Ah, is there ever too much ground clearance when you’re off road? Of course, it’s nice to maintain some on-road driving manners too. Portal axles are a great (expensive) solution to the quest for clearance.
Advantages:
- Increased Ground Clearance: Portal axles provide greater ground clearance due to their design. The wheels are situated lower down the axle, while the differential is situated higher up, allowing the vehicle to clear larger obstacles without getting stuck.
- Improved Off-Road Capability: Portal axles allow for greater articulation and a better approach angle, which makes it easier to tackle steep hills, uneven terrain, and other off-road obstacles.
- Increased Strength: Portal axles can handle more weight and torque than conventional axles, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications such as military vehicles, off-road race trucks, and heavy-duty commercial trucks.
- Better Gear Reduction: Portal axles have a high gear reduction ratio, which provides better torque and allows the vehicle to crawl at low speeds without stalling.
Disadvantages:
- Increased Cost: Portal axles are more expensive than conventional axles due to their complex design, which requires additional parts and manufacturing processes.
- Added Weight: Portal axles are heavier than conventional axles, which can reduce the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and performance.
- Increased Maintenance: Portal axles require more maintenance than conventional axles due to their more complex design, which can increase repair costs over time.
- Reduced On-Road Performance: Portal axles can reduce the vehicle’s on-road performance, as they can decrease the vehicle’s stability and increase body roll, especially at higher speeds.
I don’t know where this picture originates, but the setup looks similar to the LeTech setup fo the Mercedes G-class. Further information apreciated!