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Question
whats the biggest tire size that should be used with 1/2 ton axle's?
George,
This depends on the size motor, and how heavy your throttle foot is. I run 35x12.50x15 Baja Claws on my Jeep, and it had a Dana 35 in the rear, and still has the stock Dana 30 in the front. I have seen people run 38" tires with few problems in the smaller rigs, but they tend to drive slow, pick good lines, and don't get the tires in a bind. I finally went with a Ford 9" in the rear, as the Dana 30 has a problem with weak axle tubes, and bend. This can be corrected by welding in some braces, or gussets. My problem was that by the time I found this out my tubes were already bent. I, usually replace worn or broken components with the strongest, and heaviest that I can afford at the time. This seems to be a standard practice with everyone that drives a true off-road 4x4. Use what you have, and upgrade when you can.
I would find out what differentials you have, and go from there. If you are running Dana 44's or larger, then you should have no problems with 35's, unless you're running a lot of power and like to use it. Another factor, is, if you like to jump the rig and run it hard.
Most drivers end up with Ford 9", or Dana 60s if they run extreme tires and run the rigs hard.
It all boils down to your experience, and how hard you are on the vehicle.
Carl
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Carl Brandt
Expertise
Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.
Experience
40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range.
Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland.
Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.
Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's
Cal 4-Wheel
Corva
UFWDA
Blue Ribbon Coalition
Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics
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