Modular and adjustable axle systems for vehicles

An axle system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a fixed axle housing system, the fixed axle housing system comprising
• a central differential housing comprising a substantially cylindrical configuration having a substantially circular cross-section,
• first and second retainers attached to opposite sides of the central differential housing,
• first and second bell housings attached to opposite sides of the central differential housing via the first and second retainers, wherein each of the first and second bell housings comprises a mounting flange configured to attach the bell housing to the first or second retainer, wherein the mounting flange comprises a plurality of slotted apertures configured to allow for rotational adjustment between the bell housing and the first or second retainer,
• first and second axle tube housings having proximal ends attached respectively to the first and second bell housings, and
• first and second inner steering knuckles attached respectively to distal ends of the first and second axle tube housings;
• and
• a drivetrain system disposed within the fixed axle housing system, the drivetrain system comprising
• a differential disposed within the central differential housing,
• first and second inner CV joints having proximal ends attached to opposite sides of the differential and disposed within the first and second bell housings via the first and second retainers, and wherein the first and second retainers are configured to mechanically isolate the first and second inner CV joints from the differential,
• first and second axle shafts having proximal ends attached respectively to distal ends of the first and second inner CV joints and disposed within the first and second axle tube housings, and
• first and second outer CV joints having proximal ends attached respectively to distal ends of the first and second axle shafts.

An axle system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a fixed axle housing system, comprising a central differential housing having from each of two opposing sides of the central differential housing:
• a bell housing attached to the central differential housing via a retainer utilizing a mounting flange comprising a plurality of slotted apertures configured to allow for rotational adjustment between the bell housing and the retainer, the bell housing configured to encompass an inner CV joint and an end of an axle shaft attached to the inner CV joint, and to define a fixed drop angle corresponding to a non-zero angle from horizontal through which an axle shaft is directed from the central differential housing,
• an axle tube housing fixedly attached to the bell housing according to the non-zero angle from horizontal,
• a steering knuckle attached to the axle tube housing and configured to allow for pivotal movement of a wheel spindle with respect to the axle tube housing;
• and
• a drivetrain system, comprising a differential positioned within the central differential housing and having from each of two opposing sides of the differential:
• the inner CV joint attached to the differential and disposed within the bell housing,
• an axle shaft attached to the inner CV joint and disposed within the axle tube housing according to the non-zero angle from horizontal, and
• an outer CV joint attached to the axle shaft and configured for attachment to the wheel spindle.

An axle system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a fixed axle housing system, the fixed axle housing system comprising
• a central differential housing,
• first and second bell housings attached to opposite sides of the central differential housing,
• first and second axle tube housings having proximal ends attached respectively to the first and second bell housings, and
• first and second inner steering knuckles attached respectively to distal ends of the first and second axle tube housings;
• and
• a drivetrain system disposed within the fixed axle housing system, the drivetrain system comprising
• a differential disposed within the central differential housing,
• first and second inner CV joints having proximal ends attached to opposite sides of the differential and disposed within the first and second bell housings,
• first and second axle shafts having proximal ends attached respectively to distal ends of the first and second inner CV joints and disposed within the first and second axle tube housings, wherein the first and second inner CV joints are rated to fail at a torque rating that is lower than a torque rating of the first and second axle shafts, respectively, such that the first and second inner CV joints are configured as mechanical fuses to protect the first and second axle shafts from excessive torque loads, and
• first and second outer CV joints having proximal ends attached respectively to distal ends of the first and second axle shafts.