New shoes for a fat pig (DRW to SRW)

[Ozrockrat]

Some I get home from work after 3 weeks away and someone left me a little present.

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And what is this! Someone is working on them without me being there!!!!!!!

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And after having this happen to me I would sure appreciate some new rubber.

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I wonder if they are the same size??

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And will they fit??

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[Ozrockrat]

Just some background on what is the desired build for this vehicle and some of the reasoning for the modification.

We are building this vehicle up as our international rig. The intention is to run it around the USA/Mexico a bit then onto a few months in Central America as a final shakedown before shipping off to South America and other destination that have yet to be decided. It is not being designed as a 4wd trail type rig but more for any roads including the sort of 2 track roads that I grew up with in Australia. It does have 4wd but my theory is that this is only to get us out of trouble and generally if I need 4wd to get somewhere I should not be going there. If it comes to a choice between comfort and 4wd capability we will be taking the comfort route.

The ambulance as I bought it required remarkably little modification to be converted into a camper. We changed the bench for a sleeper sofa (custom made to our dimensions) and buggerall else.

But for our intended use I have a few issues:

1. The rear diff is too close to the ground to reasonably clear the center crown of 2 track roads.
2. Dual rear wheels do pickup rocks between the tires and the potential is to destroy 2 tires in one go.
3. Dual tires are an issue when running 2 track roads as they are always climbing either up the crown or the sides exposing the sidewalls to damage.
4. The dual tire trackwidth is obviously not the same as the front so you tend to clip the outside of the dual on obstacles.
5. I want bigger brakes because this is a heavy pig.

So after much deliberation I decided to switch to 19.5" commercial singles. Tires are rated at 6500 # each but the rims are only 4500 #. My rear axle is rated at over 9000 #.

After many discussions with Chris (UJOR) about options (excellent advice considering mine is a Quigley and I have never purchased any product or service from him. Yet!!). I decided to bite the bullet and pickup a set of used 19.5" Bridgestones M729 on Vision heavy hauler alloys. I stuck with 8 x 6.5 because my front axle is pre 99 and does not have unit bearings. And I don't have to put up the cash for adapters (until I convert the front end again). Plus I managed to find a deal on the 8 x 6.5.

With the limited time I had last weekend I managed to fit the rear ones without any problems. I did have to remove the locator pin from the axle so the rims fitted flush.

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After installing 1 tire

High side

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Low side

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The angle

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Internal rear fender clearance without modifications. (note the wire ripped out by the blown tire).

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With both tires on the back it is nearly level. (previously it had a prerunner look)

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[Ozrockrat]

Now my theory was to throw the wheels on the front, mark the fender for a little rework and then work out the rework required to finally fit them up.

Only one minor hiccup, the front wheel studs were bigger than the back (9/16). So I was unable to test fit. So next weekend I will be pulling the spacers, putting lugs in place of the spacer mounting bolts, drilling the rotors to allow the wheel studs clearance and then work out the body work.

Spacer that will be removed.

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Looks like a little fender work will be required. I did consider getting the fibreglass fender but after Chris's experience they will be a lst resort and only if I can pick them up in person. Luckily I am in LA regularly.

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Just to keep the juicy bits to the front of the thread. There was an issue with my axle not being a ford one. So no spacer! Had to get hubs etc and replace the dually ones. Here are a couple of photos of the new front hub setup and the wheel being test fitted. Details later in the thread.

So after much chasing around (ratio is 3 parts chasing bits to 1 part working at the moment).

From this dually setup:

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To this single setup using Dynatrac Pro 60 hubs and mostly new bits.

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For this result. Hmmm yes a little metal work is in my future.

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[SWbySWesty]

Good luck with the front end!

[hobietony]

A few things:

Some I get home from work after 3 weeks away and someone left me a little present.

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Your shop looks awesome!

With both tires on the back it is nearly level. (previously it had a prerunner look)

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That thing is HUGE

The ambulance as I bought it required remarkably little modification to be converted into a camper. We changed the bench for a sleeper sofa (custom made to our dimensions) and buggerall else.

A little more of this attitude, and I would have been done a long time ago.

I'll also second the 'Good Luck' on getting the fronts to fit. Those tires are a lot bigger than the stocks!

The whole SRW/DRW debate has been hashed out over and over, and most seem to eventually go to singles. That being said, I have had my rig on some pretty good trails, and haven't thought "this would be a lot better with singles". I also haven't gotten any rocks stuck, I suppose that ruining two BFGs at once could change my mind, but whatever, I've got a lot of tires to wear out before I need to make a decision again.

You still planning to go to Flagstaff in a couple of weeks?

[ujoint]

If your axle was forward a few inches things would be SO much better! Shall I pack a CK001 kit for my visit???

[Ozrockrat]

If your axle was forward a few inches things would be SO much better! Shall I pack a CK001 kit for my visit???

Ah man you are just trying to give us poor Quigley drivers an inferiority complex. But it is on the mods list, just a long way down until the coils prove themselves not up to the task.

Hobitony

Yep we will be up in Flagstaff. The main issue I have with duals is running on the sides of the wheel ruts. For running more technical trails they should not be an issue. Probably the main difference is that you are setting up your rig with the expectation on using 4wd. I will be using 4wd as a last resort. But man I do envy the clearance and articulation of your rig.

[blakeape]

Those are pretty big, what size tire did you end up going with in the 19.5 flavor?

[Ozrockrat]

Those are pretty big, what size tire did you end up going with in the 19.5 flavor?

Bridgestone 265/70R19.5 M729's. They are about 34.5" load range G.

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[Ozrockrat]

Good luck with the front end!

OK So far it sucks, I am going to need luck. Pulled the hubs to remove the spacer. It does not have a spacer!!!! OK the guy across the road who bought my 96 Advanced Adapters converted van is not home. I'll just whip off one of those hubs, make sure it fits and then I will get a couple of them. Nope it does not fit and for the privilege of pulling his hub off I get to repack both of his sets of bearings.

OK at least I can throw the wheel studs I bought into the old hubs. Nope they do not fit either. So it is being put back together until I can figure out plan D.