74Weld Portal Axles

[ScottofKSU]

To be clear, I am not advocating for this product, I know nothing about this company, nor am I interested in shelling out the kind of cash portal axles cost (e.g., the ones linked here are like $20k)!

I have read several posts over the years on Wayalife about portal axles that are dismissive of them as an option for our Jeeps primarily due to two factors it would seem: 1) lack of tone ring and 2) gear reduction is too great for anything but dedicated trail use. Starting in early 2022 I began seeing marketing like articles in online magazines talking about a couple companies making new portal axles for newer Jeeps. The manufacturer I am seeing most often is called 74 Weld; here is a link to one such article: https://www.motortrend.com/vehicle-genres/74-weld-portals-for-jeep-wrangler/
and here is a link to the manufactures website: https://motorsports.74weld.com/jeepportal/

I am posting purely to see what folks think of portal axles in general and these newer products specifically especially given the tout that they work with factory ABS and are nearly bolt on. Personally, things like portal axles are not needed at all for my build plans or the trails that I ever hope to run, and I hate the idea of adding more complexity to my Jeep (i.e., more things that can break and leave me stranded), BUT they are cool!

What say you??

 

[ScoobyCarolanNC]

I always thought it was a gimmick. Something for the money is no object crowd to flaunt that they are just a little better than everyone else.

 

[WheelinMatt]

My buddy built a G wagon and installed portal axles himself. Changed it from an pretty good off-roader to an amazing off-roader due to the clearance. He did have leaking from a couple of them and I’m not sure I would want to deal with the high maintenance involved but yea they are cool!

Before portal axles: (next to my Ecodiesel lemon that I traded for my current XR)

After portal axles: having fun on a trail called Tierod Bender

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

I think those guys advertised at Jeep Bash when I was there if I remember correctly. I was there for hours and can't say I remember anyone stopping by their booth, unless it was to check in to all the vendors and check it off the list to be eligible for the raffle...

 

[jeeeep]

IMO another thing to maintain and for $25k +, I'd rather get an LT or hemi swap

 

[jeeeep]

My buddy built a G wagon and installed portal axles himself. Changed it from an pretty good off-roader to an amazing off-roader due to the clearance. He did have leaking from a couple of them and I’m not sure I would want to deal with the high maintenance involved but yea they are cool!

Before portal axles: (next to my Ecodiesel lemon that I traded for my current XR)
View attachment 380851
After portal axles: having fun on a trail called Tierod Bender

View attachment 380852

how are freeway speeds with portals? did it affect mileage?

G Wagons like Jeeps aren't known for mileage lol

 

[wayoflife]

So, I'm bumping this thread only because I seemed to have missed it when it was originally posted and lately, I've been getting a LOT of guys who are overly influenced by social media whores and have way too much money to spend, asking for my "opinion" on them. AND THEN, when I tell them what I really think - that they're nothing new, are stupid expensive, totally unnecessary, will prevent you from driving fast, provide way too much lift without even installing a lift and are just stupid when trying to install coilovers with them and, and, and... I probably could go on... they end up getting all butthurt because all they really wanted was for me to confirm they are cool for wanting or in one case, already having portals.

Not to fluff myself up here but if I really thought portals were the shit, I would have them on my Jeeps. There is a reason that I don't. That said, it's been about a year since this was originally posted (found it doing a google search) and I'd like to know what you guys think - sincerely. Am I stupid and are these $25k axle stilts really the cat's meow? What say you?

 

[JT@623]

I built a RZR on portal’s awhile back and on that they worked great and only $4K . I think I could build a very capable Jeep for $25K just don’t see the benefit on a solid axle rig. The bronco may be worth it with the useless IFS

 

[Bierpower]

^^ This was my thinking as well. They worked on the Humvees fairly well but I don't see a point on a straight axle. Its a lot of money and the biggest benefit is raising the driveshaft.

