Which portal axle is best, Volvo C303 or Unimog?
 

Hi

Dreaming again...

Which of the above portals are the most reliable for overland use? I have heard that portals overheat at motor-way speeds, is that correct?

I know there are people that have taken these vehicles around the world and would like to hear of problems encountered (if any) with the a axles, seals, shafts ect...

Thanks
Pete

They are for vehicles of different weight categories so they can't really be compared. My U500 has a top speed rating of 70 mph - but on 395/85R20 tires, which are 1189mm in diameter (447 rev/mile). On smaller tires the portal boxes might overheat at 70 mph (higher rpm).
People drive SBU Mogs with Claas overdrives at >60 mph. But nobody drives a Mog at 75-80 mph (except perhaps in Dakar races), if nothing else for economy and safety reasons. I think if you pushed the portal boxes that fast they might overheat.
And Mercedes is very specific about using certain types of synthetic gear oil in the diffs and portals.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie, do you know of any modified portal axles that perform similar to Land Rover / Toyota i.e. speed, ratios etc

Pete

Hi. You can get portal kits to fit to Land Rovers and Toyotas axles. I don't know much about them, but you can get them.

Cheers,
Matt

PS, it was 20.5 deg C today in Derbyshire!

Do you really need to run portals on an overland vehicle, the set up LR, Toyota and Nissan do is more than adequate, imaginge getting spares for portals in a far out place.

Good in theory but in practice I doubt it would make for a good overlander, better off spending your money on a set of diff locks instead.

I don't recommend an extreme modification like custom portal axles for overlanding. Get a reliable vehicle like a Landcruiser Troopcarrier with difflocks. How are you going to fix it or get parts in back of beyond? In other words, I second Col Campbell's advice.

Charlie

Thanks Gents, pretty much answered any questions I had and like I said, only dreaming. I'm in one of those boats where the main purpose of the vehicle is for long distance travel but I like to get really muddy as well:thumbup1:

Anyway, will stick with standard setup and like you say, spend the money on lockers.

pete