I might have missed it in a previous post, but is there a reason there are two different wheels?
A lesson learned—keep it light and nimble!
- Thread starter Irun
- Start date
I might have missed it in a previous post, but is there a reason there are two different wheels?
OP
I run a set of JL 255/75R17 tires and wheels when wheeling. At 15 PSI they measure exactly 31". The other set of 31x10.50R15 wheels and tires are my daily driver set. Those measure closer to 30" at 26 PSI.
No they aren't...lol Other than them being black and the same bolt pattern.. 
The ones on the rear look like exatly like the JK wheels on the 2016 I use on my mail route. The ones on the front look like JL wheels.
The ones on the rear look like exatly like the JK wheels on the 2016 I use on my mail route. The ones on the front look like JL wheels.
OP
The original wheels came from a JT, which only had 4. The Right Rear is the spare, which came from the a JK. The current spare will be swaped, when there is time.
Ok so you have an odd man out spare!! Gotcha...
OP
I'll caveat this post with the following:
- This is just based my experience with East Coast wheeling
- Driver technique is critical to success, and
- There absolutely is value in a larger tire build
I'll start by saying I'm claiming success on this 31" tire build. Two wheeling seasons into the build and I've just completed all the Black trails at Rausch Creek. This past trip focused on the West property, which included a run up Beaver Creek and the other smaller numbered trails. In addition to the Blacks, I took a second short trip on the Red trail, Rock Creek. While I've done all these trails on 35s, doing them on a 31" tire required a different tactic, i.e. I had to get out walk parts of the course on foot and carefully pick my lines, without having a spotter. Truth be told, I had the benefit of watching the vehicles I was with go through first, which made it easier to know what to do, and, more importantly, what not to do!
I did however struggle in some locations. This is largely because I'm locked in the rear and running a Detroit TrueTrac up front. While I haven't once had to pull winch line, I did have to take multiple runs at some obstacles to clear them. And, in a couple cases, my foot was heavier on the throttle than I'd like. However, we did just have a bunch of rain dumped on us, including raining heavily about 1/2 of the first day I wheeled. The HP30 I've built with the Eaton E-locker will help in this area though. The other undeniable limitation is the lower differentials and lower control arm mounts. This is something I find myself continuously watching for and never taking my eye of the trail.
What's the bottom line here? Easy, you can build a highly capable rig on 31" tires (Caveat...this is a true 31" tire) that will exceed most drivers skills. In fact, I'd argue, based on lots of seat time, that a smaller tire build will make you a more focused driver and teach you the importance of projecting a line, then navigating it to success. You also have to be willing to spend both the money and time needed for success. Interestingly, every person who looks at my Jeep says exactly the same thing, i.e. why am I not running larger tires? My response lately has been, I can run every trail I want to run with the tires I have. I then proceed to show them that I can keep up on the trails they don't think I could make. In some cases, watching them get winched of an obstacle.
To be 100% clear, none of this is about bragging. I know my place and limitations. It's simply about telling others that you can wheel hard with smaller tires, but you still have to build like your on bigger tires. At this point, other than the locker up front, there isn't anything I'd change.
- This is just based my experience with East Coast wheeling
- Driver technique is critical to success, and
- There absolutely is value in a larger tire build
I'll start by saying I'm claiming success on this 31" tire build. Two wheeling seasons into the build and I've just completed all the Black trails at Rausch Creek. This past trip focused on the West property, which included a run up Beaver Creek and the other smaller numbered trails. In addition to the Blacks, I took a second short trip on the Red trail, Rock Creek. While I've done all these trails on 35s, doing them on a 31" tire required a different tactic, i.e. I had to get out walk parts of the course on foot and carefully pick my lines, without having a spotter. Truth be told, I had the benefit of watching the vehicles I was with go through first, which made it easier to know what to do, and, more importantly, what not to do!
I did however struggle in some locations. This is largely because I'm locked in the rear and running a Detroit TrueTrac up front. While I haven't once had to pull winch line, I did have to take multiple runs at some obstacles to clear them. And, in a couple cases, my foot was heavier on the throttle than I'd like. However, we did just have a bunch of rain dumped on us, including raining heavily about 1/2 of the first day I wheeled. The HP30 I've built with the Eaton E-locker will help in this area though. The other undeniable limitation is the lower differentials and lower control arm mounts. This is something I find myself continuously watching for and never taking my eye of the trail.
