I have done the math but want to know from guys who have outboarded to 32" spring centers running narrow track (61" wms) axle what there turning radius is like running 35" tires on 8" rims with normal (3 to 3-3/4 backspacing). Does not matter but on a cj. It seems to me it would really hurt your turning radius. I have narrowed wide track axles before to get 27-1/2 spring centers and the turning radius was great, I have plenty of narrow track axles though and can't find a wide track with driverside drop. Don't want to go 32" centers and not be able to turn tight on tight trails. Just give me opinions, thoughts, and regrets. Thanks

I don't know why outboards would hurt the turning radius?

Because you are moving the springs out which in turn puts them closer to the tires. Well when you run larger tires and go to turn the tire hit the springs which hurts your turning radius. When you kep your springs in the stock location (27-1/2 on a cj) and go with wider axles you don't loose any turing radius as the tires are farther away from the springs

The confusion is that leaving the springs in the stock location on the wider axle forces you to move the springs outboard of the frame on a CJ. So the tire to spring distance stays basically the same from a stock CJ with a stock axle, to a stock Wagoneer axle under a CJ with outboarded springs.

Now, modifying a wide axle to place the springs in stock configuration on the frame of a CJ leaves a lot of room to improve turning radius to compensate for larger tires. It is the tire size and lockers that kill your turning radius.

With that said, I've got a wagoneer D44 with outboarded springs on my CJ with 37's and 15x10 wheels, and the turning radius is not great The tires are all over the springs with the steering stops on the knuckles extended all the way out. The turning radius was poor before I locked the rear, and even worse now. But, I made the choice to live with this because of the cost of building a custom axle.

Also, good, bad, or indifferent about turning radius is all opinions. I'm comparing my turing radius to my previous TTB front ended wheeler. Someone who wheeled a Superduty and now has an outboard sprung CJ on 40's may say the turning radius is great. It is a matter of perspective.

I did outboard my CJ and put Rubi D44's front and rear full width and have no steering issues so I can't speak to what a narrow track axle would do. I am running 35x16 on an 8"wheel and have no rubbing issues and the steering is fine.

I can now see where a narrower axle would rub the springs though.

Exactly it is really not about outboarding but more about large tires with the springs at there original location (32 inch centers). When building a custom wider axle and keeping the springs at 27-1/2 you reap the benifits of more distance between the wms and spring which allows for greater steering with bigger tires. I just want opinions on those who have outboarded with around a 60" wide wms to wms how there steering radius is with around 35" tires.

If you are leaving the springs in their stock location on the AXLE, you won't have problems. If you go moving the perches outward on the tubes (for what reason I have no idea) you will end up with turning restriction.
Travis..

Going wider simply increases your footprint and therefore decreases turning radius.

A good example - Suzuki Samurai...he stretched his WB 2.5" and had to add 1.25" spacers to not hit his springs with 33s.

The WB stretch changed his radius more than anything, however, both going wider and longer changes the ackerman angle. Stretching just has more of a dramatic change.

1st hand experience - when I switched to wider wheels my turning radius is now not as good...I really noticed just how crappy it is last time I was at Rausch on a super windy trail...I had to back up a couple times as much as a 4-door JK! Then again that was the last trip with that steering box - it was cooked.