74Weld Bronco Portals now available!

[userdude]

74Weld has finally released they're promised rec-level Bronco Portals. They are $20k for a set of four:

https://motorsports.74weld.com/product/4-gear-bronco-portal/

Anyone here planning on getting these?

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[userdude]

I for one want them, although they're what 5-10x as expensive as a "normal" lift of similar height? However, once I understood what they are and the problems they solve (while not really introducing any outside of maintenance), if I want a lift, I want them to be 74Weld portals. In comparison, traditional lifts just seem like so many compromises in a fight for any real clearance at all.

It just depends whether I can up my game enough to really get use out them at a high cost.

Really like this first video for how they explain them, and the KOH video helps understand what they bring in terms of clearance.

 

[Arokcrwlr]

I want them as well. If my retirement plans come to fruition, I see them in my future. We shall see...

 

[Bmadda]

I told Quinn I am down for a set out of the 1st run of 10 that he's gonna do. Mine is #7 out of the 1st 10 sets, so he's not having any trouble getting interest!

 

[userdude]

I told Quinn I am down for a set out of the 1st run of 10 that he's gonna do. Mine is #7 out of the 1st 10 sets, so he's not having any trouble getting interest!

So jealous!

 

[Broncotrax]

I have done every tough trail in Moab and in the Colorado mountains that I want to do with the last three broncos, my current Broncos and my JKRU with only 3.5" of lift and 35" tires. Of course there are other trails that I will not do because I can do without body damage. If I wanted to do these other trails, I'd just take that $20k and invest in a rock buggy. Right now there is a pretty decent market for quality used buggies and my Bronco won't get beat up. Spend the $20k in better used places.

 

[userdude]

I have done every tough trail in Moab and in the Colorado mountains that I want to do with the last three broncos, my current Broncos and my JKRU with only 3.5" of lift and 35" tires. Of course there are other trails that I will not do because I can do without body damage. If I wanted to do these other trails, I'd just take that $20k and invest in a rock buggy. Right now there is a pretty decent market for quality used buggies and my Bronco won't get beat up. Spend the $20k in better used places.

Yeah, the major caveat of course is "if I want a lift". I may not! On the other hand, if I don't work towards saving to get them, definitely never be possible. I think there is a logic to them being the best non-OEM lift coupled with the illogic of the price/bang-per-buck. There's also the "does it fit in my garage", and a buggy + trailer also kinda fails that test. (The 3.8" or 3.5" barely fits in the just shy 5" space I have for my Bronco.)

The business world has the cost benefit analysis, I think it's tough to make any case for casual wheeling but damn they're sexy.

 

[Broncotrax]

Yeah, the major caveat of course is "if I want a lift". I may not! On the other hand, if I don't work towards saving to get them, definitely never be possible. I think there is a logic to them being the best non-OEM lift coupled with the illogic of the price/bang-per-buck. There's also the "does it fit in my garage", and a buggy + trailer also kinda fails that test. (The 3.8" or 3.5" barely fits in the just shy 5" space I have for my Bronco.)

The business world has the cost benefit analysis, I think it's tough to make any case for casual wheeling but damn they're sexy.

100% agreed.

 

[Bmadda]

So jealous!

Part of the reason I am doing this is as an experience builder. I can justify some of the cost that way, but while we are discussing cost...lets take a quick look at what a portal actually gives you...lift+regear. I had been planning on going w/the ultimate Dana stuff in 5.38...but my order never got built so I cancelled. That package was going to cost me $15k, and add zero lift...for $20k I am all set to run 40-42. It's a tough pill to swallow all at once, but if you have built rigs like that, it's more "buy once-cry once". Sure a dedicated off road rig would be cheaper...but I bought my Bronco SPECIFICALLY to NOT create a trailer queen. I want a streetable offroader. Not everybody will see the value that way...but I do! Plus it's a technology I have always wanted to dabble with, but I'm hesitant to get involved w/European companies that will bail on you as soon as there are problems. I really want 74Weld to succeed with this project so we can have an American company to support, and count on!

