aftermarket gears wouldn't be a bad idea, unless warranty issues came up. (I swear, I'm not trying to make this sound sexual)
__________________
Black Sheep Hummer Squadron
|
06-19-2007, 04:44 PM
|
|
Hummer Expert
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 829
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
I wonder if you will be able to order a complete Alpha front axle housing with a locker and gears installed?
All you would have to do is bolt it in and hook up controls for the front locker.
__________________
Desert Dan
H3 2006 Adventure/Lux/5-speed/sunroof/rock rails/underbody skids/block heater/Boulder Grey/ Defender Roof Rack
Jeep TJ Rubicon 2003
1988 Jeep Cherokee
Gone - But- Not Forgotten 4x4's
1994 Jeep YJ
Toyota 4x4 Truck(s)
1970 Jeep CJ-5
1962 Willys Wagon
|
06-19-2007, 05:04 PM
|
|
Hummer Guru
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,356
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Try breaking one first
|
06-19-2007, 05:34 PM
|
|
Hummer Guru
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,744
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desert Dan
I wonder if you will be able to order a complete Alpha front axle housing with a locker and gears installed?
All you would have to do is bolt it in and hook up controls for the front locker.
|
2008 Alpha will not have a locking front diff.
After parts are available, you will be able to order anything you want, as long as you are paying for it.
__________________
Black Sheep Hummer Squadron
(ME TOO)
|
06-19-2007, 07:35 PM
|
Hummer Guru
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: nonpiker
Posts: 5,900
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Why would you want a "whole diff"? I hope you mean just the CI housing.
You can't run 4:10's in the front and 4:56's in the rear.
And again, how can you even think about putting a front locker on a 7.25' gear...that's just silliness.
And I should clarify, wait till break one and then pay for the upgrade.
When can someone get pricing for me on that???
|
06-19-2007, 07:53 PM
|
|
Hummer Expert
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 829
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
If you could get the CI housing and have the gears (I guess stub axle assemblies too) and a locker added then it would be a bolt-in operation.
I don't know how to set up ring and pinions so I would like to have a bolt-in unit or find some shop that could do it.
I'd rather not break the diff in the boonies if an upgrade is available.
? for those that have trashed the front diff
Did any you disconnect the front drive shaft and limp home in 4x2? I know the front wheels would still turn the axle and grind up the gears.
Trail Fix Trivia
With a full floating rear axle if rear the diff is broken you can pull out the rear axles and disconnet the rear driveshaft and come home in front wheel drive.
Same with solid front axle with locking hubs.
__________________
Desert Dan
H3 2006 Adventure/Lux/5-speed/sunroof/rock rails/underbody skids/block heater/Boulder Grey/ Defender Roof Rack
Jeep TJ Rubicon 2003
1988 Jeep Cherokee
Gone - But- Not Forgotten 4x4's
1994 Jeep YJ
Toyota 4x4 Truck(s)
1970 Jeep CJ-5
1962 Willys Wagon
|
06-19-2007, 08:09 PM
|
|
Hummer Authority
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,086
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Quote:
Originally Posted by 03H3
I'm throwing this out there because I don't know, and I'm hoping some of you might.
The new Alpha front axle (cast Iron). Will this be manufactured by AAM, the same company that brought us the aluminum 7.25?
The cast iron diff will have the larger ring and pinion correct? 4.10:1? 8 inch?
I want to keep the 4.56:1 axle ratio I have now (hell, will a 4.88:1 be available?). Will the parts be available either through GM or the aftermarket to get a 4.56:1 with the larger ring and pinion, for this housing?
Any gearheads have a favorite manufacturer? Eaton E-locker?
|
cant help with the answer but i would like to know too.
|
06-19-2007, 10:13 PM
|
Hummer Professional
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: N.CENTRAL OHIO
Posts: 474
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Quote:
Originally Posted by Desert Dan
Trail Fix Trivia
With a full floating rear axle if rear the diff is broken you can pull out the rear axles and disconnet the rear driveshaft and come home in front wheel drive.
|
Problem is the oil will run out of the hubs and the bearings are going to burn up.
now if u wanted to be prepared, get 2 junkyard axles and cut the axle off the hub or cut out and drill 2 blanks to plug the hubs.
then put them in place of the good axles, will keep the oil in.
__________________
07 White H3 Adventure w/ some black stuff
04.5 GMC D/A CC SLT LB EFI LIVE tuned
98 ZR-2 Blazer
Ex H2&3 owner
My hiking boots and canoe paddle have more miles than most 'offroad' vehicles, over 350 in last year.
|
06-19-2007, 11:19 PM
|
|
Hummer Guru
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,744
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
the t/case will run dry with no shaft. you might be able to seal it someway, and just bring along a hack saw and cut the axles.
