Long wheelbase and toy front end

[mkmarz]

I currently have a terribly long wheelbase and hate it in the trails of new england. I've got a built toy front end and its been good. But 4 things I really hate my truck as is.
-tires are too small 35s
-axles are too narrow
-truck is too tall
-but the worst is the turning radius (bad scrub radius, need to fix my caster, and need to lose wheelspacers)

I have a line on a 60/14 for a good price. however I'm having second thoughts. A custom wider toy front end and shortened wheelbase would solve some problems. And I could upgrade tires later as when more money comes down the line. Basically what I'm worried about is the turning radius with felts for the birfs. I'm thinking I can cut my wheelbase down to 110".

 

[WristPin]

thats too much effort, IMHO

i would buy a early 80's SWB truck and stuff all your good parts on it, and use the rest of the LWB truck for parts.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

thats too much effort, IMHO

i would buy a early 80's SWB truck and stuff all your good parts on it, and use the rest of the LWB truck for parts.

Yup! Find a short bed, or 4Runner.

 

[KLF]

I prefer my LWB truck, thankyouverymuch.

Buy a Jeep.

 

[mkmarz]

I prefer my LWB truck, thankyouverymuch.

Buy a Jeep.

hmm picking on the newb?

I think i've meet you at a fall gathering before.

No heeps here. Well maybe with a yota driveline.

 

[KLF]

LOL... sorry, I meant that all in good fun.

SWB is OK, they kicked butt when I was down at NEUROC with Mike Fox. But then there were the long steep hillclimbs that his 4Runner walked up and the Jeeps couldn't handle.

LWB rides soooo much better on the road, but it sounds to me like you're not building something for comfort, if 35's are too small and you're planning on full-width axles.

 

[mkmarz]

I knew you were kiddin. I also like the longer wheelbases. But its hard to get this limo around the tight trails.
Bought a built truck with a 132 WB no lie

Then cut it down to 117.5 And I'm still not happy. I'm going to try a selectable up front. for now. I really think its the caster with all the wheel spacers and offset wheels.

 

[KY854RUN]

Making turns with a locked front end is not much fun. Having a selectable locker up front will help.

But, one of the real troubles with changing a rig's wheel base is getting the Ackerman angle right in the steering. If this is not correct, then the front tires fight each other whenever you are making a turn. You can read about this on the 4x4 Labs web site. They can make you a set of steering arms that have the correct angle and your truck will take turns a whole lot easier.

 

[nat88toy]

do you live in mass? if so you can legaly get away with a longer wheel base larger lift that is

i would just hack off the bed and frame at the end of the shackle did that on my buddies and added a wooden bed kid fits in some tight spaces now

 

[Curran]

...Bought a built truck with a 132 WB no lie ...

Shazam! 132" wheelbase is crazy long for an east coast rig. That could be rather exhausting to navigate through the trees.
I have a 90 Xtra Cab that I want to build, but the 122" wheelbase seems too long for the 35" tires I want to stuff under it. Good Gawd, 132" would be horrific.

How did you shorten it down to 117.5"?

 

[chuggins143]

Schnikes! 132"?? I have to assume that someone made it that long!? I have a 85 Toy PU that I've stretched to 122" and it's about right on 37's for what I crawl over, do get caught from time to time but nothing that a flat belly wouldn't cure! ...about to have to flat belly it since the cross member looks like a pretzel!