 

[Bronc-Itus]

Part of the reason I am doing this is as an experience builder. I can justify some of the cost that way, but while we are discussing cost...lets take a quick look at what a portal actually gives you...lift+regear. I had been planning on going w/the ultimate Dana stuff in 5.38...but my order never got built so I cancelled. That package was going to cost me $15k, and add zero lift...for $20k I am all set to run 40-42. It's a tough pill to swallow all at once, but if you have built rigs like that, it's more "buy once-cry once". Sure a dedicated off road rig would be cheaper...but I bought my Bronco SPECIFICALLY to NOT create a trailer queen. I want a streetable offroader. Not everybody will see the value that way...but I do! Plus it's a technology I have always wanted to dabble with, but I'm hesitant to get involved w/European companies that will bail on you as soon as there are problems. I really want 74Weld to succeed with this project so we can have an American company to support, and count on!

 

[userdude]

Part of the reason I am doing this is as an experience builder. I can justify some of the cost that way, but while we are discussing cost...lets take a quick look at what a portal actually gives you...lift+regear. I had been planning on going w/the ultimate Dana stuff in 5.38...but my order never got built so I cancelled. That package was going to cost me $15k, and add zero lift...for $20k I am all set to run 40-42. It's a tough pill to swallow all at once, but if you have built rigs like that, it's more "buy once-cry once". Sure a dedicated off road rig would be cheaper...but I bought my Bronco SPECIFICALLY to NOT create a trailer queen. I want a streetable offroader. Not everybody will see the value that way...but I do! Plus it's a technology I have always wanted to dabble with, but I'm hesitant to get involved w/European companies that will bail on you as soon as there are problems. I really want 74Weld to succeed with this project so we can have an American company to support, and count on!

Right! I mean, a Raptor costs realistically $40-60k more than my measly 2dr 2.3 BadSquatch, but in all honesty it only gets me HOSS 3.0 that I want more than what I have now. Otherwise, it's a GD engineering project in geometry. At least if I think of it that way, it's a savings. And I don't really have any desire right now to have a second rig/trailer. I'd rather just get there and get going, which is a great point.

And thinking about it, we hear all the time folks saying "I saw an '89 Caprice doing all the trails on Moab/Alpine Loop etc. etc., so sure, you don't even need crutches like lockers or skid plates!" If you're careful! If you (really) know what you're doing! If you got good spotters! If you're lucky! What I'd appreciate about a lift is my approach to off roading can be more bold but I'm not jacking the geometry trying to engineer 1" of clearance. Or spending a fortune anyways only to have nobody want to work on it.

Different strokes and all that. If I can afford it and I want a lift, I'm getting portals. Neither of those are a given but that's where the trend lies.

 

[BAUS67]

Been a fan of 74Weld and the whole portal thing for years now. Big Ultra4 fan here. Was absolutely pumped when I saw Quinn come out with a "street" version of the 4600 race portal. Like @Bmadda said it's a lift and gear change all in one. 15K for HD axles w/ lower gears and 6K for a lift, the portals are right there price wise so of course I Want them, I just don't have the funds right now.


As a side note>>>>>>> We are about to get schooled (8pm est) on portals.

 

[Lcubed]

definitely on my wishlist for next year unless my wife's car needs replacement

just too much to swallow this year since we received the bronco just a few weeks ago

 

[Bmadda]

And thinking about it, we hear all the time folks saying "I saw an '89 Caprice doing all the trails on Moab/Alpine Loop etc. etc., so sure, you don't even need crutches like lockers or skid plates!" If you're careful! If you (really) know what you're doing! If you got good spotters! If you're lucky!

See ya at Moab next spring! Will be looking for the old squad car! Make it a crown vic tho, for the Ford guys!

 

[Lcubed]

See ya at Moab next spring! Will be looking for the old squad car! Make it a crown vic tho, for the Ford guys!

will be looking for a crown vic on portals!

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