Dave Bennett
Adventurist
x2 :costumed-smiley-007
Building My 06 at a Snails Pace
- Thread starter daverami
- Start date
x2 :costumed-smiley-007
daverami
Explorer
Well, finally got a few other mods done over the last month.
4.56's, ARB lockers and 285/75R16 Goodyear Duratracs.
Had all this stuff done while in Australia for a month. Hope to eventually get some pictures up. The gears have brought the power back to stock, and maybe even a little better. I love the tires. They look great and have performed well so far in the mild snow and ice we have had. Better than the BFG AT's I had. They are a load range E, but the ride is really good. Hopefully will get into some muddy and rocky trail conditions here shortly and will give them a little workout while aired down.
4.56's, ARB lockers and 285/75R16 Goodyear Duratracs.
Had all this stuff done while in Australia for a month. Hope to eventually get some pictures up. The gears have brought the power back to stock, and maybe even a little better. I love the tires. They look great and have performed well so far in the mild snow and ice we have had. Better than the BFG AT's I had. They are a load range E, but the ride is really good. Hopefully will get into some muddy and rocky trail conditions here shortly and will give them a little workout while aired down.
daverami
Explorer
No work at all really. I have Icons in the front set at about 2.5 inches. I have the FJ SE 16 inch TRD wheels with 4.5 inch backspacing and they are 7.5 inches wide. I think this combination makes a perfect fit. Nothing rubs lock to lock and still get full compression. I will do a little plastic trimming though on the fenders as it is very close.
gearbox
Adventurer
Everything I've read indicates that a certain amount of modification is needed for 285/75/16 on an 05+. I wonder if it applies only to MTs with the big lugs.
I'd like to move up to bigger tires but I don't have the wherewithal to go beyond 265/75/16s if it goes beyond cutting some plastic and smashing the pinch weld.
Do you get the impression that if your Duratracs had wider mud lugs it wouldn't fit? Or do Duratracs size out smaller than the average 285/75?
soonenough
Explorer
I'm really anxious to hear your opinion of the Duratracs. They don't seem to be very popular for some reason, but I've read a lot of positived reviews online. How loud are they compared to the BFG ATs (obviously it's not at apples to apples comparison since the BFGs were probably pretty worn)? I'm less than a month from needing new tires, and those are currently at the top of the list.
daverami
Explorer
Hopefully I can get some decent pictures this weekend.
daverami
Explorer
I haven't taken it out yet on anything to do a major flex check, only in the yard and with floor jacks, checking the droop and stuff. So I will be checking further, but everything clears fine. I am going to do some minor plastic trimming but I don't think I'll need to do the pinch weld smash or chop the body mount at all. We checked that out in the shop, but it wouldn't be a biggie if I had too. If I went to a 255, which is taller, then maybe those would be necessary. I am going to trim the end of my ARB bumper, rounding it off to match the fender well.
I don't know about the lugs but they seem to clear just fine. I will post measurements of the tires when I get back home this weekend.
daverami
Explorer
I have heard complaints about the sidewalls being weak. I don't know how fast people are taking corners, but I can't tell any difference, even with the ARB bumper and winch in front. There has been some complaints about the siping too, for some reason, but it appears to be well done to me. As we into more ice and snow, I'll let you know. The tire shop guys said they should be great for the winter. For all the complaints, they sure have been on backorder a lot.
I would say the noise is equal to the AT's till you get to about 45-50, then there is a slight hum, but very slight. They do ride really smooth. I'll keep you posted but I only have less than a hundred miles on them so far. They really do look better live than any picture I have seen.
daverami
Explorer
Took a few bad garage pics. I will end up taking out some plastic at the back of the front fender well. Went over a big dip and it rubbed.
Tire height is a hair over 32", tread width is about 8.75" and sidewall is around 11". My rough measurements when I got home.
Will get some better pics eventually.
Tire height is a hair over 32", tread width is about 8.75" and sidewall is around 11". My rough measurements when I got home.
Will get some better pics eventually.
Jacket
2008 Expedition Trophy Champion
Very nice upgrades Dave. Keep us posted on the improvements with your new gears.
From what I've seen on my tires, you should be able eliminate all rubbing issues up front by trimming the end caps on the ARB and eliminating some of the plastic at the back of the fender (which you've already got planned). Depending on how well your rear axle is centered, you may have challenges back there as well. Mine is about 1/2" - 1" too far forward and rubs plastic and some sheet metal - but I've got an axle relocation plate to move it back and center the wheel better.
From what I've seen on my tires, you should be able eliminate all rubbing issues up front by trimming the end caps on the ARB and eliminating some of the plastic at the back of the fender (which you've already got planned). Depending on how well your rear axle is centered, you may have challenges back there as well. Mine is about 1/2" - 1" too far forward and rubs plastic and some sheet metal - but I've got an axle relocation plate to move it back and center the wheel better.
daverami
Explorer
Thanks, hope to get them dirty tomorrow although it's supposed to be really cold tonight and for the next few days. I may end up staying by the fire and reading!
daverami
Explorer
Thanks Matt.
I can feel the difference in response with the gears. Hope to get back some mpg's too.
Like you say, I think the minor stuff up front will cure any rub problems there. We will see about the rear but I have my fingers crossed.
Dave