AAM 11.5 - Axle shafts and Gears - failures?

[Ozymandias]

I'm considering an upgrade, switching to 4.10th.

Now, I'm looking for opinions about gears, AAM or Yukon? Failures of each or never a problem?
AAM is a couple bucks cheaper then Yukon.

Axle shafts, had ever someone a failure of an Axle shaft on the 11.5? I dont remember?
As i do some rock climbing with my 12000lbs camper i add quite some load onto them going up some rock steps. Should i consider an upgrade to chromoly (200$) or do the AAM withstand any abuse in stock form?

Im happy about any answers to help me do the right decision - do it once do it right.

Ozy

 

[p-Bar]

The failure with the AAM drive lines was that things wern't lubricated correctly in the plant.

 

[Jim W]

OZY, another member on this site "CUMMINZ" upgraded his 2007.5 truck with new gear sets on his truck.

This is one of his links on the upgrade! I believe he went with a 4:30 gear ratio and 19.5 tires and rims. He did some on line discussion with another member "AH64ID" about this upgrade. I have attached one of the links to his upgrade.

Hope this helps?

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...n-figuring-gearing-ratio.258964/#post-2549390

 

[AH64ID]

I think that the link Jim posted will show you that you can run the 11.8" R&P in your 11.5" housing, which should be stronger.

I haven't heard much about axle shaft failures, but low speed high weight crawling isn't the easiest thing for axle shafts.

Having an auto will help reduce shock loading thou.

 

[Bob4x4]

I haven’t had any rear diff or axle shafts. Many off road miles,some trails,rock crawling,and many high speed off road miles in Baja.
I’ve had to change out 3 front axles. 1 broken u joint and 2 that spread the ears. 2 oem and 1 aftermarket chromoly replacements

 

[Ozymandias]

The guy in Jim's link has a 68RFE I think that changes a lot for gearing.
With my 48RE IMHO i shouldn't opt for 4.30 gears as the engine would turn way to high at 75mph right??

So axle shafts are not a problem at all and can be left aside for my usage with higher gears.

 

[Bob4x4]

The 410s with 48 and 35s are about ideal.Going to 37s are fine empty but less than ideal towing.

 

[Ozymandias]

Good info, I stay with the 35er anyways for my needs they are perfect.
I learned in the past that to big of tires gives problems on other places in the driveline and as the Powerwagon has come from factory with 34" I think I'm fine. It's still a travel vehicle, that's also the reason why I dont run a lift kit as I want to keep all driveline angles in spec.

 

[Ozymandias]

So I go with 4.10 AAM Gears and leave the axle shafts alone, they are solid.
Right?

 

[jhenderson]

I’ve worn out a couple of front axles on my 3rd gen because of yoke wear from multiple u joint changes in over 380,000 miles but no broken parts. This is pushing a 9 ft v plow every winter and pulling a 9 ton gn trailer out of some rough, muddy landings on a regular basis.

 

[Ozymandias]

Just to close this off for the moment, i decided to go with 4.30 NITRO* gears.
That seems to me a good combination for 35er Tires and the heavy weight of my truck.
It should raise the overall rpm by 300 compared to the stock 3.73 axle.
100rpm more then 4.10 gears would provide.

Max speed should be around 108mph instead of around 125mph now. Technically at 3000rpm engine speed.

* the Nitros are true 11.8 gears like Jim mentioned. I like that upgrade.