What's the bottom line here? Easy, you can build a highly capable rig on 31" tires (Caveat...this is a true 31" tire) that will exceed most drivers skills. In fact, I'd argue, based on lots of seat time, that a smaller tire build will make you a more focused driver and teach you the importance of projecting a line, then navigating it to success. You also have to be willing to spend both the money and time needed for success. Interestingly, every person who looks at my Jeep says exactly the same thing, i.e. why am I not running larger tires? My response lately has been, I can run every trail I want to run with the tires I have. I then proceed to show them that I can keep up on the trails they don't think I could make. In some cases, watching them get winched of an obstacle.
To be 100% clear, none of this is about bragging. I know my place and limitations. It's simply about telling others that you can wheel hard with smaller tires, but you still have to build like your on bigger tires. At this point, other than the locker up front, there isn't anything I'd change.
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I've said this in the past, but I've had the most fun wheeling on 31's.
I am completely satisfied on 31s but there are some trails in AZ I would not be able to pass due to ride height limitations.
Plenty of times I’ve impressed those I’ve wheeled with.
My opinion is a majority of Jeeps here are overbuilt and often find JLU rubicon drivers unwilling to try simple obstacles.
Plenty of times I’ve impressed those I’ve wheeled with.
My opinion is a majority of Jeeps here are overbuilt and often find JLU rubicon drivers unwilling to try simple obstacles.
That is a great analysis Irun. I decided to stop at 33" although I built for 35". Still need to regear though.
Driver skill is where its at.
Driver skill is where its at.
OP
Forgot to mention this, but if you have a Savvy cable shift, check your bolts! I got stranded on the trail for over 30 minutes. All but one of the bolts ripped from the rubber bushings. Normally, I carry a set of extra nuts and bolts, but somehow when I packed up my gear I missed them. Thankfully, someone else in the group I was with had some, so I removed all the rubber grommets and hard mounted the mounting bracket to the tub. It really sucked when it happen, because I couldn't move in any direction. When the bracket came loose it wedged in the yoke of the front driveshaft and had me stuck. Lesson learned, check your bracket bolts!
OP
Getting caught up on after wheeling damage/issues.
- LF lower control arm came loose and was moving back and forth 1/2" in the mount
- Rear lower spring perches clearanced, again, for shocks
- SwayLoc heim joints cleaned (One is damaged and needs replacing
- odd wheel now rotated back to spare tire location
- Brakes on all four corners disassembled, cleaned, and made good again
- Front hubs cleaned up and repacked with grease
- LF lower control arm came loose and was moving back and forth 1/2" in the mount
- Rear lower spring perches clearanced, again, for shocks
- SwayLoc heim joints cleaned (One is damaged and needs replacing
- odd wheel now rotated back to spare tire location
- Brakes on all four corners disassembled, cleaned, and made good again
- Front hubs cleaned up and repacked with grease
I have not quite read all of the near 2500 posts so I may have missed it 
You say light and nimble, so how light is light?
I have not weighed mine after the recent mods. But last time I weighed mine it was empty, no back seat, no me and was 3,780lbs.
For the first time ever I'm making an actual effort to not built a fat pig. My last crawler was 7,060lbs empty
You say light and nimble, so how light is light?
I have not weighed mine after the recent mods. But last time I weighed mine it was empty, no back seat, no me and was 3,780lbs.
For the first time ever I'm making an actual effort to not built a fat pig. My last crawler was 7,060lbs empty
Ahhh, that may be my front axle weight…
OOF
I never weighed my fat girl front and rear. But I would guess that just the drivetrain and bias ply 42s weighed as much as my TJ
Ahhh, that may be my front axle weight…
Have you ever weighed your rig in it’s current state, or are you scared to find out?
Have you ever weighed your rig in it’s current state, or are you scared to find out?
Weighed it coming back from Moab in April. 20,100 pounds.
But, that included the truck, trailer, me and my brother…
OP
I have not quite read all of the near 2500 posts so I may have missed it
You say light and nimble, so how light is light?
I have not weighed mine after the recent mods. But last time I weighed mine it was empty, no back seat, no me and was 3,780lbs.
For the first time ever I'm making an actual effort to not built a fat pig. My last crawler was 7,060lbs empty
My last weigh was just over 4200 lbs. That includes me, a full tank of gas and 165 lbs of gear in the back (with no backseat).