Why we love 4x4s and mud tires!

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10/06/2010, 02:11 PM
VX KAT

Why we love 4x4s and mud tires!

Had some really wicked storms sit on top of our area for about 36 hrs now, with the worst hitting at about 3 am. Had some hail but luckily it was small pea-sized....Phew!

This is my driveway and my "street" aka "my famous dirt/rocky road....see why we love 4x4s and big mud tires so much?:thumbup:

Recent conversation with tire place: "Are you sure you want such aggressive tires for this smooth riding SUV? These Nitto Terra Grapplers are going to ride awfully rough and noisy! Umm, yes sir, I'm aware of that...have you seen my road & driveway? :laugho:"

Ahhh, country life! Love it!
It would be hard to keep Marlin & Crotchrocket away if they were closer!

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../DSCN2011.jpeg

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http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../DSCN2012.jpeg

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10/06/2010, 06:55 PM
etlsport

Sue, I think I just figured out why your vehicles seem to shake.. ;Db;
10/06/2010, 07:02 PM
RickOKC

Oh yeah? Well, it rained here once and the concrete all the way out of my subdivision was wet and had some leaves on it.

Yeah... I got nothing. LOL!

I'm really jealous that you have such fun terrain so close!
10/06/2010, 08:55 PM
pbkid

hell ya! looks like a blast!
10/06/2010, 11:36 PM
VX KAT

Quote:

Originally Posted by etlsport

Sue, I think I just figured out why your vehicles seem to shake.. ;Db;

Yeah, dat's what I be tryin' to tellz you guyz all this time!

I FINALLY decided to cut my bump stops down last week....and this road was MUCHO smoother (well, before it became a mudhole). I got a set of them from a junkyard, so now I have the OEMs and the OEMs cut in half! I think I shoulda done this a long time ago!

p.s...the NTGs are great on all this terrain :goof:..it's on the dang highway at 55 ish that there's the shakin'...guess I should stay on these roads..cuz it don't shake here!! :_thinking Problem solved!:laugho:
I think I've got them as good as they can get. Just have to figure out if I should return the one with a "flat spot"...that one's still out of wack. I am SOOOOOO tempted to put them on the VX!!
10/06/2010, 11:40 PM
VX KAT

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbkid

hell ya! looks like a blast!

Yeah, Dave went back and forth a "few" extra times today:naughty::naughty:...at about 30...weeee oooo! His ProComp Xtreme Muds were a lot of fun.....now his truck looks somewhat like....um, um...Crotch's!
10/07/2010, 01:46 AM
crotchrocket

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

Yeah, Dave went back and forth a "few" extra times today:naughty::naughty:...at about 30...weeee oooo! His ProComp Xtreme Muds were a lot of fun.....now his truck looks somewhat like....um, um...Crotch's!

lol !!! :D
10/07/2010, 06:34 AM
vt_maverick

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

I FINALLY decided to cut my bump stops down last week....and this road was MUCHO smoother (well, before it became a mudhole). I got a set of them from a junkyard, so now I have the OEMs and the OEMs cut in half! I think I shoulda done this a long time ago!

Hmmm... sounds more and more like the bump stop thing is something I should do sooner rather than later. Sonya's #1 complaint with the VX is the harshness of the ride, especially in the back when going over bumps.

What donor vehicle did you yank your extra set off of? Another VX? Or a Trooper or Rodeo perhaps?
10/07/2010, 12:04 PM
VX KAT

Quote:

Originally Posted by vt_maverick

Hmmm... sounds more and more like the bump stop thing is something I should do sooner rather than later. Sonya's #1 complaint with the VX is the harshness of the ride, especially in the back when going over bumps.

What donor vehicle did you yank your extra set off of? Another VX? Or a Trooper or Rodeo perhaps?