__________________
Black Sheep Hummer Squadron
(ME TOO)
|
06-20-2007, 01:00 AM
|
|
Hummer Authority
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SL,UT
Posts: 1,197
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Quote:
Originally Posted by 03H3
I want to keep the 4.56:1 axle ratio I have now (hell, will a 4.88:1 be available?). Will the parts be available either through GM or the aftermarket to get a 4.56:1 with the larger ring and pinion, for this housing?
|
The problem is with the warranty issue. There are several ways this IFS diff could be "beefed up", but they all would void the warranty.
I'm hoping that I can use the 8" ring and pinion in a 4.56:1 ratio and be under the factory warranty (that way I don't need to mess with the rear gearing). I'll beef the whole thing up, once it is no longer covered by the factory (easy for the rear). I also need to upgrade to the new front drive (prop) shaft that has the 30% stronger wall strength. I have already destroyed two of the stock ones. Does anybody know if they use a bigger U joint on the new one?
EDIT: I understand they had to rearrange things under the 3 to fit the new V8 in. That might change the length of the new drive shaft that comes with it. Even if I could get the 8" gear for the new axle, it might be difficult to get the factory drive shaft to line up. I remain optimistic though. It seems it would be easier to just use bigger (stronger) gear all around and not worry about the warranty deal.
__________________
Black Sheep Hummer Squadron
Last edited by RuggedH2 : 06-20-2007 at 01:27 AM.
|
06-20-2007, 01:53 AM
|
|
Hummer Authority
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SL,UT
Posts: 1,197
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Quote:
Originally Posted by f5fstop
2008 Alpha will not have a locking front diff.
After parts are available, you will be able to order anything you want, as long as you are paying for it.
|
I didn't read this carefully enough the first time. I'm glad I went back. I don't mind paying for the extra strength in the front.
F5, does GM already have an 8" 4.56:1 ring and pinion that will work in this application?
I have found lockers that already exist for the 8.25 and 9.25 ( I think that's right, have to double check, bookmarked on my office computer)
Do you know if the new drive shaft is the same length as the old one?
__________________
Black Sheep Hummer Squadron
|
06-22-2007, 08:05 PM
|
|
Hummer Guru
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: rollin with Beebs & F5
Posts: 5,546
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
anything new on this
__________________
GREEN no BLING , LINE-X & 35's , Adv. , monsoon & some other crap too
Hangin with my HOABies , Bling is cool but HOABies RULE!!!!
Black Sheep Hummer Squadron / camp no due's & no dont's
* Rollin with the Banned and the Damned *
"Fred Thompson for President "
|
06-22-2007, 08:53 PM
|
|
Hummer Authority
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SL,UT
Posts: 1,197
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Yeah,
The new 08 CI axle will be 7.25.
Just the housing will change for us. There will be no need for a larger ring and pinion.
I wonder what it would involve to put a larger say 8.25 or 8.5 out of a Tahoe or Yukon into our trucks.
The front drive shaft would have to be custom, but?...
The CI should solve the "deflection" issue.... I'm just not sure that it is big enough to deal with all the weight in our rigs front end.
__________________
Black Sheep Hummer Squadron
|
06-22-2007, 11:28 PM
|
|
Hummer Expert
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 513
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Quote:
Originally Posted by 03H3
I want to keep the 4.56:1 axle ratio I have now. Will the parts be available either through GM or the aftermarket to get a 4.56:1 with the larger ring and pinion, for this housing?
|
Not sure what will be available through the dealer parts, I do know Alpha will be only have the 4.10.
|
06-22-2007, 11:36 PM
|
|
Hummer Guru
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,744
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Quote:
Originally Posted by H3 Builder
Not sure what will be available through the dealer parts, I do know Alpha will be only have the 4.10.
|
Nothing shows in the parts catalog for 08 H3 vehicles. They have said the front CI diff will be available for sale, so if they meant it will be available for sale to a vehicle with the existing aluminum housing, then they must be making one available with 4:56 gearing.
__________________
Black Sheep Hummer Squadron
(ME TOO)
|
06-23-2007, 12:35 AM
|
Hummer Guru
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,123
|
|
Re: Alpha front axle
Quote:
Originally Posted by 03H3
I wonder what it would involve to put a larger say 8.25 or 8.5 out of a Tahoe or Yukon into our trucks.
The front drive shaft would have to be custom, but?...
|
Custom halfshafts, maybe crossmember, so then a custom skidplate. IMO, it doesn't make sense to put money into a custom IFS application. Might as well do a SAS.
__________________
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:37 PM.
|