Yukon blog
Yukon At SEMA 2021
As the industry spools back up to fever pitch we are happy to back at the SEMA Show in force. We’ve spent the week in Sin City reconnecting with customers, inviting new friends to ‘Run With The Bear,’ and promoting the off-road lifestyle any way we can. Click the link below to experience the SEMA Show yourself through interviews with industry insiders conducted by TV personality Ian Johnson. View Our SEMA Coverage
Yukon Adventure Trek 2021
In January, a conversation with John Herrick from CRAWL Magazine started us thinking about a multi-day trail run to build content for the magazine. We weren’t sure where or when, but knew this could be fun. In February, the idea spread in the pits at King of the Hammers. Drivers were interested, and we knew we needed to get out on the trails as COVID-19 continued to hinder many events. By March, we had a group of motivated drivers and it was time to pull the trigger and establish dates and locations. Yukon Gear & Axle’s headquarters are in Everett, Washington, just north of Seattle. The trail system in the Pacific Northwest is ripe for adventure, and only two of the groups chosen to ride had been here before. John Herrick knew respected wheelers in the Mount Rainier area who had run the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route. Although originally developed for motorcycles, there was enough room for four-wheelers, and the idea had legs. We decided to go June 22 to 25 and run three stages of the route. With participants from Tennessee, Los Angeles, Park City, Reno, and the Seattle area, the Yukon Adventure Trek was on. Thank you to Mickey Thompson Tires The Cast of Players When the word got out, our friends from Mickey Thompson Tires asked if they could join us as the new Baja Boss A/T tires were rolling out. This became a great proving-ground run, and all participants were provided a set. John Herrick – CRAWL Magazine Ian Johnson – Big Tire Garage John Matthews – Auburn Car Repair & Off Road Nic Ashby – Rockstar Garage Andrew McLaughlin – Letz Roll Offroad Dustin Sexton – Sexton Offroad Yukon Gear & Axle team Day One: The Roll-In Day one started in Packwood, Washington, a small outdoor community in the Mount Rainier National Forest. Getting there is half the fun, and participants traveled from across the country to make it happen. Packwood, Washington, the first leg of the Yukon Adventure Trek No good story is complete without a little drama. Despite lodging challenges, the group made the most of the night, sharing food, stories, and preparing for the days ahead. Day Two: Packwood to Ellensburg The day began with fresh baked goods and a strategy meeting. The route covered 122 miles, climbing to 6,200 feet with incredible views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams. Despite a flat tire and a shock issue, the group reached Ellensburg with teamwork and resourcefulness. The start of the Yukon Adventure Trek Thanks to quick repairs and local support, everyone was ready for day three. Day Three: Ellensburg to Cashmere Ian Johnson admiring Table Mountain and Lion Rock Lookout This shorter day featured high elevations, narrow ridgelines, and breathtaking views of the Central Cascade Mountains. Lunch at Beehive Reservoir offered wildlife sightings and a refreshing break. #elmo feeling the heat Despite rising temperatures and minor mechanical challenges, the group rolled into Cashmere and later enjoyed the Bavarian charm of Leavenworth. Day Four: Cashmere to Wapato (Lake Chelan) Chumstick Peak after wildfire damage The climb to Chumstick Peak revealed a dramatic landscape shaped by wildfire. After team photos and a long descent, the group continued toward Chelan Ridge. Exploring Chelan Ridge The descent toward Lake Chelan was challenging but rewarding. Popsicles from the Dometic cooler were a welcome treat before heading to Wapato. The final night featured a catered meal, lake time, and stories shared among friends at a rented home on Lake Chelan. Day Five: Roll Out The final morning marked departures for travelers heading back across the country. Conversations had already turned toward planning the next Yukon Adventure Trek. Rolling into Chelan, what a fun trip Thanks again to Mickey Thompson Tires and Wheels, CRAWL Magazine, Sexton Offroad, Letz Roll Offroad, Auburn Car Repair & Off Road, Big Tire Garage, and Rockstar Performance Garage.
