Confused? E-mail your questions about trucks, 4x4's, and off-roading tech using "Nuts, I'm confused" as the subject and include a picture (if it's applicable). Digital photos must measure no less than 1600 x 1200 pixels (or two megapixels) and be saved as a TIFF, an EPS, or a maximum-quality JPEG file. Also, I'll be checking the forums on our Web site (www.4wheeloffroad.com), and if I see a question that I think more of you might want to have answered, I'll print that as well. Otherwise drop it old-school style with the envelope addressed to the address below. Letters published in this magazine reflect the opinions of the writers, and we reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, or other purposes.
Write to:
Nuts & Bolts
4-Wheel & Off-Road
6420 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048-5515
fax 323.782.2704
E-mail to:
nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Question: After deciding to build a "Roam in Ur Home" (Sept. '06) kind of truck, I came to a roadblock. In the photos it shows a Silverado with a lift, Nitto tires, and American Racing wheels, but the article doesn't explain what size lift, tires, or wheels you have. I would also like to know what year the truck is since I'm taking a road trip and that truck and setup would be perfect.
Caleb R.
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: The Red Sled trail/camping project has a 6-inch Tuff Country (www.tuffcountry.com) suspension with a bit of fender trimming to fit the 37x13.50R17-inch Nitto Mud Grapplers (www.nittotire.com) on Teflon black 17x8 American Racing Mojave wheels (www.americanracing.com). The Mud Grapplers are great off-road tires, but I'll warn you they are not the quietest tires for highway use. The backspacing is 4 1/2 inches. The truck also has ARB (425.264.1391) Air Lockers front and rear, a STaK 4x4 (915.584.2400 ) three-speed transfer case, B&M transmission (818.882.6422), and an ARB bumper with Warn winch (800.910.1122). More upgrades are coming in the future, so stay tuned. By the way, this body style was used by Chevy from '88 to '98.
Question: I have an '87 Jeep Wrangler and I am buying a new transmission and transfer case to go in my Jeep. I live in Auburn, Alabama, and I was wondering if you could tell me if there are any good 4x4 shops in Alabama. I would like to take it to a good shop. That way I know it will be done the right way.
Danny W
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Off the top of my head I can think of three shops in Alabama: The Off Road Connection in Fultondale (205.841.2493, www.offrdconnection.com), Blue Torch Fabworks in Dothan (334.673.2755 www.bluetorchfab.com), and Frankie's Off Road in Rainbow City (256.413.8300, frankies4x4.com). I am sure there are more, and would suggest looking in your phone book as well, but I have spoken with the owners of each of these (Keith, Dan, and Frankie), and they have all built reputable 4x4 vehicles in the past.
Question: My dad's '55 Willys pickup truck has been a family affair for a few years now. We men work on it but my mom hates it! We are trying to make it as safe as possible to drive and park. One issue is the emergency brake (since it has rolled into a fence or two). We have been trying to source an emergency brake, since it's a manual and takes a while to warm up. The local shop says they can't help us. Is there someone who sells a kit?
Bret Gadbury
Cheyenne, WY
Answer: Ah yes, trying to build the old rig while keeping Momma happy is the eternal conundrum, but I agree making it safe is a great way to appease the boss (Mom) if you know what I mean. Check with Kaiser Willys (888.648.4923) in South Carolina or Willys America in California. They both sell restoration components and should be able to help track down the parts to return your e-brake to stock. Another option is Lokar (877.469.7440) or Genie Shifter (877.743.6643) for aftermarket parking-brake levers and cables to help keep the truck in one place.
Question: I am a 20-year-old college student in Arizona. I have an '89 Chevy Suburban 2500 with 12 inches of lift and 42-inch Swampers. I also put fiberglass prerunner fenders from Hannemann to clear the tires while wheeling. Whom could I contact for a 20-inch or higher lift-spring kit? I want to run 49- or 54-inch Swampers. I built the entire truck myself and I want to lift it very high because I use it to go into rivers and pull out the idiots in stock trucks. I was also wondering if anyone makes a snorkel kit for my truck or would I be better off making one out of PVC pipe or the like?
Chris
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: My '86 Chevy has a 4-inch lift and 37-inch tires. If I had another 8 inches of lift I think I could fit about 16 more inches of overall tire height. That would be 53 inches. But I also like to trim body panels and keep the truck as low as possible. In fact I really want to see a stock fullsize truck, no lift, with tons of trimming or fender removal and 54-inch Boggers. Heck, why can't you have the tires sticking up above the fenders? Of course that would keep it low and stable and in your case under water. I think the best way to go is ditching the leaf springs for some sort of custom coil or airbag/link suspension since extremely arched leaves don't ride as well. Since you're in Arizona I would recommend 4-Wheelers Supply (602.273.7195) in Phoenix; they have an excellent fab shop and they could build you a truck to run 54-inch tires that would work great off road. They specialize in rockcrawlers and desert trucks, but for the right price I'm sure they could get 54s under your Suburban. If you want a second opinion, contact the guys at Chuck's Trucks (407.650.3802) in Florida. They build really tall trucks for deep mud and they will definitely have some pointers. If you are dead set on leaf springs, contact Atlas Spring (626.333.7373), Alcan Spring (888.321.0870), or Deaver Spring (714.542.3703). These companies can build custom leaf packs and should be able to help you out. Don't forget that 54-inch tires can be abusive to 1-ton axles, which I hope you have already upgraded to, so you might want to also step up to 2 1/2-ton axles. As for the snorkel, you'll be making that yourself because no one currently has an offering for your truck.