Jeep Wrangler Axle Upgrades for Oversized Tires | Built2Wander

We have run the Nitto Trail Grappler for the better part of the last decade and fallen in love with it. Having run multiple sizes of the Trail Grappler in all kinds of different terrain, we have found that you don’t have to compromise quiet and smooth on-road performance for aggressive off-road performance. When Nitto released the 42” variant at the end of 2020, we started dreaming up the perfect build for it.
It just so happened that Jeep would release the Wrangler Rubicon 392 around the same time. Featuring a Hemi V8 with 470 Horsepower, we couldn’t think of a better Jeep to fit the 42” Nitto Trail Grappler under, since it takes big power to rotate a big tire! Often times, however, oversized tires tend to stress factory drivetrain components. We knew if we wanted to run a 42” tire, we would some serious axle upgrades!
We teamed up with Erik Miller, a 2X King of the Hammers Champion, to build out a custom set of Fabricated 9” Axle Housings. Erik helped us identify the appropriate internal components that would offer plenty of strength and durability in supporting a 42” tire. The end result is a unique set of axles that are almost identical to what is underneath Erik Millers Ultra-4 race car. If his car can handle King of Hammers, we are confident the 392 can handle the tough off-road trails we plan to take it on!
0:00 Intro with Collin
0:50 Why Collin Chose to Run the Nitto 42” Trail Grappler
1:42 Planning an Off-Road Vehicle Build Around the Tire
3:28 Teaming Up With Erik Miller on Upgraded Axles
4:16 Front Axle Overview - Internal Components, Brakes, and Steering
7:07 Rear Axle Overview - Internal Components, Brakes, and Brackets
9:33 Summary of 42” Trail Grappler and Axle Upgrades
10:36 Outro with Collin
Tune in to learn more about why we chose to run the 42” Nitto Trail Grappler and all of the axle upgrades that allowed us to do so properly.
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[@co4x4]

Whoa! The best Jeep JL built ive seen. Cheers from Denver Colorado

[@grisa12345]

Let’s see it in the rocks! Nice build!

[@Built2Wander]

Coming right up! Thanks for the kind feedback. 👊🏻

[@khairulhadimuhtaddir9101]

Awesome video and amazing JEEP built 🙂

[@southwestoffroad]

Dam that's a baddass Jeep. Doesn't get much better than that.

[@Ryon_Davis]

Always great builds from you sir!! But you guys nailed this one!!! Next level!!!

[@Built2Wander]

Thanks Ryon. We are really stoked about this build. It’s hard to raise the bar but we tried!

[@peartreeranch]

Headed home next week to put my new Nitto 38’s under my gladiator!

[@Built2Wander]

That’s awesome! You’re going to love it. 👏🏻

[@chrismarinock520]

I wish I was rich. My JLRU is only on 37's with a 4 banger engine. 😔

[@Rommer2258]

37s are a great sized tire, realistically they'll do everything you ask them to do. The 42 is too big of a tire, realistically a 40 is the biggest tire most should run unless you run a dedicated buggy.

[@Built2Wander]

The 2.0L turbo is awesome in the JLUR. That’s what we had in Triton. And 37s are a great setup. Realistically all you need! I will admit that a 42 is excessive… but it sounds to me like you are well on the right track. As long as you enjoy your Jeep that’s all that matters!

[@Built2Wander]

@@Rommer2258I don’t disagree at all!

[@Capricorn2500]

Awesome looking Jeep great job 🤙🏻

[@Built2Wander]

Thank you!! 👊🏻

[@jasonlovell3934]

Be interesting to compare the weight of these axes to Dana 60/80 combo.

[@Built2Wander]

I’d be curious too. The fabricated axle housings are generally significantly lighter weight. The cast center sections of a Dana 60/80 add a lot of weight!

[@ElevatedVehicles]

About 30 percent lighter on average

[@v8felon]

Awesome video

[@Built2Wander]

Thank you!! 🙏🏻

[@russelljordan1912]

Would love to do that to my 21 392 got to save my Pennie’s first

[@Built2Wander]

Let me know if you have any questions when you start planning it out!

[@russelljordan1912]

I’m sure your the one that has my answers to my questions main question cost

[@michaelmccann8624]

When you went 38” before, did you go 12.5 or 13.5 wide and what lift size did you use? Thanks & awesome build!!

[@Built2Wander]

The 38s were 12.50” wide. I prefer that width for anything under 40” tall. On that build we used a 4” lift from RockJock 4x4. 👊🏻

[@michaelmccann8624]

@@Built2Wander thank you!!

[@maninz889]

Nice build! Are those 42 on r20 or r17?

[@rjensen6368]

Nice build! What color is on the back of your jeep?

[@Built2Wander]

Thank you! It’s bronze chrome in the rear.

[@benbastle]

How many inches of lift from your springs?

[@Built2Wander]

4.5”

[@daviddiaz3858]

Did you delete the 392 exhaust system?

[@Built2Wander]

We sure did. We were forced to with the MotoBilt double triangulated rear suspension and having the MotoBilt fuel tank behind the rear axle

[@1seanhealey1]

Badass!

[@Built2Wander]

Thanks Sean!! Merry Christmas 😃

[@hossbronco]

What’s your WMS axle width?

[@Built2Wander]

We are 74” WMS in the front and 72” WMS in the rear. We needed a little extra width up front to clear the suspension and frame at full bump and lock to lock steering. With the rear being slightly less wide, the vehicle should track better in the rocks as well.

[@jrod4538]

Great Job 👍👍🤙

[@Built2Wander]

Thank you!!