by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 11/13/2017 at 15:54
by "HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
Published 11/13/2017 at 15:54
Tags: cruisin
STARS: 0
Musing the first. Took my cruiser into a shop with vibration analysis tools and they concluded that my vibration problem was likely due to bad engines mounts. I guess its been about 300,000 miles since they’ve been changed, they might be due. Its certainly cheaper than a T-case rebuild which was my next opinion. The good news is that labor is cheap and the parts aren’t too much. Hopefully this solves it so I can spend money on fun things instead like a new electrical sub panel, battery and solar. or bumpers, or seats....
Musing the 2nd. I need new tires. I have 285/75R16 right now (32.8 inch) and they’ve more or less worked for me very well. I am geared for 35's with the speedo reading accurate (reads fast now) and I have the lift, stops and driveline parts to put 35's on right now very little effort. The only hangups are:
1. cost - 35's are about $30 more a tire, so instead of $180/tire its like $210. That adds up.
2. Spare tire location. The main reason to do 35's would be to increase departure angle. Stock these trucks have a pathetic 22 degrees departure angle (short wheelbase and big booty)
More tire, minus a hitch I no longer need = much less butt dragging, of which I do a lot of in this truck.
The problem is that a 315/75R16 doesn’t fit inflated in the spare tire location, and if it does fit deflated is hangs down really low.
So instead of dragging hitch steel I would be dragging tire. Basically I lose a little departure angle.
Options are:
1. Let it hang down except for wheeling where it would either go inside or on the roof.
I don’t love this because it takes up a LOT of room inside and that sounds like a pain to me.
On the roof is 60 lbs I don’t really want to have up high. I need my roof for other things like traction boards, fuel, tools and solar.
2. Tire swing
This option is appealing except for a lot of reasons why its not, for one its crazy expensive...even a cheap swing is going to run me a grand, and a nice one 2. for another i really don’t want to have to swing out a tire, the open the top hatch, then the bottom hatch just to get in, thats annoying. Lastly in lengthens the truck and adds a lot of weight on the back meaning new rear coils to support it. I do like that I get better recovery points, better protection AND a hitch mount back but its a big investment.
Truthfully 33's have never been TOO much a liability for me, but im set to do 35's and they look great on 80's and im not imune to that.
Thoughts?
Lastly, and on the subject of tires...this
Super clean early 80 series on 245/70R16 tires. 29.5 inch tires. Weird. Stock size is 270/70r16 (31 inch). I guess it would be like re-gearing so you have a little more power, especially if you have the older 155 hp 3F, but if you need to get smaller tires to be able to stand driving it...maybe its not for you.
Its all relative of course, here is a 245/75R16 on an XJ
Also, I ran across a busy street to get that picture, and the owner came out right after I took them and was running back across the street. What a weirdo (me).
"VCeXpedition" (dan80n100)
11/13/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 1
Aah, the game of tire dominoes. If you’re not ready to do it right (probably tire swing makes the most sense) stick with 285's. They give you what you need (trail performance for how you wheel), but not what you desire (looks?, more performance? for what?).
I bought the green 80 series that had a very nicely made tire mount in the rear passenger area, but not only did it take up so much room, it also smelled like new tire for a long time.
You’ve gotten a few of the important things to do 35's, but not everything. And now you have to buy 5 tires to have a matching spare, or just use the original spare and hope you never have a flat far from a good tire shop.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
11/13/2017 at 16:09, STARS: 0
Mounting the tire inside seems like a bad idea with how much space you lose. Plus if you did have to swap in the field, you’d be putting a massive, filthy tire inside which doesn’t sound great. I would be unhappy knowing that switching to taller tires would reduce departure angle so the underbody mount would be out for me.
