Builds Big Red Toy (10 Viewers)

[The Phoenician]

that's a nice looking piggie. Are you doing a Mercedes diesel or a cummins? I'd go with a mercedes on that one.

My gps is usually off anywhere from 5 to 9 mph ( depending on its mood) when I compare it to my jetta's speedo. So even that isn't an accurate read. For all I know I might be doing 70 with red without knowing it.

 

[davegonz]

You probably are going closer to 70. Are you using your phone's GPS or a Garmin hand held?

 

[davegonz]

I need to save up some cash for a swap. Don't know which way to go just now, but they all cost way too much money. The 1.5F in the pig runs really well.

 

[The Phoenician]

You probably are going closer to 70. Are you using your phone's GPS or a Garmin hand held?

I'm using the tomtom in the car. I haven't tried it with my phone yet. I'd need someone to be with me to do that since all my attention needs to be on driving Big Red. I'll give it a shot tomorrow and let you know what it reads.

On the swap are you planning on doing it yourself or having Edwin do it?

 

[The Phoenician]

I need to save up some cash for a swap. Don't know which way to go just now, but they all cost way too much money. The 1.5F in the pig runs really well.

if you go with mercedes you'll be able to drive like this guy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24afjVqm2Uw

 

[The Phoenician]

After watching an SUV have a blowout on the highway, I've pretty much decided to replace the creepy crawlers on big red with military tires. I've not decided if I'll be selling them or keeping them for the trails yet. I'm eying a set of BFG Baja T/A, but there is also a set of Goodyear wranglers for a bit cheaper. I've used both before but there were mounted on uparmored Humvee which are uncomfortable on a good day. Does anyone have any experience with either one of these mounted on a Cruiser?

 

[boots4]

If you go offroad much you'll want to keep your crawlers. The side walls on the standard military goodyears are probably weaker than your crawlers and I compromised one. The benefit to the GYs is that they are usually cheap and you can get good street miles out of them. Offroad they did OK for me.

 

[The Phoenician]

Yeah I doubt anyone will want to buy 9 year old Crawlers anyway and I like the alloy wheels. I'm having a hard time finding 16.5 in wheels. Been to 4 places and called a bunch of others. One will build me a set for $114 each and it will take 4 weeks. It's a bit too rich for my taste. I've seen them before for 80ish. Will keep looking.

ps. What backspacing should I be looking for, and what width?

will this fit a 37X12.5X16.5 tire and bolt correctly to a toyota axle?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pcw-52-65983/overview/

 

[boots4]

In general stick around 3" (2.5-3.75 depending on rim) of backspacing if you are not running any spacers.

That rim you listed is 4.5" of backspacing and that's too deep for standard cruiser stuff.

 

[The Phoenician]

In general stick around 3" (2.5-3.75 depending on rim) of backspacing if you are not running any spacers.

That rim you listed is 4.5" of backspacing and that's too deep for standard cruiser stuff.

Thanks Boots. The only other one I've found is this.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/...-pattern/6-x-5-1-2-in/backspacing-in/2-750-in
I'm not a fan of white, so it will be a rattle can job. Is the width ok?

 

[Off Duty]

I've had the GY Kevlar Belted AT's on my truck for years.

33x12.50.

They've been a great highway tire, and I've hit all kinds of s*** on our freeways, and edged the hell out of them here and there, and so far, no problems with anything
Smooth ride, decent cleaning, and fairly quiet on the road.
Had the BFG's and replaced them with these. Never looked back!

I would definitely recommend them.

OD

 

[davegonz]

Mike, let me know if you see any deals on 35x12.50x15's. My Dick Cepek marshmallow tires (36x16.5x15) on my FJ55 need to go!

OD, are you talking about the military GY tires or GY Duratracs?

 

[The Phoenician]

Mike, let me know if you see any deals on 35x12.50x15's. My Dick Cepek marshmallow tires (36x16.5x15) on my FJ55 need to go!

OD, are you talking about the military GY tires or GY Duratracs?

Dave I like your tires, but I need some radials that are newer for regular highway driving. Dammit, now you got me really thinking about them.

 

[Off Duty]

Mike, let me know if you see any deals on 35x12.50x15's. My Dick Cepek marshmallow tires (36x16.5x15) on my FJ55 need to go!

OD, are you talking about the military GY tires or GY Duratracs?

Commercially available Goodyear, Kevlar Belted Wrangler AT's.
Don't recall if these were the same ones we ran on our military trucks or not, sorry, that was too many don't give a s***'s ago

Couple of crappy nighttime cell phone pics attached.

These things have lasted forever, with a ton of highway miles on them.

OD

 

[The Phoenician]

It's been a while since I've posted anything new. I've been busy with school, the rental property and life in general. I finally squeezed the trigger and ordered a set of military tires on Humvee wheels. The centers have been cut out and a 6 by 5.5 bolt pattern has be put in to fit the toyota.

It was a massive pain to lift them and get them in Big Red, but well worth it.



This is what it looks like.


They look good and are taller than my Creepy Crawlers, but they are narrower and I don't like that.

 

[The Phoenician]

I was so excited when I got home I started airing up the tires and trying to mount them. That's when I ran into a small issue. The drum brake has a little square metal piece that sticks out, preventing the wheel from sitting flush against the drum.



It's at the lower right of the pic.

So the only thing I can think of is to order spacers and mount it. I called Slee and ordered the 1.5 in spacer, they are almost positive it will fix my issue as well as clear the front caliper, the only problem is I have to wait until next Thursday to get them. I was hoping to be driving it with the new wheels for the 4th.

In a separate matter, I've noticed the ambient temperature noticeably affects EGT. I've been driving back and forth quite a bit to my rental house trying to fix it up. Some nights I come back past midnight. Those nights the EGT run about 850 to 900 ish. Make the same trip during the day puts me well in the 1000s.

My next step is to re-gear to 3.73 and put some selectable lockers. I've already sourced the 3rds, I just need to save up for the lockers.

 

[davegonz]

Tall and skinny rocks.

 

[Off Duty]

They look great!
I think you'll be very happy with them

Can't wait to see them on the rig!

OD

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Badass

Trail Worthy Fab?

 

[The Phoenician]

Badass

Trail Worthy Fab?

Yuppers


Edit:, Sorry meant to say Thanks and yes it's from Trail worthy fab. I was at physical therapy when I wrote back.
Davegonz and Off Duty, thanks for the compliments. I need to learn how to use the multi-quote function better.