Last week I picked up a LWB Samurai as a project. I will be fitting a pair of Mercedes 404 Unimog portal axles to it.

Has this been done many times before and has anyone got any good web links they think may be of use to me?

I think I will be using a Rover V8i with a 5 speed manual box to a divorced transfer case. I'm not sure what transfer case I'm going to use yet as I won't be swapping the diff offset, so I'll need the fron prop to run down the left hand side of the motor.

As I'm in the U.K, it won't see many rocks and will mainly be used for Winch Challenges. Basicly,mud trees and more mud.

I'm keeping the truck cab, but I promise it will get loads of tube.;)

Paul.

Iv only seen the Big red one with 44's, linked with portals on here. Crazy ass wheel base!!!! Things insane!! Iv never seen any write ups on the build though. I think I read something about it being so easy to whoooop EVERYTHING the guy when back to toys or something because it wasnt any fun anymore bc it kicks TOO much ass.

it's not goin back on toys, it's goin on a chev frame with a 400 sbc. and 40;s llikely.

the axles are going under a zj... not sure why.

i can't post pics... but i can post vids!

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=-4290425857543810870&hl=en-CA

this one only has a 1.3 with a stock tranny, lj80case, then a grs2 4.89 t-case feeding the axles

That's pretty much what I had in mind, just with more tube.:smokin:

I wan't to run 38's maximum, so mine should be a fair bit lower and narrower.
I'd like to stick with the millitary 10x20 rims as they are really strong.
The little Rover V8 should be more than up to the job in a little Zook.

I'm not sure if I should link them or do a YJ conversion???:confused: The jury is out!

Paul.:)

YJ is quicker, but links would be better if you want to run larger tires because you can relocate the axle more easily.

If you don't plan on doing the rocks and stick mainly with mud then wheelbase and aproach/departure angles are not going to be a major factor. Just my opinion... with the spoa, yj's, and the added hight of the portals you will have no problem clearing 38's

this one is awesome

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=450288

As far as leafs go, i would put in traction bars.. . portals will eat up soft yj springs fast.

In Russia the Uaz 469 is also available with portal axles. They are light duty but should be strong enough for a sami, with more than 15 inches of ground clearance with 36" tires, without adding the weight of mog axles...
I know there is somebody in Italy who was able to get them for his Uaz. They should be dirt cheap... the only problem is the shipping... :confused:

I've never heard on the UAZ 469. I'll do a bit of digging and see if anyone in the UK has one. I feel another project coming on.:p

I actually have two sets of Portal axles. My first set is from a Simca Marmon (French Mog copy). I am fitting them to a Daihatsu Sportrak (US Rocky??).
That project is on hold because the Simca axles only come with a ear locker and I want a front one as well. The front and rear diffs are interchangable, so it's just a matter of finding a cheap rear axle and the project is go again.

I also have the Mog 404 axles. I was offered them quite by chance and couldn't say no. I admit it, I have a Portal problem.:evil:
I was going to fit Yota axles to my LWB Sammi, but I cannot resist the urge to throw the Mogs under it.

This is the blank canvas. A bog standard LWB Samurai.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v254/mantamac/DSC00021600x450.jpg

Paul.

This is the 469 on portals. Check out the ground clearance (9.00 r 16 tires):

http://forum.fuoristrada.it/cgi-bin/board-profile.cgi?action=view_profile&profile=wwwdottuazit-users

i wouldnt recommend using uaz axles overseas due to poor quality and hard-to-find parts. yes, they hold up 36"s under 1700kg rig and very old-school underpowered 2.4L petrol engine, but if you'll install a "modern" turbodiesel (for example toyota's 2LT) you'll dramatically increase possibility of axle breakage on full-throttle ride. i know guys who run those axles with 39" boggers, but they have a truck with parts in camp. if you still wanna use them, i'll tell you that they have about 5.38 overall (third member x side reductors) axle ratio, about 1600mm width, drum brakes front and rear. front has right-side offsetted differential, rear has centered differential. Weight is 155kgs front and 138kgs rear.

Cheers there!
Andrey

This is the 469 on portals. Check out the ground clearance (9.00 r 16 tires):

http://forum.fuoristrada.it/cgi-bin/board-profile.cgi?action=view_profile&profile=wwwdottuazit-users

Wrong.
Current rig is on ordinary, non-portal axles. Those are sucks :D

Thanks for all the information.:cool2:

I have been looking at another thread, and like the idea of trying a coiled one link (and panhard) system for locating the axles.
I will machine up my own joint so that is definately up to the job.
I'll fit a pair of pull down winches to the axles to help with driving on side slopes.

I was looking at the truck today and have decided to truck cab it, bobtail it and and go tall and narrow with the tyres to help cut through the mud.
I might fab up a dropside pick-up body for the rear so that I have a little storage room for my recovery equipment.

The approach and departure angles will have to be 90 deg minimum or it will end up dragging everywhere.

I'll start posting pictures when I get the plasma cutter on the body.:D

Paul.

I found this a while ago searching for sami pics... Its kinda portaled...
http://fuerapiche.eresmas.com/marcas/samurai%2048_.JPG

:confused: Wow, it looks like an Access platform crossed with a Zook!:confused:

Paul.:)

Wrong.
Current rig is on ordinary, non-portal axles. Those are sucks :D

Hi! Thanks for your infos! I was talking with the owner of the Uaz in the picture in the italian forum about his axles. He has bought them in Ukraine and installed them to his old non-portal axled Uaz. So those in the picture are still the old axles? If that's the ground clearance with them I can't imagine how good it would be with the portals...
Anyway... I agree with you about not using them on vehicles with weight or torquey engines. I was thinking about using them on a suzuki, with a fuel injected 1.3 100hp engine and with tires sized 35" or 37". Winches front and rear. So probably something under 1700kg (by the way I didn't know those axles were so heavy! Their weight is close to dana 60s', isn't it? :confused: ).
Reason is I'm trying to figure out a good setup for a "cheap" suzuki able to do well at the Croatia Trophy. There are a lot of slippery climbs (so low weight is compulsory) but also much deep mud (and this is why I was thinking about portals).
Last question: how much do you think would cost those axles? For the shipping here I shouldn't have many problems, I know some truck drivers who deliver in Russia on a regular basis... :D

Suzuki Samurai+portal axles uaz 469+SS Bogger 38,5*15
http://i.drom.ru/reviews/photos/suzuki/samurai/big_36754_6290_add_pic1.jpeg
http://i.drom.ru/reviews/photos/suzuki/samurai/big_36754_6290_add_pic2.jpeg

i have no personal experiance with portals but i do know that if you run them with leafs soft enough to ride snooth and flex under a zuk, you will need some very strong traction bars. i dont think ive ever seen 404,s on leafs just for this reason. check the toyota section for a number of 404 builds.

do it and post lots of pics

My friend Vitara on portal axles. Front links from TLC80.
Sorry for large size...


http://s2.images.drive2.ru/car.photos/x4/0400/000/000/2a4/943/88ce87eb6d5790a9-large.jpg
http://s2.images.drive2.ru/car.photos/x4/0400/000/000/2a4/ad7/88ce87f18c72ef55-large.jpg
http://s3.images.drive2.ru/car.journal.photos/x4/0400/000/000/342/987/48ceb24110a56e22-large.jpg
http://s3.images.drive2.ru/car.journal.photos/x4/0400/000/000/342/988/48ceb24123fa697c-large.jpg
http://s3.images.drive2.ru/car.journal.photos/x4/0400/000/000/342/985/48ceb240999abf56-large.jpg