I’d do the swing arm. Do you think a local shop could weld up something simple for your needs? Is this something that would have to be on the truck at all times, or just when you’re going off on trips? Obviously different cases, but a simple A shape with a hub on top is in the works for me, and is easily removable via pins. (edit: my wheel/tire combo is only 30ish pounds though)
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 16:10, STARS: 0
I got some bump stop spacers from Tim, and I got new sway bar brackets. Not sure what I am missing for the conversion but yeah. 285 work fine, I only really want them for stuff like Lockhart or rose garden hill because Im dragging my butt all over the mountain...but...just getting rid of the hitch would solve that.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
11/13/2017 at 16:13, STARS: 0
295's?
Personally holding out for a rear bumper to have a good place to store fuel and water. I’m running 305/70r16's and am not a huge fan of this size. I’d rather a 285 or 295 and to be honest still drag the factory tire size in its stock location even with a receiver hitch.
"4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30" (4muddyfeet)
11/13/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 0
How tough is the bonnet? I’ve always liked either side mounted (not possible in your case) or bonnet mounted wheels. They’re mostly out of the way and easily accessible.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 16:15, STARS: 0
If I could find A/T skinnies in a 33.5/34 or so I would be pretty happy. Such a thing doesn’t exist.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
11/13/2017 at 16:17, STARS: 0
I’d happily run 255/85r16 as well
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 16:19, STARS: 0
There is this
https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/cooper-discoverer-st-maxx/p/19367
Which is kinda close. Skinnier for better under truck clearance and a little taller, with snowflake rating.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 16:20, STARS: 0
Not remotely strong enough. Its a long bonnet.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
11/13/2017 at 16:21, STARS: 0
I know a gent with a 4runner that use to have these. IIRC, it has been or is being discontinued in this size and is very hard to find.
"4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30" (4muddyfeet)
11/13/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 0
Fab up something for the front bumper or a brush guard? I can’t remember if you’ve got a winch or not, but the tugboat look would be kinda cool.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 16:30, STARS: 0
Thats a thought, the only problem with that is that the 80 has been shown to really not like non-laminar radiator flow. It gets hot easy without a smooth flow into the rad.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
11/13/2017 at 16:35, STARS: 1
Tire swing also means you can’t see out the back window anymore.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 16:36, STARS: 0
It means a lot of things I don’t like (noise, weight, length, cost, etc) but it does mean I can get a trasharoo for extra overland points.
"4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30" (4muddyfeet)
11/13/2017 at 16:42, STARS: 0
Hmmm. Rather than to the roof, could you strap it to the ceiling? Rivnuts through some of the roof frame, screw-in d-shackles, couple of ratchet straps...? I know it takes up the same amount of space, but it’s the least used space. And the thought of dropping at least a grand on something just to hold the spare... Ugh
"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
11/13/2017 at 16:45, STARS: 0
Not much help with the fat tyres - the last time I was involved in the Cruiser and Patrol class they were fitted with either 275/70R16 or 285/65R16 sizes. And because of the road conditions, fitting anything bigger or more expensive was a waste of money given the tyres would only last 30,000 to 40,000 km. The rig we are getting next year is still wearing 7.50R16 on split rims. I’m good with this.
As for tyre storage....lay the tyre down in the back under a false floor.
Mind you this thing is actually on gas struts...
I did much the same thing with my second spare when I had the Defender.
Less DIY and more expensive (but still less than $600) is a Hitchgate https://www.wilcooffroad.com/shop/hitchgate-solo/
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 16:46, STARS: 0
Hitchgate doesn’t do too much for me on account of the fact that I have to keep my hitch, which is what I am hitting now.
"Birddog" (maintmgt)
11/13/2017 at 16:51, STARS: 0
“On the roof is 60 lbs I don’t really want to have up high”
This x1000!
Once you get into 35s stowage options diminish rapidly. The rear swing is the lesser of evils at that point.
What’s the width of your stock wheels? I’m looking at a few tire options for the Sub and I’m just curious.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
11/13/2017 at 16:53, STARS: 1
OEM 80 series wheels are 16x8"
"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
11/13/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 0
Thought so. You definitely don’t want a fat tyre under the bum then either.
