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  • AAM Announces New Axle Components for 2014 GM Trucks and SUVs

    AAM Announces New Axle Components for 2014 GM Trucks and SUVs

    Detroit – August 18, 2015 – American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), a leading manufacturer of axle components, driveshaft components and repair kits for OE vehicles, has announced the availability of new rear axle components for several 2014 GM trucks and SUVs.

    “AAM made some major changes to the rear axles for the 2014 GM Silverado and Sierra trucks, along with the Suburban and Tahoe SUVs,” said Greg Marsh, AAM engineering manager. “As a result, there is a new 9.5” and a new 9.75” ring and pinion gear set combination and new differential cases for each.”

    AAM’s new 9.5” ring and pinion gear kits are available in three different ratios, 3.08 ratio (AAM part #95K2308gearkit), 3.42 ratio (AAM part #95K2342gearkit), and 4.10 ratio (AAM part #95K2410gearkit).

    For the 9.75” rear axles, AAM’s new ring and pinion gear kits are available in three different ratios. They include the 3.23 ratio (AAM part#976K2323gearkit), the 3.42 ratio (AAM part#976K2342gearkit), and the 3.73 ratio (AAM part#976K2373gearkit).

    Due to the pinion gears having metric threads, AAM includes the pinion nut, collapsible spacer, and pinion seal packed with the gear sets. New ring gear bolts must be purchased separately (AAM part #40064367). Marsh points out the previous versions of the GM 9.5” products will not fit the 2014 models. The 8.6” rear axle in the 2014 SUVs does carry-over all the parts in previous models.

    AAM’s new differential cases for the 2014 GM trucks and SUVs are available in two sizes and will work for both the 9.5” and 9.75” gear sets. AAM part #40090727 is a differential case with internal gears for 3.23 and lower ratio gear sets, and AAM part #40090728 is a differential case with internal gears for 3.42 and higher gear ratio sets.

    In addition, AAM is making available axle shafts for the 2014 Sierra and Silverado (AAM part #40103091) and the 2014 Suburban and Tahoe (AAM part#40103092)., New pinion flanges, seals, cover pans and bearing kits will also be offered soon from AAM for these 2014 GM vehicles.

    Marsh also notes changes to the 2014 powertrain application information so technicians can identify the axle they are working on. The 8.6” axle is used with the 1500 series 4.3L V6 pickup (carry-over), the 9.5” axle is used with the 1500 series 5.3L V8 pickup and SUV, and the 9.76” axle is used with the 1500 series 6.2L V8 pickup and SUV. The 9.5” and 9.76” axles share the same 12 bolt cover plan. The 9.5” and 9.76” axle size is cast into the passenger side top portion of the carrier web.                         

    AAM parts are the same OEM production parts many shops have come to demand when installing replacement parts. AAM parts fit right, install right and perform right the first time. For more information and to find a local distributor, visitwww.demandaam.com, call 313-758-4176 or email info@aam.com.

    About AAM Aftermarket
    AAM Aftermarket provides its customers with high quality, reliability, durability and performance in every aftermarket part it sells. AAM designs, engineers, tests and validates components to meet the same exacting specifications as the parts that they replace. AAM Aftermarket offers a comprehensive line of aftermarket axle and driveshaft components that were originally built for OE vehicle manufacturers.

    About AAM
    AAM (NYSE: AXL) is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and metal-formed products for light trucks, sport utility vehicles, passenger cars and crossover vehicles and commercial vehicles. In addition to locations in the United States (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania), AAM also has offices or facilities in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, Scotland, South Korea, Sweden and Thailand. For more information on AAM, please visit www.aam.com.

  • Trail-Gear is now offering FJ80 Knuckle Rebuild Kits

    Trail-Gear is now offering FJ80 Knuckle Rebuild Kits

    The Trail-Gear FJ80 knuckle rebuild kit contains all of the replacement parts you need to service your steering knuckles including gaskets, felts, seals, spindle nut & washers, and shims. New spindle bushings, trunnion bearings, and steel outer felt covers are also included. The stamped steel outer felt covers are not found in other most other kits. If you’re using your FJ80 in the rocks you will want to replace these covers when you service the knuckles. The FJ80 Knuckle kit has all the parts you need to service both left and right knuckles. Available with or without wheel bearings.

