randys blog
New ICON Products: '21-'23 RAM TRX Billet UCAs with Delta Joint Pro & Rear 2.5 Hydraulic Bumpstop Kit
The RAM TRX is an amazing machine with highly capable suspension and drivetrain systems right from the factory, but ICON has identified a couple of areas where the vaunted TRX can benefit from improvement. ICON Billet Upper Control Arms provide on-vehicle adjustability to dial-in alignment for any lift or suspension modifications, along with the high-angle, serviceable, and rebuildable, patented Delta Joint Pro. And our Rear Hydraulic Bumpstop Kit helps smooth suspension bottoming under hard use. Together these components help TRX owners squeeze even more performance out of an already awesome truck! 21-23 RAM TRX BILLET UCA 218561DJ 21-23 RAM TRX BILLET UCA DJ PRO KIT KEY FEATURES: CNC machined 6061 billet aluminum construction with satin anodized finish Added degree of caster from stock uca Quick, precise, on-vehicle adjustment for both caster and camber Delta Joint PRO allows maximum articulation without binding Delta Joint PRO is 100% serviceable and rebuildable FK Rod Ends at chassis pivots for strength and precision driving characteristics Built in O-ring sealed dust cover cap TECH INFO: Fits RAM TRX only (does not fit other RAM models) SHOP NOW 21-23 RAM HYDRAULIC BUMPSTOP KIT 211020 21-23 RAM TRX REAR 2.5" BUMP STOP KIT 2.25" TRAVEL KEY FEATURES: 100% bolt-on 2.5 diameter bump stop design 2.5" impact-extruded body hard anodized Heavy duty 1.625" shaft replaceable noise-reducing striker pad IFP design 6061 billet aluminum components Velocity-sensitive technology exponentially increases bottom-out resistance Vehicle-specific bump stop tune provides smooth engagement and excellent ride quality TECH INFO: Fits RAM TRX only (does not fit other RAM models) Call us for more info: 1-800-347-1188
New ICON Products: IVD Leveling Kits for 2023 GMC Canyon & Chevy Colorado Pickups
The ICON 2" Lift Front Coilover Spacer Kits for 2023 Canyon & Colorado are designed to provide lift while ensuring that there is no ball joint over-extension or bind that can cause damage to ball joints. CNC machined 6061 billet aluminum construction and a black anodized finish mean this product can stand up to the test of time in the harshest on and off-road conditions. Backed by ICON’s limited lifetime warranty, the ICON Vehicle Dynamics 2" Lift Front Coilover Spacer Kit is the best leveling solution on the market for the 2023 Canyon or Colorado. IVD1216 23-24 GM CANYON/COLORADO 2" FRONT SPACER KIT IVD1215 23-24 CHEVROLET COLORADO 2" FRONT SPACER KIT KEY FEATURES: Increased ride height over stock (2” lift front) Increased ground clearance Vehicle specific design Designed to prevent ball joint over-extension or bind CNC machined 6061 aluminum components. Black anodized finish for excellent corrosion resistance TECH INFO 158 IVD1216 ONLY FITS "ULTRA WIDE STANCE" VEHICLES 160 IVD1215 WILL NOT FIT GMC CANYON. WILL NOT FIT CHEVROLET COLORADO TRAIL BOSS OR ZR2. CALL FOR MORE INFO: 1-800-347-1188
Introducing Zumbrota Performance Axles
A REVOLUTIONARY ADDITION TO THE PERFORMANCE AXLE CATEGORY Zumbrota’s ZPA axle line now offers aftermarket gear ratios, a variety of traction options, and nodular iron performance differential covers depending on application. Shop over 180 applications When your lifestyle includes the needs for stronger traction, higher speeds, and heavier towing capabilities, Zumbrota Performance Axles check the box. OE replacement is fine until bigger tires, higher horsepower, a boat or trailer require a higher caliber of strength to your drivetrain. This is where aftermarket ratios, limited slip differentials, lockers, and high-quality nodular iron differential covers are needed to fit the way you drive. When choosing the best products in performance upgrades, Yukon Gear & Axle products were chosen for the engineering quality and reputation to take on the heaviest in performance and reliability. Front Axle Assembly, Chrysler 9.25, '13 Ram 2500, 4.3 Ratio, Open RAA434-1969X3 Rear Axle Assembly, Dana 44, '07-'15 Jeep Wrangler (Except Rubicon), 5.13 Ratio, Duragrip RAA435-147X3-P Rear Axle Assembly, Dana 80, '08-'16 Ford F350, 4.88 Ratio, Duragrip RAA435-161X2-P ZPA Provides Remanufactured Solutions Designed for Vehicle Performance and Reliability. Shop Now Or Contact RANDYS to Order Today! (866) 403-4840
