64 NOVEMBER 20194-WHEEL & OFF-ROAD 4WHEELOFFROAD.COM
COVER SECTION: GEARS, LOCKERS & AXLE BUILDS
GO-TO GUYS
I
F YOU’VE GOT AN AVERAGE 4X4,
then you’ve probably come to
realize that most factory axles are
an exercise in mediocrit y. Once the
vehicle is even slightly modified,
their strength always seems to be
one step behind the demands of
its newfound capability. Snap, pop, and
bend is often the result.
Sure, you can upgrade what they gave
you to work with. But in many cases it’sOUR FAVORITE
AXLE SWAPS
BY Christian Hazel
[email protected]
PHOTOGRAPHY CHRISTIAN HAZELbetter to forget the factory axles and
head straight for better options. Usually,
a little time spent searching and setting
up a stronger set of axles not originally
offered in your 4x4 model will pay big
dividends down the road in terms of
strength, survivability, and sanity. So
with that said, and in no particular order,
here are some of our go-to axles when
our trail needs write a check our factory
axles can’t cash.