Reader Rant
What’s With Wheels?
I have been reading your magazine since I was about 6 years old, many moons ago, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why anybody that actually takes their rig off-road would have any larger wheel than 18 inches. I know there are a lot of pretty boys out there and ones wanting to be super rappers with 24s and 26s, but I don’t see it. My Chevy runs best on 39.5s, and I want Boggers! I can’t find anybody that makes a good-looking 16.5 wheel; guess I have to go with a Bart or Eaton. Up until the ’90s they were all over the place. How hard is it to make something in a CNC machine nowadays? I would pay for good-looking wheels! Thanks for your time. Just aggravated trying to find wheels.
Bill Stagaman
Via email
Actually I like the look of Eaton wheels as well as Bart. But the 16.5 size is dying a rapid death; 18s are the new standard size. Looks and style always factor into design, as you have noted. But the biggest technical reason for large wheel sizes is the room needed for bigger disc brakes. This safer brake package dictates wheels, although 20s aren’t generally needed. We try to have a proportional size on our wheels. For instance, a 33-inch tire on a 20-inch rim just isn’t right because the sidewall is not good for off-road use, but a 42-inch tire and 20s seem just fine.
What Column? What?
I know I’m writing to the In Box, but nuts, I’m confused! In Mar. ’12 you did a feature on an incredibly cool Cummins-powered Wagoneer [“Powered-Wagon”]. This article states that the waggy is running a ’98 Ford high-pinion Dana 60. Last time I checked, Ford didn’t build any fullsize trucks in 1998 with the exception of light-duty IFS F-250s based on the F-150 platform. That was the break between the ’90s square body style and the ’99 Super Duty. Now, I was wrong once in 1994. Please say I don’t have to relive that pain.
Great mag. I have been a subscriber for years and will be one as long as Péwé welds in sandals.
Scott Anderson
Granite Falls, WA
I was wrong once too, but then I found out I was mistaken. It was also in 1994 while I was welding in sandals.
Tech Editor Fred Williams explains: The high-pinion is an ’89 Ford front axle. After ’91 Ford used ball joint knuckles, and this axle is a kingpin version.
Mighty Toyota Hilux
I’m an officer in the Philippines Air Force, and I’m proud to say that I’ve been an avid reader for years. Because I do not have a subscription to your magazine I sort of improvise on how to get a copy. A visit to the shopping mall would not be complete without grabbing two or three issues of my 4x4 bible. I do this by picking patiently on stacks of assorted magazines until I find yours. I can’t express how much I enjoy reading and learning from the articles. And because of your magazine I opted to buy my first 4x4. I’m a proud owner of an ’82 Toyota Hilux. It needs a lot of work to make it really look good, and I’m working on that thanks to your tips. I’m open to suggestions. If you have a spare license plate or stickers for an overseas fan, I’ll be glad to have them. Thanks, and more power!
Ariel Dickson Almeda
Philippines
You will find a whole story on building up a first-gen Toyota as a capable trail machine in this issue as part of our Cheap Truck Challenge (page 62). Lots of the info will be applicable to your ride as well. Thanks for taking the time to search us out!
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