They're off a VX. Now I only drove about 10 miles with them this way so far (due to the mud road, I'm avoiding it cuz my VX is all clean and purdy and ready to go), but just that 3/4 mile on the dirt road I could tell a difference. Just enough in my mind to make it "worth it" to me. Especially knowing I have a spare pair should I want to go back.
10/07/2010, 01:43 PM
Marlin

Hmmm, maybe I should make a trip out to your house sometime...
As for the bump stops, do you think you are really getting full rear shock compression on the dirt road? There is a lot of space between the stop and the axle. I might have to try this sometime, I will get some off of a rodeo, I think they are the same. If not, I can get them off of the VX here and try it out. Mine are about shot, can't imagine why...
Nice looking driveway Sue!!!! Did the tow hook get there today?
10/07/2010, 02:23 PM
Triathlete

One thing to be cautious of with the shorter bump stops...especially with larger tires...when you stuff the suspension your tires may get into the wheel well lining and with a bit of skinny pedal will rip it out. Also if you go to short and stuff the suspension your shocks could possibly bottom out which can cause them to break or fail.
10/07/2010, 04:43 PM
nfpgasmask

The pea sized hail came through Reno too. The Impulse got pelted. I was nervous. Gladly, it was small enough to not do damage like you said.

http://vehicross.info/forums/images/...noneyellow.gif Bart
10/07/2010, 07:21 PM
pbkid

i wish we could get some darn weather around here....

although i would rather wait till the yeti is back in running order (which should be soon!!! i got a job yesterday!!!!)
10/07/2010, 08:00 PM
Mile High VX

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbkid

i wish we could get some darn weather around here....

although i would rather wait till the yeti is back in running order (which should be soon!!! i got a job yesterday!!!!)

Congrats on the new gig!
10/07/2010, 08:51 PM
VX KAT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin

As for the bump stops, do you think you are really getting full rear shock compression on the dirt road? There is a lot of space between the stop and the axle.

A LOT OF ROOM !!??:freek: Tim Parker (SBC) took a look at mine and said there was like 1/2"....Dave's FJ has about 7" just as somewhat of a comparison.
No, I don't always achieve full compression on the dirt road, there are some deeper ruts and bigger potholes I've hit though where it just slams down in the rear...has knocked my rear door off kilter twice so far...:goof:

I presume cranking T-Bars or lifting give it more space? Is that correct?
10/08/2010, 05:00 AM
RallyDude

So what else do you do besides washing your truck? Looks like it would keep you busy.
10/08/2010, 06:03 AM
samneil2000

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

A LOT OF ROOM !!??:freek: Tim Parker (SBC) took a look at mine and said there was like 1/2"....Dave's FJ has about 7" just as somewhat of a comparison.
No, I don't always achieve full compression on the dirt road, there are some deeper ruts and bigger potholes I've hit though where it just slams down in the rear...has knocked my rear door off kilter twice so far...:goof:

I presume cranking T-Bars or lifting give it more space? Is that correct?

If you put on the OME springs and gained 2 to 3 inches, that space would be between the bump-stop and the axle. Mine was/is the same way. I lifted but then added larger bump-stops and they aren't real far from the axle now.
I don't think messing with the torsion bars would affect the rear geometry much if at all.
10/08/2010, 06:07 AM
vt_maverick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triathlete

One thing to be cautious of with the shorter bump stops...especially with larger tires...when you stuff the suspension your tires may get into the wheel well lining and with a bit of skinny pedal will rip it out. Also if you go to short and stuff the suspension your shocks could possibly bottom out which can cause them to break or fail.

So do you think cutting the OEM rear bump stops at the middle of the "figure 8" shape is going too far?

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

A LOT OF ROOM !!??:freek: Tim Parker (SBC) took a look at mine and said there was like 1/2"....Dave's FJ has about 7" just as somewhat of a comparison.
No, I don't always achieve full compression on the dirt road, there are some deeper ruts and bigger potholes I've hit though where it just slams down in the rear...has knocked my rear door off kilter twice so far...:goof:

I presume cranking T-Bars or lifting give it more space? Is that correct?

Ditto, looked at mine last night and it's not much clearance at all. Marlin, maybe yours has so much more distance because you're lifted?
10/08/2010, 11:27 AM
PittVXr

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

A LOT OF ROOM !!??:freek: Tim Parker (SBC) took a look at mine and said there was like 1/2"....Dave's FJ has about 7" just as somewhat of a comparison.
No, I don't always achieve full compression on the dirt road, there are some deeper ruts and bigger potholes I've hit though where it just slams down in the rear...has knocked my rear door off kilter twice so far...:goof:

I presume cranking T-Bars or lifting give it more space? Is that correct?