How It Works: The Pros and Cons of Spools & Mini Spools
Spools are all about getting full lockup on a budget… 100% lockup 100% of the time. There are two types of spools: full spools and mini spools. Each attains the same objective, ensuring both drive wheels on a given axle receive full torque and rotate at the same speed all the time. They create a solid axle. The Spool Compromise As with any drastic, all-in type of modification, there are compromises along the way. The spool is no different. Since the axles are locked there is no allowance for situations where the tires need to spin at a different speed… i.e. when the vehicle turns a corner. When this happens the tires chirp, sometimes aggressively, as they struggle to complete the turn. The rubber is the weak link. It’s what gives to allow the vehicle to maneuver. In doing so tires absorb a lot of abuse in the form of significant wear. One should also remember even when not pushed to the level of chirping, any imbalance in wheel speed is scrubbed off by the tires resulting in tire wear. Simply put, spools chew up tires. Another compromise is how the binding within the differential also produces undue stress on the axles themselves. In the long term, axles can be bent out of shape because of the torsional stress they are subjected to on the street. Changing Driving Dynamics There is a cause-and-effect scenario going on here. In most cases, running a spool will compromise the turning radius of the vehicle. Further, a spooled driveline can be unforgiving driving on wet or snowy roads as it lacks the finesse to handle conditions that call for the management of different wheel speeds to ensure vehicle stability and control. You can roam the online forums and the street-worthiness of a spool-equipped vehicle is a long-raging debate. Due to their unwieldy nature, we recommend spools as an outstanding choice for dedicated off-road and drag racing vehicles only. Full Spool A full spool replaces the carrier, spider, and side gears. The unit consists of a snout and a ring flange. The axles are installed in the snout, which is splined to accept the axle shafts. The spool’s ring flange bolts onto the ring gear. So, the ring and pinion do their job, redirecting torque 90 degrees from the driveshaft to the wheels, but the housing has lost its ability to differentiate wheel speeds between the wheels. Yukon and USA Standard Gear spools are made from high-quality 8620 steel and heat-treated for additional strength so your differential is ready for extreme action in the name of ultimate traction. Mini Spool A mini spool is less expensive than a full spool. Since it swaps in place of the spider gears and side gears, installation is easier, faster, and cheaper than a full spool. Though Yukon and USA Standard Gear mini spools are constructed from heat-treated 8620 alloy steel, they are not as stout as full spools because minis rely on the factory carrier for strength. Cost Versus Reward We see our spools as a safer option for those who are considering welding their gears together to get the same solid-axle traction. The big problem is that welding can be done poorly and fail—either by weak welds or too much heat, which compromises the grain structure of the steel, causing the gears to become brittle at the weld point and eventually break. When welded differentials let go they can take other components out, which negates any cost savings of welding. In our eyes, spools are only for dedicated off-road and drag racing vehicles. If the vehicle will see the street we urge customers to consider stepping up to a locker or limited slip differential. Cost Versus Capability You can opt for a Spartan Locker , a helical positraction LSD, or a locker. While each of these products represents a step up in streetability, they also embody a rise in cost. A full spool runs around $320 to $375. A Spartan Locker runs $400 to $500, provides full lockup, and is more civilized than a spool. Helical positraction limited slip differentials start at $600 and enhance street traction without full lockup. Yukon’s Grizzly Locker starts at about $780 and delivers 100% lockup with automatic unlocking when needed. Of course, pricing is application-dependent, but for very little extra investment you can get a Spartan Locker or helical LSD. In many cases, you will save money in the long run by not shredding tires. If you run expensive big tires like 35-, 37-, or 40-inch sizes, the savings can be substantial. Spools do what they’re intended to do and we build ours with quality materials and top-notch craftsmanship. But these products are narrowly focused on dedicated purpose-built vehicles that aren’t expected to be driven on the street or even make a 90-degree turn. Seriously consider your vehicle’s usage expectations and look beyond the initial cost—moving up to a more versatile, driver-friendly traction device can be the best call for your wallet and your nerves. Shop Spools
Yukon Gear & Axle Dana 30 Performance Options
The Dana 30 differential has been pulling the front of Jeeps around since the CJ-5s of the early 1970s. Available in high- and low-pinion versions as well as standard and reverse rotation versions, the Dana 30 can be found in Wranglers, Cherokees, Grand Cherokees, and Comanche MJs to name a few. They are also in early Ford Broncos and various AMC applications. Too often the capabilities of this mighty-mite diff are overlooked and enthusiasts swap them out. But the D30 has a huge aftermarket behind it and there are plenty of spares waiting for rescue in junkyards across the country… the D30 is begging to be built! Thrive Don’t Just Survive If you’re rolling a Dana 30 why not take advantage of its extensive modification potential? It’s a great landing spot for drop-in lockersockers like our Spartan Locker, large-frame lockers like our Yukon Zip and Grizzly units, and positraction limited slip differentials like our Spartan Helical LSD. Spartan Locker Spartan Locker The Spartan Locker is known as a drop-in or lunchbox locker. This product is not a single unit that is swapped into your pumpkin, it is a collection of components that transform an open differential carrier into a locker. Typically, a Spartan Locker consist of a pair of drivers, two side couplers, four alignment pins, four pre-load springs, a hardened cross-pin