I was first on scene at a fatal 100 Series rollover some years back at a cattle grid where some thought that the spare tyre carrier contributed to the roll by contacting the ground after crossing the grid and sending the Cruiser off course. I pointed out that crossing a slightly elevated grid at 80 miles an hour or more was already asking for trouble. Suffice to say that the corner said it had nothing to do with the underbody spare wheel carrier. But it was and is well recognised that 80 and 105 series Cruiser spares are in a pretty ordinary spot...
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 16:59, STARS: 1
Starting to think its not worth it at all.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 17:04, STARS: 0
Even a local fab shop is going to cost me a grand. A new rear bumper will eventually be on my wish list, but not now.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
11/13/2017 at 17:13, STARS: 0
I had to google trasharoo to see what you’re talking about. Would Dude Wipes increase or reduce overland points? I can see arguments both for and against.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 17:24, STARS: 0
eww. Dude Wipes just sounds like something I don’t want to use and the use of the word “Dude” in product marketing is always a turn off. I mean, its just baby wipes without the “stigma” of using baby wipes, right?
"Birddog" (maintmgt)
11/13/2017 at 17:34, STARS: 0
Thanks!
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
11/13/2017 at 17:47, STARS: 0
I only know of them because I once randomly stumbled across them at the grocery store and assumed they were baby wipes with bro-riffic marketing. According to their website they are unscented, biodegradable, flushable, and not only that, but also “25% larger than other flushable butt wipes.” So there’s that.
But biodegradable, for not polluting while overlanding! Amirite?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 18:00, STARS: 0
But a bunch of garbage. They don’t biodegrade, and they aint flushable. Thats a lie that this industry has been getting away with for a LONG time.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
11/13/2017 at 18:09, STARS: 0
I don’t have kids so I don’t have much baby (or dude) wipe experience.
"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
11/13/2017 at 18:32, STARS: 0
1. Buy mig welder.
2. Make own tire swing
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/13/2017 at 19:01, STARS: 1
I mig welder I have. Time, talent or parts I do not
"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
11/13/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 0
I hear you. My projects end up being like Top Gear projects: ambitious, but a bit rubbish. I figure the only way I’ll get better is if I keep trying, though. :P
"adamftw" (adamftw)
11/14/2017 at 07:42, STARS: 0
Tire swings are the best and worth every penny. The 35" spare inside my XJ was ridiculous. I had a swing on my first XJ with 33s and never would have been able to do the long trips I did with it without the spare outside the truck.
Oh, and get 17" wheels and get 34x10.5 BFG AT K02s.
"Pistol Whipped Cream" (heynickhere)
11/14/2017 at 11:47, STARS: 0
I say stick with your 33's for now. A little butt dragging is inevitable. If I was you I would wait until you are ready to buy a bumper, get the swing out and step up to 35's.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/14/2017 at 11:48, STARS: 0
I’ve got some wife projects on the table for the welder (one of which is, actually, a table) so that should help both build up points and get me some practice. Then its roof rack time!
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/14/2017 at 11:49, STARS: 0
I think I will stick with 33's. I told myself I wouldn’t see the 80 until 300,000 at least, which is 7000 miles away. After that I am going to need to do some thinking. Kinda wanting a 200 just because.
"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
11/14/2017 at 20:26, STARS: 0
Any particular design in mind for the table? I ended up learning to weld to finish my table. Not pretty, but it went underneath and got painted black, so that helped. :P
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoYGbs0V-qwJhOly0Pmog0gO2eViyw
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoYGbs0V-qwJg-E_mPGhGouvW8G72g
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/14/2017 at 21:42, STARS: 1
That’s nice! My wife wants live edge. We found a place that supplies the top, just need to think of a cool way to weld the base. Something like this
"BaconSandwich is tasty." (baconsandwich)
11/15/2017 at 21:11, STARS: 0
I like it! I figured against the live edge on a dining room table. The kids are still young (and very messy), and having a nice square edge makes cleanup a bit easier. That said, it’s also more of a danger for bonking one’s head on a sharp corner.