Turn Offroad Portals

[SierraBronco]

It is interesting to hear that the 10% turn gear reduction has no mpg penalties as I the math says you want 20%+ reduction with a 40" tire. A lot can be deducted from mileage on the dash vs strain on the drivetrain.

Biggest Con in my book is the long term serviceability and parts availability. Proprietary brake rotors, one off machined bearing parts and custom rear axles being available 4-5 years down the road. Currently I view portals as a bolt on item that will be thrown away after use. You might get lucky and get a rebuild down the road but ultimately they are going to be scrapped at some point.

we’ve already seen issues with proprietary parts with 74weld. Their portals break and take out the rear rotor-that’s $600 on you. One of the many people that had a broken upright was waiting on parts for months. And I never did hear the final verdict but they randomly decided they weren’t going to pay the shop for the works because they “used too much antiseize on the splines going into the gearbox.” Gotta use juusssstttt the right amount, it seems.

They’ll take good care of inflooencers and those broke in the middle of the trail during KOH, but your results may vary.

Certainly we can recognize getting parts isn’t limited to portal manufacturers, but you are adding a lot of (simple) complexity with portals and you’re really hoping they do what they say with spare parts

You actually want more reduction with bigger tires to offset the rotational mass more than the tire height. Math wise the extra reduction helps offset friction loss from the added gears, bearings and fluid losses. That extra 5% friction loss might need 7%-10% reduction to have a net zero effect.

Broncbozo also made a statement about having parts availability. Question becomes when the need arises if there is parts available. Remember one small defect can wipe out an entire parts supply. The other issue is the 74Weld rolling out several revisions, now you are looking at stock multiple hard parts to maintain older designs.

I like Cole but products like portals are a leap of faith.

The 11% (or whatever it is) reduction claiming it makes a drive like stock is absolutely silly to me. Taking one of the off-road benefits of portals and limiting it just to get the speedo to match with 38” tires. Wat? There’s a noticeable difference from 1.22 to 1.35 reduction, and it’s a positive thing. We aren’t driving with three speed transmissions anymore where short gearing prevents the ability to run down the interstate. They should have maxed that reduction out and changed the tone rings to fix the speedo.

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[userdude]

Looking at the jeep aftermarket axle market and the take rate. Locally I will see at least 1 axle swapped jeep a day if not more. If this carried over to the portal market the math is there. At least for 7-8 years as the older the rig gets the less someone is willing to put more than the vehicle cost into the vehicle.

But you hit the nail on the head, at some point the market dies for portals. Look how many set of 4WP coilovers are still flooding the market.

I probably should've added more context and discussion. It's not directly applicable, but indirectly makes a point of "you don't know what you don't know", or, "you don't know what you're not looking for or willing to see".

As you point out, there's a horizon on these expensive, boutique items. In the clothing business, I remember Damen stating that successful clothing companies weren't in the style business, they were in the inventory management business. Look at Shein and H&M and their ilk: Just-in-time below market delivered to your door "fast fashion" that doesn't last and you're back at the trough, buying more, but we have no stock (warehouses) beeyotches!! How do they do it? Don't ask, just grant me stock in the company.

What is the parallel idea in off road merchandising? We already know there's a lot of fly-by-nites and companies that get big and collapse suddenly. How DO you make money in off roading (in year 10)?

 

[SierraBronco]

Portal owners in five years-

“you don’t need bigger tires! Look at all that clearance without them! And we’re back to the ultimate version of stock with the walking mullet. Nothing is more natural than walking”

 

[userdude]

Portal owners in five years-

“you don’t need bigger tires! Look at all that clearance without them! And we’re back to the ultimate version of stock with the walking mullet. Nothing is more natural than walking”

 

[Talon2006]

Portal owners in five years-

“you don’t need bigger tires! Look at all that clearance without them! And we’re back to the ultimate version of stock with the walking mullet. Nothing is more natural than walking”

I mean, i sent my bronco off to pasture with the same 35's it came with .

Just took the portals off before it went.

 

[Snacktime]

I mean, i sent my bronco off to pasture with the same 35's it came with .

Just took the portals off before it went.

I will start the bidding at a 12 pack of craft beer.

 

[zuke]

What is the parallel idea in off road merchandising? We already know there's a lot of fly-by-nites and companies that get big and collapse suddenly. How DO you make money in off roading (in year 10)?

You don't, You bulid your company up over five or six years to where it has a valuation of a few million, then you sell that company to First Brands (Well not them, they just went bankrupt!)

By year ten, you're getting ready to sell that second company, and your customers from the first company have no idea what happened to you...

I wish anyone making consumer portals good luck, but unless they diversify allot (Like it seems Turn is doing) the chances of survival are pretty slim.

 

[SierraBronco]

I mean, i sent my bronco off to pasture with the same 35's it came with .

Just took the portals off before it went.

I did the same. Then took the portals off and put them in the garage. Guess I should see how many beers I can get for them at some point.

 

[Snacktime]

I did the same. Then took the portals off and put them in the garage. Guess I should see how many beers I can get for them at some point.

Two 40oz cobras for Edwards 40 hands next trail run.

 

[Talon2006]

I will start the bidding at a 12 pack of craft beer.

Tempting.... I do keep wondering what fun project I might use them for in the future.

I did the same. Then took the portals off and put them in the garage. Guess I should see how many beers I can get for them at some point.

But do you have the brake caliper bolts with them?

 

[SierraBronco]

Tempting.... I do keep wondering what fun project I might use them for in the future.



But do you have the brake caliper bolts with them?

Laughed out loud. Loudly.

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