Front Driveshaft Mitigation Plan

[Mr_Bacon_Jr]

My wife and I are headed out on a 6+ month on-and-off road expedition in the Grenadier I am picking up next week. Start in Santa Fe, NM, out through far west Texas, NOLA, Nashville, Northeast.

Truck is a 2024 Base, 11k miles, with Fox 2.5 reservoir shocks on it with what I think are Agile Off Road 1.25-1.75 springs. Fully loaded, I am estimating about 1200 lbs of passengers and gear. Truck has Fox Race Series steering stabilzer, Mickey Thomson 255/85R17s on steel wheels.

Given the issues with the front shaft, I think I am just going to treat it as a 10-12k miles maintenance item. Have both ends swapped out before we leave and carry a pair of Teraflex joints with us. Sometimes we will be near an INEOS dealer, sometimes not so much. I figure I'll ID good 4WD shops along the route in case I need a swap.

Does this seem reasonable to those with experience? Is there a master list compiled of shops that know the trucks? Early on in it's lifecycle I know, but given any lift seems to = no warranty for front driveshaft, I gotta think there are independents that have worked on them. I do most of my own wrenching at the house, and will have tools with me, but not keen on trying a swap myself in some parking lot, breaking a bolt and getting stranded.

Anything else I need to think through?

 

[pmatusov]

It is easier to carry a complete shaft.

 

[Mr_Bacon_Jr]

It is easier to carry a complete shaft.

Not a bad call, then I can just rebuild the failed shaft. Rinse and repeat.

Assuming that is a dealer-only item?

 

[SteveInNM]

You might want to order soon if it has to be shipped from the factory. I just got attachment bolts and a slip joint boot for the rear shaft, both of which were in the US and only took a few days. But I have a replacement seat belt for the one my dog ate that has been stuck in customs after shipping from Belgium. You should also sign up for the online service workbook which takes weeks or months to actually get. I finally sent an email to customerservice@ineosgrenadier.com with a copy of my New Mexico registration and got access within three weeks. The key on both driveshafts are the torque figures for the 8 pairs of bolts that connect the shaft to the pinion flange and transfer box. Tighten to 25nm and then an additional 40°. There are also several mentions in the front shaft thread about being careful removing and reinstalling the shaft at both ends simultaenously to keep stress off the CV boots.

 

[Dokatd]

My wife and I are headed out on a 6+ month on-and-off road expedition in the Grenadier I am picking up next week. Start in Santa Fe, NM, out through far west Texas, NOLA, Nashville, Northeast.

Truck is a 2024 Base, 11k miles, with Fox 2.5 reservoir shocks on it with what I think are Agile Off Road 1.25-1.75 springs. Fully loaded, I am estimating about 1200 lbs of passengers and gear. Truck has Fox Race Series steering stabilzer, Mickey Thomson 255/85R17s on steel wheels.

Given the issues with the front shaft, I think I am just going to treat it as a 10-12k miles maintenance item. Have both ends swapped out before we leave and carry a pair of Teraflex joints with us. Sometimes we will be near an INEOS dealer, sometimes not so much. I figure I'll ID good 4WD shops along the route in case I need a swap.

Does this seem reasonable to those with experience? Is there a master list compiled of shops that know the trucks? Early on in it's lifecycle I know, but given any lift seems to = no warranty for front driveshaft, I gotta think there are independents that have worked on them. I do most of my own wrenching at the house, and will have tools with me, but not keen on trying a swap myself in some parking lot, breaking a bolt and getting stranded.

Anything else I need to think through?

The diff side joint typically does not need replacement as it does not have the ability to get pinched and heat saturation is much lower. I have a similar setup and my joint fails almost on the dot every 7000mi. Your mileage may vary, but expect boot failure at the T-case every 7k or maybe less.

 

[pmatusov]

Not a bad call, then I can just rebuild the failed shaft. Rinse and repeat.

Assuming that is a dealer-only item?

Either brand new from the dealer ($1k), or used from somebody on the forum (and rebuilt or checked prior to the trip).
It is heavy, but only about 2x heavier than two spare Rzeppa joints in boxes.

 

[Tenac]

The diff side joint typically does not need replacement as it does not have the ability to get pinched and heat saturation is much lower. I have a similar setup and my joint fails almost on the dot every 7000mi. Your mileage may vary, but expect boot failure at the T-case every 7k or maybe less.

This actually makes me feel kinda good about my setup thus far. I'm lifted Kings 2" from about 1000miles give or take a bit. Just hit 12k still going strong. lol Just had dealer inspect the truck and will have them do it with oil change before heading to Moab this year. I also regularly drive above 80 in AZ, so if heat is a problem I will see it probably sooner than most.

 

[Dokatd]

This actually makes me feel kinda good about my setup thus far. I'm lifted Kings 2" from about 1000miles give or take a bit. Just hit 12k still going strong. lol Just had dealer inspect the truck and will have them do it with oil change before heading to Moab this year. I also regularly drive above 80 in AZ, so if heat is a problem I will see it probably sooner than most.

Don't Jinx it!!

If your caster is super low that might explain your extended mileage. I had mine set to max spec early on.

 

[Commodore]

Not a bad call, then I can just rebuild the failed shaft. Rinse and repeat.

Assuming that is a dealer-only item?

Take your truck to a good local driveshaft shop. The should be able to build you an exact replacement shaft to carry. It might or might not be less expensive then a factory shaft but they should be able to have it built in a day.

 

[Dokatd]

Take your truck to a good local driveshaft shop. The should be able to build you an exact replacement shaft to carry. It might or might not be less expensive then a factory shaft but they should be able to have it built in a day.

I'm really interested to hear about these "local shops" that can build Rzeppa shafts. This is a primary reason my drive shaft project was seriously delayed. I searched high and low for shops that could build and balance Rzeppa shafts. I even offered a couple to pay for all the tooling required but was declined.