Birfield question (1 Viewer)

[Conex]

I know this is the gas 40 area of Mud but I have a question regarding Birfields and a BJ40. I am still looking around at lift options (I havent found anyone in Costa Rica that does a SOA properly ie: cut and turn) and in my numerous searches I have found a lot of issues with Birfield failures when running over 35" tires. My question is... are the failures due to the tire size or because of drivetrain torque? A lot of you all are running larger engines but I am running a B series diesel which is not a torque monster and wonder if the stock Birfields will suffice with 35x12.5 or 35x14.5 tires. BTW I rarely do any serious offroad 4x4ing but commute on some of the worst roads on the planet.

 

[ridgerunner]

Some drivetrain combos are known to explode parts more than others. With a B diesel and stock drivetrain I wouldn't really worry, but I'd carry spares just in case. There are those who break birfields with 33s, there are some running 38s with stock birfields- very driver and situation dependent.

For piece of mind you could upgrade to Longfields and then not worry about it at all.

 

[73fj]

Your birfs are more than adequate,that "B" motor ain't got enough to hurt you. Unless your jumpin it like the Dukes of Hazard.

 

[Sputnik40]

Where in CR are you?

My experiences are basically limited to everything between Dominical and Playa Flamingo, excluding Mai Pais and the point and the worst I've seen is the trails going up the back side of Dominical and the estuary up by Playa Negra. Yeah, the roads are bad in some places, but it's really mostly just washboard/pothole heaven with a few river crossings here or there (or the monster potholes up near Lake Arenal). If that's the majority of your worries you'll do fine with 35's and open diffs. I've beat the tar out of some 4x4 rentals there in the past, but we've really had to look hard for some good wheeling that wasn't trespassing on someones property.

As to a SOA - I'm doing mine here know in the States and I can flat out gaurantee it'd be the way to go down there - would really smooth the bumps out, but you'd loose some speed on the main roads due to higher center of gravity. Of course - I've seen so many Cruisers down there with the springs sitting on the bumpstops I imagine antyhing would be an improvement.

 

[Conex]

I'm right outside Tamarindo and your right about the wheeling being hard to find. My 35 mile one way commute on washboard and potholed roads are more than an annoyance as they create a maintenance headache for a 30 year old 40. I cant find all of the squeaks and rattles, so I put in a louder stereo.

 

[Sputnik40]

Okee - Know the area pretty damn well. I've run the coast between Tamarindo and Nosara a few times, and the washboard down to Santa Cruz. Have driven the beach around the estuary down by Freddy's surf camp, driven the estuary once many years ago, but usually take the bypass that cuts towards SC. Got a smaller 4xbox stuck in the Avaones once at low tide, and then read the article in Surfer about the guys who did the same and the rig got washed out to sea. Damn, I've been all over the coast in that area

Whatever you decide to do - if you go bigger tires be sure to make sure all your tie rods, knuckle bearings, drag link and all other steering stuff is tight. Bigger tires will really make the wandering on the washboard worse if the steering is sloppy.

If you go SOA with 35's and carry a spare birf if you ever go wheeling or travel down to south to the point in rainy season - everything else inbetween is basically 2 wheel drive. If you don't have the time for SOA - just go lift shackles with some better 4" lift springs - and soft dampened shocks.

What do you do for a living down there - been going to Panama for surf trips as places like Tamarindo have been getting too built out/crowded lately.

 

[Conex]

Thanks for the input. Yeah Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Avellanas and Playa Negra are really crowded these days, but there are a lot of places that not many people know about for some good waves. I am probably going SOA as it is considerably cheaper to do here as I have yet to find a lift spring supplier in CR. Close to double the price to ship+duty. BTW I am in the concrete business so the development is actually a good thing in my case.
Pura vida

 

[Sputnik40]

Concrete - kool. I have a friend who's looking at possibly doing some building in that area. He's an architect, GC and inspector and has visited Tamarindo several times to do inspections for clients - loves it up there. I'll pass on your name - or you can contact him direct - he's captjim here on the list.

Avellanas - man I really butched the spelling on that - that is one of my favorite waves over there - but I've only caught it good on 2 or 3 trips - is the big rock still there at low tide??? You'll have to let me know about some of those spots

Thanks for the input. Yeah Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Avellanas and Playa Negra are really crowded these days, but there are a lot of places that not many people know about for some good waves. I am probably going SOA as it is considerably cheaper to do here as I have yet to find a lift spring supplier in CR. Close to double the price to ship+duty. BTW I am in the concrete business so the development is actually a good thing in my case.
Pura vida