shaft, a roll pin, and installation wires. Yukon Grizzly Locker and Yukon Zip Locker Large-frame lockers, like the Yukon Grizzly and Zip, replace the carrier as a single unit and their case is constructed from a muchstronger alloy steel compared to the factory carrier. The main difference between these units is operational… the Zip Locker is an air locker that is operated by a pneumatic system and the Grizzly is a mechanical unit. Yukon Grizzly Locker Mechanical lockers like the Yukon Grizzly Locker, sometimes referred to as automatic lockers, are always engaged. During normal mild-throttle situations where load is applied to the differential, the unit is locked. When the vehicle is turning, the locker produces a clicking sound as the square-cut side gears move over and past one another. This ratcheting sound can be loud and is why mechanical units may not be best suited for vehicles that spend a lot of time on the street… it all depends on how sensitive your ears are. The air-operated Yukon Zip Locker behaves like an open differential until it’s turned on by the driver. When activated, a locking collar slides forward and locks the gears together, transferring equal amounts of traction to both tires. The air locker’s on-off selectability makes them ideal for street-driven vehicles. USA Standard Gear Spartan Helical LSD The gear-type USA Standard Gear Spartan Helical LSD features floating helical-cut worm gears that operate in pockets and mesh together. Under normal driving conditions this type of LSD acts like an open diff. While under acceleration or when wheel slippage occurs, axial and radial thrust is applied to the helical gear pinions transferring more torque to the tire with the best traction progressively as torque is withheld from the tire that is slipping. The Spartan Helical LSD’s advanced 10-pinion design has a strength advantage over an equivalently sized 6-pinion or 8-pinion units because it has more points of contact and a greater surface contact area to deliver optimal load distribution. USA Standard Gear uses forged 8620 grade steel in the case and internals for superior durability. Yukon Re-Gear Kits You can also step up to the plate and upgrade your gears with one of our all-encompassing Yukon Re-Gear Kits. There are two key reasons to change the ring and pinion gears in your vehicle. The first is to regain the lost performance and fuel efficiency of a daily driven vehicle that has been upgraded with larger wheels and tires. The second is to optimize the performance of a rig that is a dedicated off-roader where low-end tenacity and low-speed acceleration are of more importance than operating efficiently at freeway speeds. Yukon’s convenient ring and pinion Re-Gear Kits bundle everything you need to upgrade both the front and rear differentials in one simple part number, saving you tons of time and hassle. These kits feature premium Yukon ring and pinion gears, Master Install Kits with high-quality Timken/Koyo bearings, and all the small parts you’ll need to get the swap done right. End Of The Trail The Dana 30 can be a primetime performer. The key is to know where your going with your truck… literally. Consider how much time it will spend on the street, how much time on the trail, and how intense your trail activity is going to be. Also factor in whether or not you’ll be upgrading to larger tires in the future. Then weigh the pros and cons of swapping your diff. Could be a properly prepped Dana 30 will get you where you need to go and save you money that can be invested elsewhere in your rig… chromoly axles, some bumper and body mods, or perhaps a bitchin’ Yukon Hardcore Diff Cover so it looks the part!. Happy Wheeling. contact us at 866-631-0196
Tools of the Trade: Yukon Driveline Tools
From Weekend Warriors to Master Builders Craftsmen worldwide know that no matter what you’re working on, it’s all about the tools. For the mechanic, having the right tools is the difference between a smooth, well-executed job and running around trying to find “something that works”—most likely a screwdriver or other blunt, ill-advised tool—just to get the vehicle off the lift. The difference between getting a job done and getting a job done right is the proper tools. Yukon knows differentials, and in our 40-plus years in the industry we have pioneered many specialty tools designed specifically for drivetrain work. From specialized bearing pullers to simple shim drivers, investing in the proper tools makes it easier when a vehicle pulls in with that elusive “vibration in the rear.” Tools are an investment that will build your business. Four Critical Steps for a Long-Lasting Differential Install the pinion gear using a high-quality pinion depth-setting tool. Set bearing preload with a specialized inch/pound torque wrench. Dial in backlash using specialized spanner tools. Set carrier bearing preload with proper shim drivers. Yukon has developed more than 80 different tools that streamline differential and drivetrain assembly. Here are some top sellers to consider: YT P20 / YT P22 Yukon Bearing Pulling Set YT P20 / YT P22 Yukon Bearing Pulling Set – These bearing pullers simplify bearing removal for those without a press. They feature different clamshell sizes for a clean, quick, and simple way to remove bearings without risk. YT SD-01 Shim Driver Set YT SD-01 Shim Driver Set – Designed for Ford, GM, Chrysler, and many other housings. These heavy-duty half-moon cradles replace screwdrivers, punches, and pry bars so you can set shims correctly without chipping or damage. YT BD Bearing Race Driver YT BD Bearing Race Driver – Yukon has developed more than 20 race drivers for different applications. They accurately drive races, ensure proper alignment, and are built to withstand the hammering required to correctly set bearings. YT A06 Side Adjuster Tool YT A06 Side Adjuster Tool – Reaching the recommended 150+ foot-pounds of adjuster torque is nearly impossible without the proper tool. While this tool serves a singular purpose, it’s exactly what’s needed to get the job done right. Yukon also offers bolt extractor kits, spanner tools, spindle boring cutters, and more to outfit shops that want to do the work and do it well. Tools are an investment that will build your business. Invest in the best—Yukon driveline tools. Shop Yukon Differential Tools