i know i know it has been discussed before, but............. only competition minded people need apply to this thread.... :D im thinkin 102 to 104 any thoughts

I think that it's dependent on the size of tires that you are going to run.

36 to 38's - 100"

42-44's - 105"

I just did the same soul searching. After the last pro rock event there was not any straight metal behind my seats so out came the sawzall and torches.

after a lot of thought I went with 104, from 99. Paule, Jordan and Robbins are all in the 102-104 range if i remember right. a lot of other worthy people are close to that mark too.

My 99 really worked well for me, but my CG is relatively low running either 38'5 fat TSL's or 37 Krawlers (which are 1/2" taller by the way) Having a clean belly helps of course. Seems like more wheelbase than 104 hurts more often than it helps- just my .02. There were a few climbs lately that just could not be done by the taller CG or shorter wb guys- so i took the opportunity to stretch a little, can always go back later.
Obviously it's all a compromise. Good luck!

I just shorted mine to 102"

102"

Originally posted by bigdude
102"


thats what im aiming at was just curious of the pbb's opinion.. :D

Originally posted by Chris Geiger
I just shorted mine to 102"

Chris, are you still going to call that a Toyota Truck?

running either 38'5 fat TSL's or 37 Krawlers (which are 1/2" taller by the way)

not to change subjects but are you saying your 37" BFG's are .5" taller than your 38.5" TSL's?

The Crawlers are taller- at 10 lbs, at 15lbs at each lowered to their wheelin pressure. Another tidbit is I mounted the 38.5's on 10" wheels and 14" wheels- the tires on the 14's were a little taller- at 15 PSI. I've heard of worn 38.5 TSL's measuring under a 36" caliper when measured for a comp- I believe it.

Don't get me wrong- I do like the tires, both of them actually.

Originally posted by wngrog


Chris, are you still going to call that a Toyota Truck?

I think the best term is "Rock Rail" sorta like Sand Rail but for the rocks.

I asked Shupe what he was running in Jellico. He was at 105"

I'm running 102.5 for 38.5x14.5 SXs....and currently have a 102.5 - which I think is about right, I will be lifting it an inch or two more and adding front 3-link w/ coils...then I'll push the front out another inch or so. I'm looking to keep it under 104.,..

http://dandcextreme.com/snoopy/snoop1.jpg

Wht about the Wagoner Machine Shop guys? They're at 115" - 130" and everyone says that they're unstopable.

J. J.

except for a set of cones. those big wheelbase rigs take a beating trying to make the next gate. i built mine right at 104 i think, need to get off my ass and finish it. but you are in the right area for 37/38'' tires. my opinion 2.5 cents worth

Originally posted by IndyCJ
I think that it's dependent on the size of tires that you are going to run.

36 to 38's - 100"

42-44's - 105"


i agree with this. my cj5 is 100" and i lengthened it when i was still running 35's. it was perfect. i still liked it with 38.5's but alittle more would not have hurt either. now with 42's i wish i was at about 104-105. just my op for the area's i wheel.

Wheelbase is like tire size, you always want bigger and longer :D

I was very happy at 100" until my friend drove the last waterfall on Upper Helldorado in his 120" Cruiser :mad3:

I have my rear wheelwells perfect on my Cruiser, no going back inthat direction, but I may try to eek 3-4 more inches out in the front with some new springs :D

Originally posted by patooyee
Wht about the Wagoner Machine Shop guys? They're at 115" - 130" and everyone says that they're unstopable.

J. J.

A longer wheel base will help in going up most steep hill climbs. I drove one of our customers rigs up Potato Salid Hill in Moab and with 120" wheel base, I could stop and start just about anywhere on the hill. I went up three different lines and it was clearly better on that hill then my truck even though it was built with all the same parts.

The deal is all of the comps I have been too have lots of twists and turns to them and long wheel base rigs can't run the course without taking out cones.

Guys look at Chris Durham, he's at 112", and that rig will climb like crazy on hills, but it doesn't do good in the tight spots. The Jellico events that Shupe is winning at are perfect for 105", hell Brian Hamilton's FJ-buggy was built by Durham and it's at 105" also. My rig is going to be built between 105" and 110", I'm hoping to find the right set of rear springs that I can reverse later on when I get 42's or 44's, but for now the 38's well be about 107" apart. There are a lot of BAD hell....hill climbs in this area so I want as much stability as possible (Guardrail comes to mind real fast).

I'm 107. Still think a couple inches less would agree with me just fine.

Originally posted by Jayrockn7
There are a lot of BAD hell....hill climbs in this area so I want as much stability as possible.

