Sorry, the search didn't help :nuke: to tell me if this has been covered a million times.
I have a CJ-5 I'm getting ready to transplant 14 bolt and 60 in. They are both regular full width. I'm also going to extend the wheelbase out to 105 or so. Now I live in a state where they don't seem to care too much about wheels stickin way out there but am concerned about trail driving- I'm guessing around 85" outside to outside of the tire. I may even enter one or two events in the newbie category. :beer:
So, spend the bucks now or let it ride? If I should narrow, to what width recommended WMF to WMF?

IMHO - narrow it.

My own personal opinion is that 62-65" is an ideal width - not too wide, not too narrow.

I have a 67" Dodge 60 front I will be narrowing the long side to make it 64" wide, and will be running a 65" wide 60 rear to go with it.

you need to look at the trails you run. are full width axles going to be a problem? if not run them. if so go find a chevy cab and chassis dually 14bolt because they are only 63" wide. you can then narow the front to match. if you do narrow the front yourself the only cost you will have is the cost of narrowing the front inner axles on the 60. this is what i did and i think shipping and all it was just over $100 to have both inner shafts cut, resplined, and shipped both ways.

Originally posted by high5
you need to look at the trails you run.Good advice!

Personally I like the stability of full width. I would have problems with most ARCA gates but then it's unlikely that's gonna be a concern in the near future. I will however attempt to sit sideways on Hummer Hill.

The width won't be a problem on the trails- and I already shaved the wide 14 bolt I have. :rasta: Is ARCA the only series that runs the real narrow gates? I doubt I'll make it to one except to watch any time soon but you never know. Might just keep the overall extra stability of the full width, it's easier at this point.

Originally posted by VeloCJ
Is ARCA the only series that runs the real narrow gates? .

No, I know for sure that CALROCS does also. I would assume that the others do as well....just so that everyone doesn't swap full size axles into their comp rigs...The Comps would suck without rollovers:D

You can always narrow them later if you don't like it.

With the advent of the 16.5" beadlocks, is narrowing really necesarry? For example, Chebby D60 with stock steel wheels and 36 X 12.50 16 TSL's measured 79" at the sidewalls in overall width. Those 16.5's have alot of offset in them...

Any body??? This was intended as a question.

With 16.5 wheels with the stock offset, will your overall width reall be a problem? Curious minds want to know. :D

you might have a BIG turning radius (unless ya got rear steer)

Go full width. Spend the money on getting it geared and locked now. Get 3 1/2" backspacing 15" beadlock wheels and run it. Then later on if its to wide narrow the axles. Sounds like a good idea!

Wait, thats what I am going to do!

I have been full width with 1/2 ton axles and loved it on my 100" YJ. Works great. Never have I said "Man wish my axles were 4" skinnier"

Go big!