I've been on 285/65 18 Nitto Trail Graps on 18x9" +25 wheels for a couple of months now.
Need slightly more significant trimming than others, and some BFHing the back side of the front wells, but other than that? No issues at all.
-V
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I've been on 285/65 18 Nitto Trail Graps on 18x9" +25 wheels for a couple of months now.
Need slightly more significant trimming than others, and some BFHing the back side of the front wells, but other than that? No issues at all.
-V
The tires and wheels are on and trimming for fitment is done. The cladding restoration didn't happen since we needed to do some work on the rock buggy this weekend as well. But here is Betty looking good!!
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/0c71b99a.jpg
Since there really wasn't any definitive thread on how to go about fitting the 285/65R18s in the VX's front fenders I made sure to take some pictures. My guy and I did the passenger side first and did it just a tiny bit at a time so we could get it right. When we went to the driver's side we measured and only cut once. Here were the tools we used other than the standard jacks and such: Sawzall, BIG hammer, a 10mm socket and another small one (can't remember the size), pliers, file, torch, a couple of steel pieces, drill, and a pop-rivet gun thing. I am going to warn you that I am not an expert and may not explain things perfectly, so just let me know if you have any questions!
On the driver's side we started with the rear side of the fender. The first thing we did was take 2 of the 10mm bolts out of the fender/cladding and all the little screws with plastic backings off of the fender from the middle of the fender to the rear. Then you can move the inner liner of the fender to get to the metal behind it.
The next thing we did was to get the sawzall out. The only sawzall cut we made was from 4.5" below the 10mm bolt (you can see the hole in the middle right of the pic) and went diagonally toward the brace on the inner side of the fender. Part of the diagonal piece you cut off includes one of the 10mm bolt holes and there is a clip on the hole that you need to remove and reuse later.
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/97b7382d.jpg
Next, we took out a big hammer and piers and cranked the inner fender around. It doesn't take much, but when you push in the inner fender the bolt tabs will need to be bent back as you will be using the lower bolt hole for the 10mm bolt and clip you cut off.
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/7f6fa954.jpg
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/3aaf9dbd.jpg
Next, we used a torch to heat up the fender liner to flatten it out a bit. I do not have pics of this process as I had a torch in my hand at the time. We used a really low setting and heated and used two pieces of metal to get the plastic to go a little more flat as we were having trouble with this section sticking out when fitting the tires. (you can see the portion we re-bent in the picture with the drill. Its the section to the left and below where the drill hole is.)
Next, we refit the fender guard into place and marked the spot where we put the 10mm clip we stole from the piece we cut off at the beginning. We drilled a hole through the liner where we will reuse the clip and bolt.
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/b93765cf.jpg
Lastly, the cladding hangs a bit funny under the door since we cut off the connection point, so we put a pop-rivet through the cladding and sheet metal below the door maybe a cm behind where we cut (no pic). After that, put all the little bolts & plastic things back in and stand back and appreciate your work...apparently I didn't appreciate this part enough because I forgot to take a final picture of the back of the fender. I will do it tomorrow and post up.
The second part is the front. I don't really know a good way to tell you how much to cut off, but I can show you a couple pictures so you can get an idea. If you want a measurement of something specific let me know, I still have the big piece we cut off. After cutting use a file to clean up all the edges - it looks GREAT!
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/64b56518.jpg
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/b1ca6b6b.jpg
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/93bde8e0.jpg
Well, it was a fun project. I LOVE the look of the VX now!!
.Quote:
Originally Posted by jeeperkate
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Looks great! Can see just a little bigger triangle and some BFH work, compared to the 285/60-18s.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...OMENTS_664.jpg
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/...S/IMAG0215.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/DSC_0579.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/DSC_0564.JPG
Looking good, Kate! Remember to keep an eye on it for a few weeks as the ride "settles" in. Here's another little tidbit that discovered as well: with the lift, slight as it is, airflow is changed enough to catch the rear wheel well skirts and make them flap on rare occasions. Usually happens only in weird cross-wind scenarios. Freaked me out at first, thought maybe one of the cladding pieces had come undone and was catching air.