    Available Options:

     FJ80 Knuckle Rebuild Kit, 303441-1-KIT, $72.45

     FJ80 Knuckle Rebuild Kit w/Wheel Bearings, 303749-1-KIT, $124.95

  • Trail Exploration at the 49th Annual All-4-Fun

    Trail Exploration at the 49th Annual All-4-Fun

    Jason & Mariah Kaminsky recently returned from their participation in the 49th Annual All-4-Fun event, hosted by the Mile High Jeep Club in Buena Vista, Colorado.  While Jason was busy competing at the WEROCK event in Goldendale earlier in the week, the couple managed to make it over to the event on Thursday to blow off a little steam.

    Jason & Mariah met up with a few friends from the Tucson Rough Riders and signed up for the Hancock Pass trail during Thursday night’s social hour.  Friday morning, everyone was ready to leave at the designated 8am start time and we headed off into the mountains!  For anyone who has never wheeled in this area; it’s an amazing mountain setting with 13,000 and 14,000 peaks all around.  Historic mining roads provide access to the many peaks, valleys, and high mountain lakes throughout the area.  Some of the more notorious trails in the area include Iron Chest, Carnage Canyon Boulder Trail, and the Holy Cross City Trail. (more…)

  • Shipman Wins 1st ULTRA4 Race in Sturgis

    Shipman Wins 1st ULTRA4 Race in Sturgis

    AUGUST 13th, 2015 – STURGIS, KY:  While ULTRA4 veteran Jason Shipman #4414 is no stranger to the podium, up until last weekend’s Sturgis Off Road Blowout a first place trophy had alluded him.  After a day of back-to-back racing action, in a short course format that included rocks, jumps and a narrow woods section,  Shipman emerged with his first ULTRA4 first place finish.  Clay Gilstrap #26 who was also on the podium last year in Kentucky took 2nd, and Sturgis’ own, Bill Baird #5252 claimed third after close battle throughout the race with Levi Shirley #81.

    More than 45 cars were in attendance representing the UTV Class, the 4500 Modified, the 4800 legends and the 4400 unlimited 4 wheel drive vehicles known as ULTRA4s. This was the 2nd race in the 4WD Hardware Eastern regional series. All classes qualified on Friday for their starting position in Saturday morning’s prelim races. The limited classes raced twice on Saturday in a prelim and a main event, and the 4400s raced a prelim, a semi- final and a main event. 21 cars took the green flag for the main event.

    Nitto National Championship points leader, Derek West#20 had been the man to beat all day. When the final race began, West jumped out to a quick lead with Shipman on his heels. Half way through the race, West experienced a mechanical failure that caused a roll in the narrow tree lined section of course, and Shipman was the first to emerge from the woods and maintained his lead throughout the remainder of the race with Gilstrap close on his heels.

    Sturgis saw some of the highest car counts to date for the limited classes in the 4WD Hardware Eastern Regional series..  Duane Garretson #26 took home the win in the 4500 modified class, with Lindsay Gilstrap #450, in 2nd, and Rob Matzell #4573 in 3rd. Interesting to note, the husband and wife team of Lindsay and Clay Gilstrap both took home 2nd place finishes in their respective classes.

    This was the first time that the 4800 legends class has raced west of the Mississippi.  Newcomer, Jeff Caudill #513 took home his first win in his first 4800 race followed by Robert  Daly #775 all the way from Silver Springs, NV, and another newcomer Richard White #4878 came in 3rd.

    Currently Derek West is leading for the Nitto National Championship in the 4400 class 120+ points ahead of Wayland Campbell #3, who is only 11 points ahead of Levi Shirley #81. ULTRA4 Rookie, Doug Jackson #61 has the lead for the 4WD Eastern Regional Series, and 2014 Nitto National Champion, Loren Healy #67 is leading the points for the Trail-Gear Western Regional series.