There are many more important factors involved in *stability* than just your wheelbase:rolleyes:

Originally posted by 350Samurai
I asked Shupe what he was running in Jellico. He was at 105"

is shupe on here? if so whats his username?
ya ya welcome newbie :flipoff2: get it out

Originally posted by oletater


is shupe on here? if so whats his username?
ya ya welcome newbie :flipoff2: get it out

I don't think he has a user name. If he does, he certainly never posts.

J. J.

Originally posted by oletater


is shupe on here? if so whats his username?
ya ya welcome newbie :flipoff2: get it out

I talk with the other Foothills store daily so if you want some info I can get it for you. F@ckin newbie :flipoff2:

Originally posted by bigdude


I talk with the other Foothills store daily so if you want some info I can get it for you. F@ckin newbie :flipoff2:

well he has a truck at the Travelers Rest shop that I want..by other store, do you mean the one in Greenville on Poinsett Highway?

My son is going with a wheel base of 106-110. With a Dana 300 and turning brakes, those tight turns are not that bad. He might run with 37's or 38.5's. Not bad for a Dodge D-50.

Rich

Originally posted by oletater


well he has a truck at the Travelers Rest shop that I want..by other store, do you mean the one in Greenville on Poinsett Highway?

The "other store" meaning the Greenville shop. I was just up there a couple weeks ago, what truck are you talking about?

Originally posted by wngrog
I was very happy at 100" until my friend drove the last waterfall on Upper Helldorado in his 120" Cruiser :mad3:Man, not doubting you.... but drove the last waterfall. I'd have to see video to believe it. I mean I've heard the rumors but......

There's a monster in Tahoe too, called Tahoe Tessie.

Originally posted by bigdude


The "other store" meaning the Greenville shop. I was just up there a couple weeks ago, what truck are you talking about?


I was there a few weeks ago myself. Its the gray 1 ton chevy sittin in the fence at the Travelers Rest shop. Has a ZZ3 350 crate, Chris told me they were gonna swap motors and sell it, he wasn't sure of a price. Maybe you remember the blue 79 Bronco on 44" Boggers w/ D60 & D70 that sat there for a while? I'm good friends with the guys who built it, and bought it back. Greg Bennett. Foothills kicks ass, I don't know if you know much about South Carolina, but we only have a few 4x4 shops and Foothills is probably the best. Ken and Chris are real down to earth guys and their shop/junkyard kicks ass. I've never been to the Greenville store, but I almost bought a Jeep there. I think it was Chris who told me that if I needed some serious fab done, to take it to the Greenville shop. That was before I decided to learn to weld. :smokin:

Originally posted by oletater



Foothills kicks ass, I don't know if you know much about South Carolina, but we only have a few 4x4 shops and Foothills is probably the best. Ken and Chris are real down to earth guys and their shop/junkyard kicks ass. I've never been to the Greenville store, but I almost bought a Jeep there. I think it was Chris who told me that if I needed some serious fab done, to take it to the Greenville shop. That was before I decided to learn to weld. :smokin:

I lived in Spartanburg for a little while and got to know Buddy (Greenville owner) really well. I now spot for him in the Eastern Rock Crawling Championships. They do very good fab work at his shop and I do remember that they were the only shop in town. Buddy is actually looking to sell his stretched TJ if you know anyone local whos interested. It's high though due to all the goodies (HP60s, 5.9L, etc.) Just wheeled the hush hole and Kens playground for the first time when I was there in June. That place is great. We're looking to move back there VERY soon.

Originally posted by bigdude


I lived in Spartanburg for a little while and got to know Buddy (Greenville owner) really well. I now spot for him in the Eastern Rock Crawling Championships. They do very good fab work at his shop and I do remember that they were the only shop in town. Buddy is actually looking to sell his stretched TJ if you know anyone local whos interested. It's high though due to all the goodies (HP60s, 5.9L, etc.) Just wheeled the hush hole and Kens playground for the first time when I was there in June. That place is great. We're looking to move back there VERY soon.

Thats where I live, Spartanburg. I live on the westside of town, Woodland Heights. That Stretched TJ is awesome, and their private course they have, from what I hear, is very nice.

I am gonna stretch my sammi another 6-7" and it will be right at 100-101".

Originally posted by bigdude
Buddy is actually looking to sell his stretched TJ if you know anyone local whos interested.

What's Buddy going to run in the comps?

J. J.

from the looks, im pretty set on the 102 to 104 length........ should do me right

Originally posted by patooyee


What's Buddy going to run in the comps?

J. J.

We're going to build a buggy :D It's the only way to go. I'll be moving there ASAP and we're getting serious about competing.

If we can't get stuff buttoned up by Sept. for the ERoCC finals then we'll run my YJ. It has ~100" WB :D to keep on topic. Wish it was a hair longer though.