Submission Information
Confused? E-mail your questions about trucks, 4x4s, 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
Locked Or Lincolned?
Question: I was hoping for a little help. I am debating on whether to put Detroit Lockers in my Scout or weld the gears. The shop owner that just put TBI on my Scout recommended that I get a get a pair of chromoly axleshafts and stronger U joints, and then weld the gears versus putting in Detroits. This is due to the poor handling characteristics of the Detroits on the street.
L.R.
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Other than cost I don't think welding your differential is a better idea than running a Detroit. A welded differential won't turn as tight as a Detroit and it will increase tire wear. Plus to weld a differential takes some skill, and if it fails you can end up with bits of steel in your gears which isn't good. Also a Detroit Locker isn't unruly if your tires are the same diameter and tire pressure. I've daily driven a lot of Detroit Locked 4x4s and it's weird the first time it unlocks with a bang, but eventually you get used to it and learn to enjoy the reminder. I vote Detroit over welded diff unless it's a low-budget build and the cost of the locker will break the bank.
Ali's Answer
Question: Is there a Web site where I can find out the largest size tire that will fit on a particular vehicle? I've found sites that give the OEM size, but that doesn't help those of us who have an extra set of tires lying around, and they look like they might fit. Specifically, will a set of 31x10.5R15LT tires on 15-inch wheels (from an older Bronco) fit on an '00 Explorer that originally had P255/70R16 tires with 16-inch wheels?
John C.
via nuts@4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Congratulations, this very issue has the best tire fitment chart of all time by our very own wise guy Ali Mansour. Check it out on page 42. As for your Explorer, the metric tires convert to a 30.5x10R16 so they are just a 1/2 inch smaller in every direction than the tires you want to swap on. Unfortunately, unless you are using wheels from a Bronco II, you will have a different bolt pattern. Early Broncos were 5-on-5 1/2, while Explorers are 5-on-4 1/2.
Recycle, Retread
Question: I'm curious if I could get some contact info on some of the companies that do the small tire recaps. I run a junkyard and am curious if I can become a seller for them and/or provide some tire casings for them. Any info is greatly appreciated.
J.R.
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Recaps are a great way to get some less expensive off-road tires. What used to be High Tech Retreading is now known as TreadWright (877.439.0759, www.treadwright.com).
Age = Knowledge
Question: Can Rick Pw and Fred Williams both give me an answer on this, because Rick seems like the "Jeep guy," and Fred seems like a "fullsize rig guy." I recently purchased an '81 Chevy pickup from my father-in-law that has a 350 motor and tranny, a Dana 60 front, and a 14-bolt rear. I also own a '69 CJ-5 with a 225 V-6, a Dana 27 front, and a Dana 44 rear that is pretty original except for 31-inch BFGs. I'm not sure if I should do some more mods to the Jeep like a lift, winch, and so on to make it the "ultimate trail mobber," or swap the Chevy big-boy parts into the Jeep and make it a big Ultimate Adventure-worthy rig? Also my buddy gave me his '96 ZJ with a blown tranny for free. Should I do the same thing I was thinking about doing to the CJ to the ZJ? And of course a part of me even wants to build up the Chevy and just sell the ZJ, because there's no way I could part with the CJ. I just don't have the time and room right now for all three.
Big Mike
via 4Wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Pw's off on some wild adventure for his 52nd birthday, so I'll have to give both our answers.
Pw's Answer:
Everyone needs a truck and a Jeep so sell the ZJ, spend the money on a tank of fuel for the fullsize, and use the rest to fill the cooler in the back of the CJ. Use the truck to haul home old Jeep parts; use the CJ to go exploring.
Fred's Answer:
Pull all the 1-ton parts out from under the fullsize and stuff them under the CJ-5. Stretch the wheelbase to deal with the automatic and larger transfer case. Add 38- or larger-inch tires, ram-assist steering, a full cage, and some long-travel suspension. This will of course require a lot more time and money than the Pw version, and this is probably why most of my projects are stuck in the shop while Pw is out on some wild adventure.