I broke a set of portal box gears this week. The Msi boxes were fine. Boxes do not break then gears...:grinpimp: I was being extra crazy so not surprised but intresting none the less. I know this topic has been debated in the past.

I just removed the upper gear and keep wheeling.

Mark

Right on!
This is all the proof that "I" need then.



But remember folks, with a stock box BOTH end up ruined along with your weekend trip.:(

MSI boxes for the win!!!

Good info....



:usa:

404

portal box-52 lbs
inner knuckle-15 lbs
outer knuckle-19 lbs
CV- inner axle-22 lbs (short)

total -108

406

portal box -57 lbs
inner C (guessing 15 lbs)
outer knuckle-20 lbs
CV- inner axle-29 lbs (short)

total -121.

So if you going mog 9 anyway, is it really worth 26 lbs per axle to run 404's??

What about brake options on the 406?

Is a disc brake option even available?

By the time you get to a mog-9 you've already replaced the troublesome Mercedes locker with something better; MSI boxes cure another weak link. Add a few 300m shafts to fit the custom width axles, and how many weak links are really left?

:usa:

So if you going mog 9 anyway, is it really worth 26 lbs per axle to run 404's??

Since I already owned 404's, I'd say.............
yes:laughing:

Add gears to the addedd weight? and brakes?

I fidgure i have put 2.5 hard years on a hammers only buggy and only had one gear set break that was allready out of a used axle.

I'll be more than happy to keep it lighter if i can get 3 years out of gear sets wheeling back door at least a dozen times every trip. Not sure any axle will holed up. Hell i went up back door 6 times in one day last trip.

I did a 6000 rpm atomic drop from first to reverse back to first and landed on top of back door. Then i got really pissed at the next ledge and pulled the front end airborn and it poped when it slaped down.:D

Not sure any dana 60 gear set (non portal axle)would last up front in comparison. This was also a front not the rear.

I think the 404 is like the dana 60's, they are little week in stock form. You just have to upgrade the week links. AKA boxes kingpin bolt and 3rds.

Added weight means alot even 50 lbs per axle .

Mark

What about brake options on the 406?

Is a disc brake option even available?

By the time you get to a mog-9 you've already replaced the troublesome Mercedes locker with something better; MSI boxes cure another weak link. Add a few 300m shafts to fit the custom width axles, and how many weak links are really left?

:usa:

My 406's were already disk when I got them, but I did manage to get hold of 8 lug alum hubs, so I am using them with GMC 3/4 ton front rotors.

Add gears to the addedd weight? and brakes?

I fidgure i have put 2.5 hard years on a hammers only buggy and only had one gear set break that was allready out of a used axle.

I'll be more than happy to keep it lighter if i can get 3 years out of gear sets wheeling back door at least a dozen times every trip. Not sure any axle will holed up. Hell i went up back door 6 times in one day last trip.

I did a 6000 rpm atomic drop from first to reverse back to first and landed on top of back door. Then i got really pissed at the next ledge and pulled the front end airborn and it poped when it slaped down.:D

Not sure any dana 60 gear set would last up front in comparison. This was also a front not the rear.

I think the 404 is like the dana 60's, they are little week in stock form. You just have to upgrade the week links. AKA boxes kingpin bolt and 3rds.

Added weight means alot even 50 lbs per axle .

Mark

A 404/9 vs a 406/9 will have the same weight gears. Now if your talking a 404 3rd, it is heavier than a 9, a 60 or a 406 diff (406 diff casing, gears, and pinion are 113 lbs, vs 404 3rd which is 115).

Brakes are the same weight on my 404's or 406's. Both 8 lug with non-merc calipers. 406 hubs may be a couple lbs lighter, since they are alum, but alum hubs could be made for 404's so I call that a wash.

If a 9 or 60 is put in front a 2:1 torque reduction though out all that abuse, maybe it would hold up just as well, but my comparison was really about 404 vs 406 portal boxes. I blew up a 3rd in less than 4 years with much less abuse. I don't consider them weak, but I don't consider them super stout either.

If 50 lbs is that important, why not shed another 50 lbs by ditching those 404 3rds? Heck a 406 diff and housing is only 36 lbs heavier than a 404 diff/housing and they are night and day strength-wise.

I'm not saying anyone should change course if they have 404's and/or are currently building around them. I'm just throwing it out there that if you are going mog/9, the 406 boxes are going to be just as stout as the MSI 404 box for whole bunch less money.

Add to that the fact 404 parts are just getting harder to find (due to advanced age of axles and the fact many are using/breaking them) and I think the 406 portal box option is a much better one if you haven't bought anything yet (and assuming you are going 9 center either way).