Here is a pic of my rear bump stop. Is this a normal amount of space to have on a stock VX? I can't even squeeze my finger between the bump stop and the rear axle. If lifting it will put more room between the bumpstop and the rear axle thereby improving the ride I think I may have to go that route. I can't go through another winter of hitting potholes and feeling my teeth rattle.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...ms_picture.jpg
10/08/2010, 12:00 PM
Marlin

Mine has juat under 2.5" between them. Probably from the lift. Pitt, I noticed your springs are tightly coiled down...seems upside down like mine, or else the write ups for the spring install, coiled side up are incorrect?
10/08/2010, 12:34 PM
PittVXr

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin

Mine has juat under 2.5" between them. Probably from the lift. Pitt, I noticed your springs are tightly coiled down...seems upside down like mine, or else the write ups for the spring install, coiled side up are incorrect?

I've never touched them, but the previous owner may have. I don't think that would change anything as far as the distance from the bumpstop to the rear axle. Would it?

Maybe we need a poll to figure out what the "right" amount of space is.
10/08/2010, 02:39 PM
Triathlete

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

...there are some deeper ruts and bigger potholes I've hit though where it just slams down in the rear...has knocked my rear door off kilter twice so far...:goof:

Still talking about the VX...right?:bwgy:
10/08/2010, 02:43 PM
Mile High VX

Quote:

Originally Posted by PittVXr

Here is a pic of my rear bump stop. Is this a normal amount of space to have on a stock VX? I can't even squeeze my finger between the bump stop and the rear axle. If lifting it will put more room between the bumpstop and the rear axle thereby improving the ride I think I may have to go that route. I can't go through another winter of hitting potholes and feeling my teeth rattle.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...ms_picture.jpg

Mine looks like this also...can't even get one finger between the stop and the axle...less than 1/2"
10/11/2010, 12:08 PM
vt_maverick

Quote:

Originally Posted by PittVXr

Here is a pic of my rear bump stop. Is this a normal amount of space to have on a stock VX? I can't even squeeze my finger between the bump stop and the rear axle.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...ms_picture.jpg

Bumping for an answer???
10/11/2010, 12:13 PM
Triathlete

Quote:

Originally Posted by vt_maverick

Bumping for an answer???

You so funny!:bwgy:
10/11/2010, 12:14 PM
vt_maverick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triathlete

You so funny!:bwgy:

Lol, didn't even intend the pun. But now you reply to poke fun but don't answer the question!?! ;)
10/11/2010, 12:16 PM
Triathlete

To answer the question but not really...

...I have a lot more room than that! Of course I am lifted!:bwgy:
10/16/2010, 12:13 PM
VX KAT

mav & Pitt- Dub and Tim Parker (SBC) both have told me that about 1/2" space is pretty normal for non-lifted VX. Dub said since our rear bump stops are "pretty" flexible with the thickness of the rubber and the figure 8 shape that gives some additional room for compression, that that's likely why Isuzu didn't leave more space.

I've now driven 1800 miles on the cut down rear bump stops...my impression is they make potholes and such LESS jarring. It's kinda weird, but it seems I "hear" a loud noise when I go over some potholes, but I don't get that jarring slam in the rear. Perhaps I'm hearing stuff move around in the back?

My Rancho shocks are currently set at 4/4 and they're a bit on the soft side. I may change them for the return trip, firm them up a bit and see if there's any difference on the jarring/slamming.

I'm very happy with this modification...and I can go back to stock at any time...best of both worlds in my opinion.
10/16/2010, 02:13 PM
PittVXr

Quote:

Originally Posted by VX KAT

mav & Pitt- Dub and Tim Parker (SBC) both have told me that about 1/2" space is pretty normal for non-lifted VX.

Good to know that I am "pretty normal". Well at least my bump stops are. ;Db;

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