    HCR Racing sponsored a $1000 purse for the UTV Class, and 10 UTVs came out to race. Brian Strane #490 who also took home the win in Indiana lead most of the race followed by Paul Nagele #8 who also made the podium at Badlands. In 3rd place was local favorite and newcomer Tim Marshall #731.

    The next race in the Nitto National Championship is the final race in the Trail-Gear Western Regional series, the VORRA Fallon 250, August 28th and 29th in Fallon, NV. The final race in the 4WD Hardware Eastern Regional series is taking place in Arkansas at the Hot Springs ORV Park.  The final race in the series will be the Nitto National Championship taking place October 16th and 17th in Reno, NV.

  • Big Changes Coming to Best in the Desert in 2016

    Big Changes Coming to Best in the Desert in 2016

    unnamedFor the past five years, Best in the Desert has led off-road racing as the premier race series in the sport.  With entries growing each year, BITD has held strong to a six-race format with the addition of The Mint 400 in 2012.  However, their staples in the Parker 425, Silver State 300, Vegas to Reno, Blue Water Desert Challenge and Henderson 250 have gone relatively untouched in these years.

    Announced today by BITD Race Director, Casey Folks, in front of hundreds of media, sponsors and industry leaders, the 2016 Best in the Desert race schedule looks everything but standard.   Folks has spent years working to better not only Best in the Desert but the off-road racing community as a whole. Here’s a look at the new 2016 Best in the Desert Racing Association race schedule.   (more…)

  • MAMER MOTORSPORTS TAKES ON CARNAGE AT INAGURAL LOORRS BAJA RACE ROUNDS 11&12

    MAMER MOTORSPORTS TAKES ON CARNAGE AT INAGURAL LOORRS BAJA RACE ROUNDS 11&12

    Cole Mamer and his team were prepared as they could be as they went south of the American border and pulled into the new Lucas Oil Off Road Race Series course at Estero Beach. The new course was located just miles outside of Ensenada, Baja California.

    LOORRS added in the new race course to this season race schedule and as many teams were nervous about taking the series to a new stop, Mamer Motorsports was excited for the change of pace, new fans and a new course to race the #35 Mamer Motorsports Pro-Lite on.

    It wasn’t long before the trucks were on the course running down four practices just in one day. The course provided the drivers with nearly a mile long of door to door opportunities to attempt a pass. The key to this course was to stay out of the dust, keep clean through the turns and keep on the gas you went through the rhythm section.

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    When race day came Saturday, fans were lined at the gate waiting in anticipation to see a new form of off-road racing that hasn’t been to Baja since 2002. The thrill of meeting new drivers, seeing crews work on the trucks and witnessing first hand the carnage that can go into short course racing had the fans on their feet all day.

    The Pro-Lite race was the second race of the day and Mamer had to line up at the back of the stacked class after qualifying didn’t go his way. This didn’t stop Mamer though as that green flag dropped he immediately made 3 passes right out of turn one. When a wreck on the first lap brought out a full course yellow the trucks had to restart the race and Mamer had to go back to his original starting position.

    The 15 trucks took on the restart and once again Mamer went for multiple passes and pulled it off, this time passing 4 trucks on the restart lap. This was great momentum for Mamer as he let the race come to him.

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    A dusty course didn’t distract the driver as he battled with Creed looking to take over the 6th place position. The 10 lap race was ticking down and once Creed crashed it moved Mamer up to that 6th place. He was on the tail of DeBerti as they were coming through the rhythm section when he found himself and DeBerti both getting sideways and with a quick reaction Mamer steered out of the way as DeBerti was spinning through the air and wrecking.

    Even though Mamer managed to avoid a major accident, his truck didn’t make it out alive as he fell to the back of the pack with broken front end of the truck. Mamer pushed through the rest of the race with a limp truck in 10th, but still was able to salvage some points.

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    Mamer rounded out the weekend with a 9th place finish in round 12 and will be heading to Reno, NV for rounds 13&14 sitting 10th in points. Reno will provide the racers with many elevation changes, high speed sections and one last chance to really fight for a higher points standing before they head into the final stretch of the season.