Thread: Maxi Drive Portal Axle Drop Boxes

That's *&@##!$$!*@ bad news

Why do I have to be late in finding these things again

What could be the alternative?

Or where do I get the CAD drawings to make them in my shop???

'guess I will get myself a beer now....

Cheers, Oily

Try Mal first if calling and get a definite answer... your other option could be going a patrol diff swap and using the Marks adapters... i know a few with the nissan diffs but not the portal side... or other popular option is Mog or Volvo portals under but can't really comment on those as daily drivers... might be worth posting in outerlimits4x4.com or pirate4x4.com as they are more geared at the heavy modifications of vehicles, outers being Australian and pirates being primarily US.

Mal @ Maxi-Drive
http://www.4wdworld.com.au/products/maxidrive/
Ph: +61-7-5530 3934
Fax: +61-7-5530 3932

Graeme Cooper Automotive
http://www.lrexpert.com.au/
Ph: +61-2-9550 2689
Fax: +61-2-9519 5984

Just a note re Volvo axles ( and pardon me if you've already considered them)

Others in various LR ( LRM, LRW LROI etc) magazines in the UK have sucessfully grafted Volvo C303 axles to LR defenders, both leaf and coil. Malaysia seemed to be the place to import them from - I'd be surprised if there wasn't a few floating around your part of the world. Price wise they were a viable conversion, and reportedly very tough. The UK coil conversion ground the old mounts off and replaced them with the mounts from a defender - with carefull measuring of course. The leaf versions almost bolted straight on, that's how close they are to LR versions. (Even to using somthing similar to a Rover type diff, albiet with a cable difflock I think)

This guy in Texas apparantly has a set for sale, $US4500 pr. I'm sure there are some Texans where you are ( Oils is Oils )

http://www.jkcustoms.com/sale.htm

Thanx!

I have considered the Volvo axles, as friends of mine drive a few 6x6s and I have just come across a shop that has quite a few of those axles in stock.
For me it depends on how tough they are in everyday use. The transfer ratio starts from 5.90:1 and the Defender is 3.54:1.

I think these axles are wider, too, arn't they?

To be honest, I still like the idea of bolt-ons. Will try to get hold of Mal this week, or maybe anyone has a set of pre-owned Maxi-Drive Portals???

Cheers, Robert

Apparantly they are the right size for a defender ( The C303 wasn't very big). Not that I'm an expert in portal axles, but the maxi drive drops the 3.54 of the diff down another 30% to the wheel, so I'd guess they are roughly the same total. If I had the $$ I wouldn't mind trying the conversion - Good luck, and remember to post some pics of your LR if you get a chance

Originally Posted by Oilworker

What could be the alternative?

Fit a set of volvo portals.

Michael.

I saw a photo advert for Davis Automotive that shows a defender 110 well back with portals, has anyone seen it?? sorry I cant remember where I saw the ad - probably browing in a newsagency

Blythe

Robert,
A friend of mine has fitted Volvo C303 portals to his 110.


Note the tyres are Q78 Super Swampers, which are a 36". They also come with difflocks, I can't remember what sort, but I'm pretty sure they are not cable operated. I will probably see him tomorrow night and can find out then.

For the front suspension he made a custom 3 link setup, which works quite well. This is a video of his vehicle at work.
http://www.lrocv.com.au/gallery/disp...lbum=191&pos=1