What PSI did you decide on?
-V
Love the look,,nice write up too :thumbup:
Dont forget to have an alignment done.
jo
Thanks guys! I like it!
V - I am running 40psi in the tires right now. They ride is OK, so I think I will stick with it for a while! As for the funny noise, it already happened! It scared the crap out of me, I thought I had a vibration or something but funny thing was I couldn't ever make it happen it was just random (during a HUGE wind storm). I read another post about fender liners buzzing and figured that must be it. Thanks for the heads-up though...I certainly was freaked when I first heard it!
JoFotoz - Thank you! An alignment is in the works this week. I am not going to be driving it until that happens! Thanks for the reminder, that would be something I would forget because I am so excited!
I got a SWEET rack today in the mail from Breezy! Now I just have to figure out how to put it on ;-)
I haven't been spending much time on the VX as of late since I am prepping the Jeep for Moab. I have replaced rear axle shafts, tightened and lubed everything, and put on the soft-top today! I still have a tune-up and loose steering problem to track down and then she's ready to go!! Woo hoo, I can't wait!
Congrats on getting a new ( . ) ( . ) ......:eek:
Are you staying in Moab a few days after jeeping ...
...ya really should ...:thumbup:
Jo
J - doesn't look like I will be able to stay any longer in Moab :( My work won't be able to go without me for any longer, unfortunately. I would have loved to stay to meet some VXers!
Here's my new RACK!
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/photo-21.jpg
Truck looks nice, and yes, you have a sweet rack too!! :thumbup: :dance:
Bummer...
When does the jeep thing end...Quote:
Originally Posted by jeeperkate
..cause there are a few arriving early.
jo
My parts are traveling! :) I love that you already have the racks put on! VX looks pretty good.
I am not sure if we are leaving May 11th or 12th. It depends on how the week is going and how the Jeeps are running. There is a group of 7 of us coming from Minnesota so we stay in a pack just in case! If anyone is going to be there then shoot me a PM and maybe we can hook up!Quote:
Originally Posted by JoFotoz
BTW - Forgot to give a shout out to KAT for the directions for the rack. Thanks Kat!
We are arriving on the 12th. Look for a green Trooper and a black VX heading west through the Rockies on Saturday. Or on Friday, I will be driving to Des Moines, meeting Gill & CeCe from Chicago, then heading west to Denver.
Your leaving Moab the 11th or 12th or MN?Quote:
Originally Posted by jeeperkate
Me too...
...should be on the stoop by early afternoon on the 12th.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSwede
jo
:_beer:
Sorry - we are leaving Moab on the 11th or 12th :( If we are still there, I will swing by...but I really doubt it. SAD!
I hope I pass a few of you on the road.
If you see a conga line of Jeeps & one 4runner and you have a CB, tune into channel 4 and give me a shout out!
There's an ap for .... ooops .... there's a thread for that:Quote:
Originally Posted by Breezy
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...t=shared+parts
Latest and greatest - Betty got new brake pads and rotors last night all the way around. Also, the rear passenger brake caliper was replaced after making quite the rusty mess out of my brake pad!
Next up - T-case fluid change, trans fluid change, and about darn time we get to cladding restoration and shock change-out!
I am in the midst of triathlon season, so it's tough to get to working on vehicles! Betty is taking me down to St. Cloud, MN this weekend to swim/bike/run my butt off.
Everyone have a great weekend!
Triathlon joke of the day:
A triathlete was walking around in town one day when his friend, another triathlete, rode up on an incredible shiny new bike. The first chap was stunned and asked, "Where did you get such a fantastic bike?" The friend replied, "Well, yesterday I was out running in the forest just minding my own business when this beautiful woman rode up to me on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want!" The first chap nodded approvingly, "Good choice. The clothes probably wouldn't have fit you anyway."
Danm those triathlons! ;)