The Sounds Of Death: A Failing Differential Story
Breaking a differential can be a sudden, horrific event. If you’ve haunted the drag strip you’ve undoubtedly seen the loud, fully cammed hot rod drop the clutch then drop a load of gears and metal on the track. Out on the trail, a struggling rig finally hooks up and the sudden torque is too much for the diff, grenading the unit to its ultimate demise. A differential can also die slowly and alert you to its impending doom. A vehicle in motion makes many different sounds, most are relaying a harmonious state of being. But there can be tremors in The Force. As things start going sideways in a differential there are noises that serve as clues to what’s happening and knowing the what the noises mean will help you determine what may be wrong. To this end, we are offering this rundown of common noises and their likely point of origin. The Sounds Of Death A “whirring” sound generated by unloading via deceleration from most any regular road speed can likely be traced to pinion bearing failure or poor pinion bearing preload. This malady is often diagnosed as a bad ring and pinion gear. Generating a “whine” or “howling” sound under positive load i.e. acceleration is more in line with a worn or failing ring and pinion gear or a ring and pinion gear set that has not been setup correctly. If you detect a “rumbling” sound at speeds above 20 mph that tends to change frequency while the vehicle is turning it may be caused by worn carrier bearings. But it could also be bad wheel bearings. To confirm, jack up the vehicle at the offending corner and shake the tire. If there is a lot of play in the wheel/tire, the wheel bearing is most likely the culprit. [At Left: Here’s a real screamer. Crush sleeve or pinion bearing failure resulted in the pinion gear trying to eat the carrier.] A regular rhythmic “clunking” or “clicking” detected every few feet may be a broken tooth on your ring or pinion gear. If you have recently swapped on new rolling stock, check the inside of the wheel for an exposed clip-on external wheel weight that may be hitting the shock body on every revolution. A more aggressing “clunking” that borders on “banging” that happens when cornering may be caused by broken spider gears, poorly lubricated limited slip differential or positraction units, or worn clutch packs in limited slip differential or positraction units. Basic Ground Rules In this process hearing the sound is easy enough… it’s tracing the source that gets tricky. The big challenge is discerning a failing bearing within the diff to a wheel bearing that is going south. The sound is similar. One of the determining factors is the fact that the wheel bearing noise will change with wheel speed but usually will not change with load variations i.e. acceleration or deceleration but the sound from a wounded rear differential will change with wheel speed and load. Listen with Your Eyes Leaks are warning signs too. They can be precursors to trouble or the result of trouble. While some fluid under the vehicle can be part of condensation from normal operation, noticing reddish drips can be a sign of leaking transmission fluid. A compromised seal or gasket steals away vital lubrication resulting in dry, overheated internals and impending failure. The bottom line here is any noise emanating from your drivetrain, whether you can locate its root source on not, is serious business. Tracking down the cause is critical to prevent more serious damage and more expensive repairs. For more insight into the Sounds of Death, check out the accompanying Identifying Ring and Pinion Gear Noise video.
Choosing The Right Gear Ratio - Video
There are three main reasons to re-gear your ride. The first is to recapture the lost drivability and fuel efficiency of a daily driven vehicle that has been upgraded with larger wheels and tires. The second is to fine-tune the performance characteristics of a vehicle that is a dedicated off-roader, tow rig, or drag racer where the focus is more on low-end grunt and acceleration. The third is to improve fuel efficiency. The accompanying video outlines the reasoning and considerations that should go into finding the right gear ratio for your ride. Shop Re-Gear Kits