Axle and Differential Questions
Question
– What is a Full Spool?
Answer – A Full Spool replaces the carrier inside the housing.
It distributes power equally to both rear wheels.
The ring gear bolts directly to the Spool.
It is designed for racing and off road applications.
Question
– What is the difference between a Full Spool and a Mini Spool?
Answer – A Full Spool replaces the entire carrier in an axle housing and
the ring gear bolts directly to the Spool. A
mini spool replaces only the spider gears in the carrier.
Both provide the equal distribution of power to each rear wheel.
Both are designed for racing and off-road use.
Question
– What do the numbers in a Ring and Pinion Set mean?
Answer – The numbers in a Ring and Pinion set stand for the number of
revolutions that come drive shaft turns to 1 turn of the axle shafts.
i.e. a 4.11 gear ratio means
that the drive shaft will turn 4.11 times while the axles only turn one time in
this time frame.
Question
– What is better about higher spline counts?
Answer – The higher spline counts provide for a stronger shaft.
The larger the number of splines the smaller each spline has to be. Only
a portion of the shafts are ever touching another shaft. Having
smaller shorter splines allows for more contact surface between the two splines
because the splines are closer together.
Question – What is the
difference between a Floating Differential and a Non Floating
Differential?
Answer –
The primary difference between a floating and semi-floating axle is that
the floating axle does not carry any of the weight of the vehicle where
as a semi-floating axle will carry a portion of the weight of the
vehicle. The
full-floating design is used in heavy duty applications as opposed to
many of the lighter-duty differentials that are semi-floating. A
full-floating differential can be identified by the large hubs, as seen
on a Dana 60, that stick out the end of the axle and have the axle
shafts bolted to them. These differentials are able to carry more weight
then a comparable semi-floating differential due to the fact that the
hubs located on the end of the axle tubes have their own bearings that
carry the weight of the vehicle. On the semi-floating differential, the
axle shaft carries a portion of the weight of the vehicle. There is one
bearing on the end of the axle tube that carries the load from the
axle. In the full-floating design the hubs carry the weight of the
vehicle while the axles are only used to transmit torque and rotation
from the carrier in the differential to the hubs on the ends of the
axle. Full-floating axles are held in place by bolting a flange on the
end of the axle to the hub. With a semi-floating axle, the axles are
generally held in place by c-clips located in the differential carrier.
If an axle or c-clip ever breaks it is possible that the wheel assembly
could come off the vehicle. The full-floating designs do not use
c-clips. If the axle shaft breaks, the wheel assembly will not go
anywhere since it is still bolted to the hub.
Question
– How do I Calculate my Gear Ratio?
Answer –
The best way to determine the gear ratio of a differential is to count
the number of teeth on the ring gear and divide it by the number of
teeth on the pinion gear. This will give you the exact gear ratio of
your differential. A less accurate way is to rotate the axle shafts for
one complete revolution and count the number of turns the pinion makes.
This is a less accurate way but will get you in the general ballpark.
This works okay on a limited slip differential but is a little more
difficult with single track axle. Again, the best way is to remove the
axle cover and count the number of teeth on the ring and pinion gears.
Have a question you think should be on
here? Send it to
techinfo@baseline4x4.com
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Tire Size/Gear Ratio RPM Chart
When you change your tire size you need to make
sure you have the right gearing to get optimal fuel
economy and power. A good way to calculate this is
to mutiply .12 by your Jeeps tire diameter (Example:
.12 X 38" = 4.56). Here at Omix we have a made an
easy to read chart for you to get a good estimation
on the best gearing for your Jeep. The three
distinct colors below can help you decide what is
the right gearing for you...
- Green = Best MPG, this is what you would
want to get for the best fuel economy and
highway cruising.
- Brown = Best Overall, this is good mix of
power/MPG and considered best for daily driving.
- Orange = Best Power, this will give you the
best performance for towing power, but at the
cost MPG.
These calculations are assuming a manual
transmission at 65 MPH with a gear ratio of 1:1. If
you drive an automatic your RPMs will be slightly
higher,and if you have overdrive your RPMs will be
slightly lower.
|
Best MPG
|
Best Overall
|
Best Power
|
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Jeep Body Styles and Models
Jeep CJ2A 1945-1949
First full-production CJ, had a split windshield and T-90 three speed
transmission. Intended for agricultural use it was geared lower than its
military counterpart, MB.
Jeep CJ3A
Jeep CJ3B 1953-1968
Replaced CJ-3A the same year Willys sold to Kaiser. Featured higher grille
and hood as needed to clear the new Hurricane engine. This design was
licensed to other manufacturers including Mitsubishi and Mahindra
Jeep CJ5 Early 1955-1975
Influenced by the M38A1 the CJ-5 was intended to replace the CJ-3B. In 1965
CJ-5 and CJ-6 featured a new motor, Buick V6 Dauntless. Kaiser sold to
American Motors in 1970; AMC began using their inline six engines and
offered a V8 engine. Special models included: Tuxedo Park Mark III(61-63),
462 (1969), Renegade Models (1970-1983), etc.
Jeep CJ6 1955-1975
Featured 20 extra inches of wheelbase than the CJ-5 and also had V6/V8
engines appear in 1965/1972. Not very popular in the US, most models were
sold to Sweden and South America.
Jeep CJ5 Late 1976-1983
The tub, frame, and windshield were all slightly modified. Tops from
1955-1975 will not fit the later model. In the 1980s used the GM Iron Duke
I4. Special models: Golden Eagle, Renegade, Laredo, Levi's Special Edition.
Jeep CJ7 1976-1986
Jeep CJ8 Scrambler 1981-1985
Known as the Scrambler CJ-8 was a pickup truck version of the CJ-7 featuring
103-inch wheelbase with lots of rear overhang and a pickup bed. Special
Model: CJ8 Overlander sold in Australia with full length hardtop and rear
windows
Jeep YJ Wrangler 1987-1995
Square headlights
Jeep TJ Wrangler 1997-2006
The first year the Wrangler's had coil springs. Changed back to 7"
round headlights
Jeep LJ Wrangler Unlimited 2004-2006
Longer version of the TJ Wrangler
Jeep JK Wrangler 07-
Classic Jeep 2 Door Look. Plastic fenders.
Jeep JK Wrangler Unlimited 07-
This is the 4 Door Version of the JK Wrangler. Packages available are
Sahara and Rubicon
Jeep SJ Cherokee
Two Door Large Body style Jeep SUV in the late 70's early 80's
Jeep SJ Wagoneer
Four door large body style Jeep SUV in the 70's and 80's
Jeep J-Series Trucks
Jeep pickup trucks
Jeep XJ Cherokee 1984-2001
Jeep ZJ Grand Cherokee 1993-1998
Jeep WJ Grand Cherokee 1999-2004
Jeep WK Grand Cherokee 05-
Jeep KJ Liberty 2002-
Have some information you think should be on here?
Send it to
techinfo@baseline4x4.com
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Rim Tech Rim Measurements:
Rims are measured first by their diameter then by their width. i.e. 15x8,
This means that the rim is 15" tall and the width is 8". The next
measurement is the lug pattern. The first number tells you the number of lug
nut holes and the second number is the spacing between these holes. To
measure the distance you place your ruler in the center of one hole and then
measure across the opening in the center to the inner part of the opposing
hole. |
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