Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

Do you have welded rod ends? If not, consider swapping out for them. Will save you an inch.

I haven't measure exactly, but I don't think my lower mounts are any more than 2" below the axle.

 

I am curious how you feel about your Hankook MTs? Would you buy them again? Yours are 295/75R16s correct?

 

I'm on my second set, very happy with them. I feel they were an improvement over the KM2s in road noise and handling, and just as good if not better offroad. No complaints on traction, and never had a sidewall issue even aired down to 10 or less. Load range D with 3 ply sidewall is nice too. Just don't expect the same tread life, they're softer and wear a little quicker. My first set was a bad example as I messed them up with a bad alignment. Current set has like 8k miles on them and look excellent.

Yes 295/75r16

 

These are one of several I'm looking at. These seem to be the least expensive of the group. I am not so concerned with tread life as I am with durability and traction. Everything else seems to be load range E too which I am not used to.

This size would also be a bit larger than the 33x10.5s I've been running so I sure there will be a lot of clearancing required. You did not have to tub correct?

 

Here is that exact tire, 295/75-16 next to a 285/75-16 in case you need a visual.
These are the Nitto Terra Grappler G2, not the Hankook, but the size should be similar.

 

True 33" and maybe a smidge more. Probably about an inch bigger than the 33x10.5s

No tubbing, but everything short of it. Lots of cutting and smashing involved. It's not your regular pinch-weld mod.

 

Thanks for the visual.

I'm not sure this is true. There's a lot of inconsistancy between brands.

Hankook says 33.6" and tiresize.com says 33.4 so they are not 33s in the typical sense. New BFG 33x10.5 are lucky if they are 32.5s.

Thanks for the feedback. All good information.

 

They are king 2.5 10s.. they already have the small rod ends on

 

And yeah, tire sizes are such a can of worms. Based on what most people consider a "33" the 295s are a "34".

Mine are 2.5x10 Kings. You're build shows the regular aluminum rod ends. You could still save another inch with the welded ends.

 

Hmm okay I'll definitely look into it then

 

Essentially, the size a manufacturer stamps on the sidewall is only loosely related to the size of the tire.

 

Yeap. My Cooper say 315/75/R16 which their spec sheet states is 34.6" and on the other side they say 35x12.50OD.

 

Is your topper bolted or clamped down? I can't seem to keep the rear from walking outward and I'm thinking about bolting it down instead of the clamps.

 

I'd use both. Bolts as pins to hold it in location though not really clamp it down. Clamps for the clamping force. The bed is 2 layers thick with about 1/4" between the 2 layers on the top of the rail

 

Just 4 clamps. Topper has never moved, although it's a lot lighter than yours.

It does have some foam double stick tape on the bottom, probably not very sticky anymore from taking it on and off all the time, but guessing it helps a little.

 

Oh, and not much going on in here. Tossed a Huster antenna on a hood mount to replace my broken Wilson. Bushings still squeak. Napa power steering pump is working well.

I've only put like 500 miles on it since the Utah trip.

 

Drill and tap the UCA gusset and add a greaser!

http://www.graco.com/us/en/products/industrial-lubrication/g1-plus.html

Get an input from a speed sensor and have it apply grease every X rotations!

 

I thought about that, but not confident how well it will work.

After I met up with you, I pulled the arms and greased them really well. Put as much grease as possible on the surface that contacts the gusset. It moved freely and was squeak free for about half a day of wheeling, and then got progressively worse as the grease works its way out.

 

My previous topper did the same thing though it didn't have the foam. Now I have the foam but it still moves. I think I'll try what @thefatkid suggested

 

Find a lathe, make the outer lip thinner and add a thin bronze washer between the gusset and bushing with grease. Or turn up the tunes and let everyone else hear the sounds of your people!