 

[OverlanderJK]

So, I'm bumping this thread only because I seemed to have missed it when it was originally posted and lately, I've been getting a LOT of guys who are overly influenced by social media whores and have way too much money to spend, asking for my "opinion" on them. AND THEN, when I tell them what I really think - that they're nothing new, are stupid expensive, totally unnecessary, will prevent you from driving fast, provide way too much lift without even installing a lift and are just stupid when trying to install coilovers with them and, and, and... I probably could go on... they end up getting all butthurt because all they really wanted was for me to confirm they are cool for wanting or in one case, already having portals.

Not to fluff myself up here but if I really thought portals were the shit, I would have them on my Jeeps. There is a reason that I don't. That said, it's been about a year since this was originally posted (found it doing a google search) and I'd like to know what you guys think - sincerely. Am I stupid and are these $25k axle stilts really the cat's meow? What say you?

$25k!?!

 

[wayoflife]

$25k!?!

Right?!! And that doesn't even include the axles you need to install them on LOL

 

[Jsouder53]

I can’t believe that it’s $25k without the axle housing!!!

 

[wayoflife]

I can’t believe that it’s $25k without the axle housing!!!

To be fair, I just looked and it's $24k.

74WELD JEEP BOLT-ON PORTALS

JEEP BOLT-ON PORTALFEATURES & BENEFITS The Ultimate Jeep Portal allows you to build an extreme off road capable vehicle while still retaining the comfortable ride quality of a stock Jeep. Our 4 gear design provides a 22% gear reduction at the hubs which allows for a 22% bigger tire without the...

toptiersuspensions.com

Of course, the selling point they say is that you can bolt them onto your factory axles and run 39" tires without having to lift your Jeep. As if, the crazy gear reduction and factory suspension system is something you actually want LOL

 

[JT@623]

To be fair, I just looked and it's $24k.

74WELD JEEP BOLT-ON PORTALS

JEEP BOLT-ON PORTALFEATURES & BENEFITS The Ultimate Jeep Portal allows you to build an extreme off road capable vehicle while still retaining the comfortable ride quality of a stock Jeep. Our 4 gear design provides a 22% gear reduction at the hubs which allows for a 22% bigger tire without the...

toptiersuspensions.com

Of course, the selling point they say is that you can bolt them onto your factory axles and run 39" tires without having to lift your Jeep. As if, the crazy gear reduction and factory suspension system is something you actually want LOL

And the 8 lug wheels you’d have to buy unless that’s the wrong pic. Plus tax and shipping.

 

[wayoflife]

And the 8 lug wheels you’d have to buy unless that’s the wrong pic. Plus tax and shipping.

It’s the right pic and yes, all that too.

 

[benatc1]

Idk seems kinda unnecessary, maybe a place for them but let’s be honest, on a Jeep meh, I’ve never seen you not be able to take your Jeep where you wanted because you didn’t have clearance in the middle, seems like just have to take the right line. But I’m just a stock axle guy so who knows lol

edit: I actually just looked at the link and fuck no, seems like a disaster waiting to happen, I thought these were a full axle at first read lol

 

[Jsouder53]

You can get a pretty damn good suspension setup and axle set for around $24,000 lol

 

[OverlanderJK]

To be fair, I just looked and it's $24k.

74WELD JEEP BOLT-ON PORTALS

JEEP BOLT-ON PORTALFEATURES & BENEFITS The Ultimate Jeep Portal allows you to build an extreme off road capable vehicle while still retaining the comfortable ride quality of a stock Jeep. Our 4 gear design provides a 22% gear reduction at the hubs which allows for a 22% bigger tire without the...

toptiersuspensions.com

Of course, the selling point they say is that you can bolt them onto your factory axles and run 39" tires without having to lift your Jeep. As if, the crazy gear reduction and factory suspension system is something you actually want LOL

That’s a steal then.

 

[wayoflife]

And, before it starts going around that I'm a hater of 74weld or portals as a whole, please allow me to state for the record that I have ZERO issues with either. I'm sure 74weld is a good company and good for them for successfully selling a product that they make. The only reason why I bumped this thread is because of people who are interested in portals and have been asking for "MY OPINION" regarding them and how they tend to respond. If you're one of them and still want to buy a set, by all means, don't let me stand in your way

 

[wayoflife]

LOL - found this pic on the internet and it really speaks volumes about the kind of people who've been influenced to buy something like this for their Jeep!