Stryder106
Explorer
Hi Guys,
I'm looking at doing some upgrades, translation: spending money, on my 02 Av. NFE 4WD 1500. Here's what I'm looking to do:
1) Tires - based on what we do, and what we want to do - I really want to go to a 35" tire (General Grabber x3). Current tires size: 285/70-17.
2) Differentials - looking to go to a 4.88 gear (for the 35" tires). I currently have 4.10s and the G80. I'm also looking to upgrade the locker (ARB Air?) and ARB strengthening diff cover (will also be fabbing in a truss)
3) Locker: Is the ARB Air Locker the correct choice for Overlanding? With the price tag on it, comes the price tag of a compressor. If I have to buy a compressor, I might as well get the ARB Twin that can also fill my tires and do multiple other things. You can see where I'm headed with this....................
4) Lift - this is my biggest concern. I have literally done months of research on the various lift kits out there and the one (for my rig) that keeps coming up as the top of the pile from a quality perspective is the BDS kit. Added bonus, this is a high clearance kit with the torsion bars in the stock location and the front diff drop is arched to provide additional clearance down the middle of the rig. It also neutrals the CV angles rather than topping them out - so I get full travel.
HERE'S my concern with the lift: BDS says I MUST use the 6.5" kit to fit 35" tires. (They also have a 4.5" kit available). If I add up 6.5" plus the additional 2" of tire - that's 8.5" inches. Deduct my 2.5" of leveling and 1" bigger than stock tire - and that is 5.5" inches taller than I am now. Is that TOO MUCH? Looking at the pic on their website - the Escalade (6.5" with 35" tires) - looks like it is sky high - but I can't tell if that is simply due to camera angle. What do you guys think? Also, I am willing to do some additional trimming and cutting to make room for the 35"s, but it's chicken and egg: If I buy the lift then the tires - tires fit, but is the lift too high? Or, if I buy the tires first, could I possibly drive it home to trim it and then add whatever lift I need (4.5" or 6.5")? See what I mean?
5) Atomic's coil over conversion - would love to consider that - but he has not returned my PM.
Doing all of this is expensive - but I'm trying to only do this once and not skimp on quality that could strand me in the desert somewhere.
I'm looking at doing some upgrades, translation: spending money, on my 02 Av. NFE 4WD 1500. Here's what I'm looking to do:
1) Tires - based on what we do, and what we want to do - I really want to go to a 35" tire (General Grabber x3). Current tires size: 285/70-17.
2) Differentials - looking to go to a 4.88 gear (for the 35" tires). I currently have 4.10s and the G80. I'm also looking to upgrade the locker (ARB Air?) and ARB strengthening diff cover (will also be fabbing in a truss)
3) Locker: Is the ARB Air Locker the correct choice for Overlanding? With the price tag on it, comes the price tag of a compressor. If I have to buy a compressor, I might as well get the ARB Twin that can also fill my tires and do multiple other things. You can see where I'm headed with this....................
4) Lift - this is my biggest concern. I have literally done months of research on the various lift kits out there and the one (for my rig) that keeps coming up as the top of the pile from a quality perspective is the BDS kit. Added bonus, this is a high clearance kit with the torsion bars in the stock location and the front diff drop is arched to provide additional clearance down the middle of the rig. It also neutrals the CV angles rather than topping them out - so I get full travel.
HERE'S my concern with the lift: BDS says I MUST use the 6.5" kit to fit 35" tires. (They also have a 4.5" kit available). If I add up 6.5" plus the additional 2" of tire - that's 8.5" inches. Deduct my 2.5" of leveling and 1" bigger than stock tire - and that is 5.5" inches taller than I am now. Is that TOO MUCH? Looking at the pic on their website - the Escalade (6.5" with 35" tires) - looks like it is sky high - but I can't tell if that is simply due to camera angle. What do you guys think? Also, I am willing to do some additional trimming and cutting to make room for the 35"s, but it's chicken and egg: If I buy the lift then the tires - tires fit, but is the lift too high? Or, if I buy the tires first, could I possibly drive it home to trim it and then add whatever lift I need (4.5" or 6.5")? See what I mean?
5) Atomic's coil over conversion - would love to consider that - but he has not returned my PM.
Doing all of this is expensive - but I'm trying to only do this once and not skimp on quality that could strand me in the desert somewhere.