Portal Build vs. Traditional Build: The True Cost

Portal axles carry a steep price tag up front. Our kits - which include all four portals and everything needed for installation - start at $15,000. That number can feel intimidating, but when compared against the cost of a traditional rock crawler or overlanding build, the portal price becomes much more palatable.

For this comparison, we’ll look specifically at drivetrain costs, ignoring items like bumpers or sliders, since they aren’t relevant to the axle and suspension debate.

Jeep Extreme Build

Goal: Run 40-inch tires and tackle Johnson Valley trails (Level 9+).

In a traditional build, the path is clear - aftermarket Dana 60s paired with a long-arm lift. These axles are legendary for durability but come with major cost and weight penalties.

Cost

• Traditional Extreme Build: Parts alone total about $26,000, with $17,000 just for axles. Even if you sourced junkyard Super Duty axles (~$10,000), you’d still be above the portal build cost.

• Portal Extreme Build: Around $16,150 in parts.

Once labor is factored in, the gap widens to ~$14,000. Traditional upgrades involve extensive shop hours, while portal axles can be installed in roughly 8 hours - meaning you could be back on the trails the same weekend.

Long-Term Flexibility

With a traditional build, most upgrades stay with the Jeep when you sell it, forcing you to reinvest in the next rig. Portals, however, can be transferred to a new build with relatively little effort or cost.

Conclusion

• Weight: Traditional build adds 400–800 lbs vs. ~200 lbs for portals.

• Diff Ground Clearance: Traditional ~12 in vs. Portal ~17 in (an extra inch from smaller stock pumpkins).

• Performance: Both widen track width and raise center of gravity, but portals deliver more clearance where it matters most.

Bottom line: The portal build costs less, offers comparable (if not better) off-road performance, and installs faster.

Jeep Mild Build

Goal: Run 37-inch tires and regularly tackle trails like the Rubicon (Level 7–8).

A traditional mild build requires several upgrades that portals replace outright.

Cost

• Traditional Mild Build: Cheaper on parts, but still heavy on labor.

• Portal Mild Build: Roughly $6,000 more in parts. With shop labor included, the difference narrows to ~$2,800.

Exact totals vary depending on lift kit and component choices, but this represents a mid-level build comparison.

Long-Term Flexibility

Same as the extreme case: traditional upgrades stay behind with your Jeep, while portals can move to your next build.

Conclusion

• Ground Clearance: Traditional ~10 in vs. Portal ~14 in.

• Install Time: Traditional builds can stretch into weeks or months depending on shop backlog or DIY time. Portal builds can be completed in a weekend.

Bottom line: Portals cost more upfront but deliver significantly better clearance, faster installs, and easier transferability to future builds.