Anyone see any obvious flaws with my plans?
I'm convinced I want to run approximately 35" tires. At present, I'm leaning towards the MTZ's in 315/70R17 which measure out at 11.9 x 34.6 inches.
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels I'm planning to run them on the Mickey Thompson Classic Lock wheels, size 17 x 9 with 4 1/2 inch backspacing.
Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels These will go along with a full Donahoe suspension (front, rear, jounce shocks, UCA's).
Yeah, I know there's a risk of premature wear using 35's. I accept that. I'm probably gonna regear. In fact, I'm leaning towards eventually putting in an Atlas Transfer Case along with the regeared diffs. I've had MTZ's before and I like them. They may not be my absolute 1st choice, but I like that they run a little smaller than a true 35 x 12.5 and hopefully this maximizes the likelihood of fit. As for the Classic Locks -- I like the way they look. I really personally don't want the black steely look and the Classic Locks aren't too expensive, plus the part that's most likely to get dinged up is replacable (the rings). I realize these have a polished finish that requires some care and I'm not crazy about that, but I haven't seen a better alternative wheel -- I don't want to pay 400 bucks per wheel for off-roading.
As far as backspacing, my understanding is too much backspacing increases the risk of caliper clearance problems and UCA rubbing. Too little backspacing increases the risk of body mount rubbing because the wheel sticks out further and follows a wider arc when turning.
https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html I think if 4 1/2 clears it will be just right, but in all honesty I think I'd prefer a wheel with 4" of backspacing if I could find it. I really, really don't want to run spacers if I can avoid it.
I'd consider 18" wheels, but if by chance this all doesn't work out, the above setup gives me the option of going with 34" MT/R's instead.
As far as whether or not the 35" MTZ's will fit? Well, here's what I've found (and it's contradictory).
titan has stated that he has gotten the 35" MTZ's to fit with 17 x 9" Gear Alloy 713mb Double Pumps with 3" lift and body mount mod. He has only slight rubbing on the UCA's, but they are the stock ones. Here's his thread.
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...some-mods.html I don't know what backspacing those wheels have, but if I had to guess I'd guess around 4 1/2".
CO-Jeff states in this thread
http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...?highlight=mtz that the 315 MTZ's didn't fit on his setup with Donahoe's cranked up and Total Chaos UCA's and the body mount mod done, saying there was rubbing on the UCA's and the modified body mounts. I'm not sure which 315 he was referring to, either:
MTZ LT315/75R16 which measures 11.9 x 34.5 or
MTZ LT315/70R17 which measures 11.9 x 34.6
And I'm not sure which wheel he was using at that time.
I'm suprised, because lots of people have posted that they've been able to fit various approximately 35 inch tires. In fact, in this thread
35" ProComp Xtreme Mud Terrains although RocKrawler has had some problems getting his 34.7 x 12.7 (I think) Procomp Xtreme M/T's
Xtreme Mud Terrain to quit rubbing he has stated that the 35" BFG MT's he had on before these did not rub. And take note -- both the 16 and 17 inch versions of 35" BFG MT's measure a little larger than the MTZ's in both width and overall diameter.
Unfortunately, nobody in town stocks this stuff. So, my installer will have to order it in. I guess we should mount one wheel/tire and fully check out all the clearance issues before mounting the rest -- just in case there's a problem. That way I can send the unmounted stuff back and sell the mounted stuff.
Well, what do you all think?
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