Alpha front axle
 

I'm throwing this out there because I don't know, and I'm hoping some of you might.

The new Alpha front axle (cast Iron). Will this be manufactured by AAM, the same company that brought us the aluminum 7.25?

The cast iron diff will have the larger ring and pinion correct? 4.10:1? 8 inch?

I want to keep the 4.56:1 axle ratio I have now (hell, will a 4.88:1 be available?). Will the parts be available either through GM or the aftermarket to get a 4.56:1 with the larger ring and pinion, for this housing?

Any gearheads have a favorite manufacturer? Eaton E-locker? :D

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Gear heads not necessary.... you will be able to order just the housing, and it will bolt on.

The best thinkg to do right now is wait till you break one:dancingbanana:

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Oh and, no 4:88's for a AAM 7.25.....too small.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

If we can just bolt on the housing, we will still have a 7.25 ring gear though.

I'd like a 8" ring gear with 4.56:1. (or even a 4.88:1). Well actually, I'd like a 9.25 but I'll settle for a 8". :giggling:

I read there were some "hardening" issues with the early builds. Maybe some aftermarket gears wouldn't be a bad idea, unless warranty issues came up. (I swear, I'm not trying to make this sound sexual) :D

Re: Alpha front axle
 

I wonder if you will be able to order a complete Alpha front axle housing with a locker and gears installed?

All you would have to do is bolt it in and hook up controls for the front locker.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Try breaking one first

Re: Alpha front axle
 

2008 Alpha will not have a locking front diff.

After parts are available, you will be able to order anything you want, as long as you are paying for it.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Why would you want a "whole diff"? I hope you mean just the CI housing.

You can't run 4:10's in the front and 4:56's in the rear.

And again, how can you even think about putting a front locker on a 7.25' gear...that's just silliness.:D

And I should clarify, wait till break one and then pay for the upgrade.

When can someone get pricing for me on that???;)

Re: Alpha front axle
 

If you could get the CI housing and have the gears (I guess stub axle assemblies too) and a locker added then it would be a bolt-in operation.

I don't know how to set up ring and pinions so I would like to have a bolt-in unit or find some shop that could do it.

I'd rather not break the diff in the boonies if an upgrade is available.

? for those that have trashed the front diff

Did any you disconnect the front drive shaft and limp home in 4x2? I know the front wheels would still turn the axle and grind up the gears.


Trail Fix Trivia
With a full floating rear axle if rear the diff is broken you can pull out the rear axles and disconnet the rear driveshaft and come home in front wheel drive.

Same with solid front axle with locking hubs.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

cant help with the answer but i would like to know too.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Problem is the oil will run out of the hubs and the bearings are going to burn up.

now if u wanted to be prepared, get 2 junkyard axles and cut the axle off the hub or cut out and drill 2 blanks to plug the hubs.

then put them in place of the good axles, will keep the oil in.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

the t/case will run dry with no shaft. you might be able to seal it someway, and just bring along a hack saw and cut the axles.:dancingbanana:

Re: Alpha front axle
 

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode=BK&PartNumber=6 151450&Description=Transmission+Tail+Shaft+Plug

Carry something like this with you...

Re: Alpha front axle
 

The problem is with the warranty issue. There are several ways this IFS diff could be "beefed up", but they all would void the warranty.

I'm hoping that I can use the 8" ring and pinion in a 4.56:1 ratio and be under the factory warranty (that way I don't need to mess with the rear gearing). I'll beef the whole thing up, once it is no longer covered by the factory (easy for the rear). I also need to upgrade to the new front drive (prop) shaft that has the 30% stronger wall strength. I have already destroyed two of the stock ones. Does anybody know if they use a bigger U joint on the new one?

EDIT: I understand they had to rearrange things under the 3 to fit the new V8 in. That might change the length of the new drive shaft that comes with it. Even if I could get the 8" gear for the new axle, it might be difficult to get the factory drive shaft to line up. I remain optimistic though. It seems it would be easier to just use bigger (stronger) gear all around and not worry about the warranty deal.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

I didn't read this carefully enough the first time. I'm glad I went back. ;) I don't mind paying for the extra strength in the front.

F5, does GM already have an 8" 4.56:1 ring and pinion that will work in this application?

I have found lockers that already exist for the 8.25 and 9.25 ( I think that's right, have to double check, bookmarked on my office computer)

Do you know if the new drive shaft is the same length as the old one?

Re: Alpha front axle
 

anything new on this :popcorn:

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Yeah,

The new 08 CI axle will be 7.25.

Just the housing will change for us. There will be no need for a larger ring and pinion.

I wonder what it would involve to put a larger say 8.25 or 8.5 out of a Tahoe or Yukon into our trucks.

The front drive shaft would have to be custom, but?...

The CI should solve the "deflection" issue.... I'm just not sure that it is big enough to deal with all the weight in our rigs front end.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Not sure what will be available through the dealer parts, I do know Alpha will be only have the 4.10.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Nothing shows in the parts catalog for 08 H3 vehicles. They have said the front CI diff will be available for sale, so if they meant it will be available for sale to a vehicle with the existing aluminum housing, then they must be making one available with 4:56 gearing.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Custom halfshafts, maybe crossmember, so then a custom skidplate. IMO, it doesn't make sense to put money into a custom IFS application. Might as well do a SAS.

Re: Alpha front axle
 

I agree Sewie. It's just like we discussed on Pirate.

All I am really looking for though is a stronger axle that's better able to handle and apply the torque.

:beerchug:

Re: Alpha front axle
 

Oh, I hear ya. Trust me. :(

Re: Alpha front axle
 

so the CI housing is a direct fit for the alu housing? I would do this after my warranty is up...hey maybe GM would start putting them in if enough alu units exploded under warranty...:D

Re: Alpha front axle
 

I wonder if it would be possible to come up with some kind of support or brace to keep the housing from flexing. I am not sure exactly how it does flex. But I have seen other 4x4 with axle braces, although I think they are more for the tube portion on a full axle. Just a thought if any engineers out there can tell me how far off I am.