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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: prairie_dog on July 21, 2005, 09:26:37 PM

Title: Hybrid or gear swap opinions pole
Post by: prairie_dog on July 21, 2005, 09:26:37 PM
 I'm waiting for the shop to set up my gears so I can put the sami back on the road.

 Some people & suppliers say the hybrid is the way to go, bigger stronger rear end and about the same money by the time your done doing just a gear swap

  Some people & suppliers say the hybrid is a waste cause you still have the same axles & they usually will break before the ring & pinion do, so you spend money beefing up the wrong stuff.

 I'm of the second opinion myself, I've seen many axles give up before the gears & if the gears are toast it's usually cause the axles let go sending pieces into the gears

That's my.02, what's yours
Steve
Title: Re: Hybrid or gear swap opinions pole
Post by: zaggy on July 22, 2005, 07:24:48 AM
You know
     I've been in the Auto Wrecking business since before Suzuki and this is the only place I've heard of Suzuki axles breaking.
     Now I fully appreciate I've lead a sheltered life when it comes to the kind of offroad so many of you get into...but. The Suzuki stuff is tough, Chevy and Ford both break axles in 2wd 1/2 tons on the street!
     I would think with all the details and plans you sent me on your rig Prarie Dog that you will be just fine staying all Suzuki.........and from the pics of what you do You're trail running and stuff...not the real extreme end.

Zag

     
Title: Re: Hybrid or gear swap opinions pole
Post by: wildgoody on July 22, 2005, 08:02:16 AM
Was this a pole or a poll ???
 ;D

I have been thinking about a 30
spline replacement, tho i don't know
how long till I can figure it all out

Wild
Title: Re: Hybrid or gear swap opinions pole
Post by: Wildweasel on July 22, 2005, 08:10:53 AM
Well it depends on your type of wheeling. NEastcoast rocks and mud and west coast rocks seem to have the the saem failure points, (axles over 32" tires)  and when I had a hybred in the WW2 I snapped axles  and usally took out the rear sidegears/diff gears when the axle shattered.
thats why I went Toy axles in the next project.

The midwest guys and the southern boys seem to get away with the Over 32" on stock axles alot better due to the nature of the wheeling down there.  (more MUD)  If you go to Zukimelt you can see this in the trucks.  US North east guys showed up with 33's on stock/hybreds and couldn't belive
folks where running 35" tires on stock axles. 

And I am amazed that suzuki axles hold up as well as they do also , but you have to remember they where designed for! only 27-28: tires not the abuse we put on them.
Title: Re: Hybrid or gear swap opinions pole
Post by: JasonPugh on July 22, 2005, 02:07:48 PM
I just broke my first set of rear axleshafts at the melt.  The long side sheared (exploded) and the short side twisted splines.  This was with 33's and a lot of abuse, I was testing a new traction bar and wanted to makesure the design was good.  I ruthlessly hammered my sammy that weekend and she finaly popped on saturday afternoon.  The good news is the traction bar works really good.
Title: Re: Hybrid or gear swap opinions pole
Post by: tracker8wr on July 22, 2005, 02:32:31 PM
pickup a set of toyota axles it will be ceaper than a gear swap and they have 4.10 gear ratios in them not the 3.73 like sammi. reduce the t-case to 5:1 or 6.5:1 and run 35" tires. i found a set of 84 yota axles for $150 yesterday. they r out there for cheap u just have to look.
Title: Re: Hybrid or gear swap opinions pole
Post by: Rhinoman on July 22, 2005, 03:37:53 PM
You know
     I've been in the Auto Wrecking business since before Suzuki and this is the only place I've heard of Suzuki axles breaking.
Zag
 

If you only drive them on road then the front axle isn't an issue. Like Wildweasel said they are designed for 27" tyres without an aggresive tread pattern. The wheels have to spin because there is no centre diff, as soon as you fit MTs and/or go larger the strain on the drivetrain increases dramatically. In reality they take a lot of abuse, just not enough for most of us.
Title: Re: Hybrid or gear swap opinions pole
Post by: zaggy on July 22, 2005, 03:48:51 PM
Thanks Rhinoman
     You're right about the difference between std use and 4X4, that's why I added the cavet about not been a real 4X4 expert....but it still amazes me.

Zag
Title: Re: Hybrid or gear swap opinions pole
Post by: Rollerskate on July 22, 2005, 10:14:45 PM


 Some people & suppliers say the hybrid is the way to go, bigger stronger rear end and about the same money by the time your done doing just a gear swap

  Some people & suppliers say the hybrid is a waste cause you still have the same axles & they usually will break before the ring & pinion do, so you spend money beefing up the wrong stuff.

 That's my.02, what's yours
Steve

Run the hybrid with Calmini shafts or if you can afford an ARB locker you can use 27 spline shafts.