1. I've searched and read some threads, but wanted to add another perspective;
2. I tend to rattle on a bit, so please forgive me!
e9999's thread on expedition mods was excellent, and I've read some great other threads, but having gone out this weekend for a jaunt, I wanted to ask it in a different way.
I'm so tempted to lift (2.5) and slap 285s on my truck, as that seems to be the "starter" modification to our rigs, but, I don't want to make this change simply for asthetic purposes (not being critical). On the other hand, after dragging my receiver and scraping on some rocks this weekend while taking my daughters into the backcountry, feel obligated to do some kind of mod.
Sounds like I answered my own question, right?
Well, I reviewed the conversation I had with a fellow who took four Discoverys on a 44,000 mile, 16 month trek around the world, and contemplated the modification to his trucks. ARB w/winch, Stock-size BFG MTs, and heavy stock-size ARB springs (produced a little lift). He said his only regret was the wide-offset aftermarket wheels, 'cause the tires rubbed a little. Didn't want anything more oversized, or any more lift. These trucks literally went through hell (well, with LR support), and he liked them the way they were.
I also watched GlobeTrekker last night, and saw these stock 60s and 62s going through the Sahara, bouncing up and down dunes! No lifts or oversize tires, and they seemed to do fine.
And, there's Scott Brady, owner of Expeditions West (regular IH8MUD contributor) who runs tall, narrow tires, with good reason.
I'm wondering if, after some of the people on this board have done the "obligatory" mods, then vacationed, roadtripped, and mildly trekked, they felt they could have done just as well, or better, if left stock.
Keep in mind NO rock crawling. This is, and will be for some time, my only vehicle. I have no intention of tearing it up. Just want it to take me and the girls to see the country with as few unnecessary mods as possible.
Basically, to present it in another way, I am confident most people in this forum would pick an 80 to get around in if they were the only people left on the earth. But, being the only ones left, would they still lift it and throw on 285s? or 315s? Or would they put on tall/narrow or even stock treads?
--Eddie
2. I tend to rattle on a bit, so please forgive me!
e9999's thread on expedition mods was excellent, and I've read some great other threads, but having gone out this weekend for a jaunt, I wanted to ask it in a different way.
I'm so tempted to lift (2.5) and slap 285s on my truck, as that seems to be the "starter" modification to our rigs, but, I don't want to make this change simply for asthetic purposes (not being critical). On the other hand, after dragging my receiver and scraping on some rocks this weekend while taking my daughters into the backcountry, feel obligated to do some kind of mod.
Sounds like I answered my own question, right?
Well, I reviewed the conversation I had with a fellow who took four Discoverys on a 44,000 mile, 16 month trek around the world, and contemplated the modification to his trucks. ARB w/winch, Stock-size BFG MTs, and heavy stock-size ARB springs (produced a little lift). He said his only regret was the wide-offset aftermarket wheels, 'cause the tires rubbed a little. Didn't want anything more oversized, or any more lift. These trucks literally went through hell (well, with LR support), and he liked them the way they were.
I also watched GlobeTrekker last night, and saw these stock 60s and 62s going through the Sahara, bouncing up and down dunes! No lifts or oversize tires, and they seemed to do fine.
And, there's Scott Brady, owner of Expeditions West (regular IH8MUD contributor) who runs tall, narrow tires, with good reason.
I'm wondering if, after some of the people on this board have done the "obligatory" mods, then vacationed, roadtripped, and mildly trekked, they felt they could have done just as well, or better, if left stock.
Keep in mind NO rock crawling. This is, and will be for some time, my only vehicle. I have no intention of tearing it up. Just want it to take me and the girls to see the country with as few unnecessary mods as possible.
Basically, to present it in another way, I am confident most people in this forum would pick an 80 to get around in if they were the only people left on the earth. But, being the only ones left, would they still lift it and throw on 285s? or 315s? Or would they put on tall/narrow or even stock treads?
--Eddie