New project

[HB 4X4]

Small update:

ARB transit bag, combo filters for my LF 240 Blitz', and I moved my sliders up since the body lift. I'll hopefully get pics of the lights next weekend when we do a night run. They are a necessity for anyone with the 240's; the light output on these lights still amazes me.

 

[K.C.]

Which lens did you use for the last pictures?

 

[eskimochaos]

/drool

 

[HB 4X4]

Which lens did you use for the last pictures?

The last night pictures I took were before I had the Lightforces.

 

[Uneek]

The last night pictures I took were before I had the Lightforces.

I think he meant camera lens. :

 

[HB 4X4]

I think he meant camera lens. :

Oooooooooooooooo :biggrin2:

That would make more sense. For most of my mod pics I am lazy and use my point and shoot. Lately I have been busting out my Nikkor 12-24mm on my D300.

Another mod I forgot:

Adjustable rear end links:

 

[MCL_68]

Thanks! The PIAA's were just too small.

I definitely agree !!!! imp:

 

[eskimochaos]

Josh..this was a long time ago but....how does it ride compared to stock on the street/highway.

How big of a power loss is there?

Have you weighed it yet? My guess is your at about 5200lbs w/ a full gas tank.

 

[HB 4X4]

Josh..this was a long time ago but....how does it ride compared to stock on the street/highway.

Much better than stock. It's much more controlled and a much smoother ride.

How big of a power loss is there?

I didn't notice the 285's too much, but I did notice a small hit. However, I went from a 265/70/17 to the 285's, so it was a smaller difference. If you went from stock size to 285's you would definitely notice.

Have you weighed it yet? My guess is your at about 5200lbs w/ a full gas tank.

I am probably somewhere between 400-500lbs over stock which would put me around 4,900-5,000. Of course I am estimating the crap I keep in back (fridge, tools, etc).

 

[HB 4X4]

Build Update:
External CB speaker for the Cobra 75 WX ST. Great unit, but not very loud on it's own.

Sliders moved up to accommodate the body lift.

New meats: LT285/70/17 GY Duratracs. I was originally looking at BFG KO's vs. GY MTR's w/ kevlar but found these as a great middle ground. Better traction than BFG KO's and better road manners than the MTR's. They ride like an AT while having the aggressive tread of an MT. Love them so far.

Waiting to install:
Kurtfab reinforced diff bracket, just waiting for the rain to stop.
Solar panel
Battery charge monitor to prevent overcharging

I'll try to get some pics up after the rain stops. For now, here's a teaser:

 

[proudrunner]

HB 4x4 as always can't wait for your other mods.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Very nice me likey the paint!:bravo:

 

[HB 4X4]

Duratracs, LT285/70/17

Initial impressions are very good. They ride better than the Nitto's even though I stepped up to an LT. I attribute this to the Duratracs handling the load better. I think the Nitto's were too squishy, so although these are firmer, they actually rock the truck less over speed bumps, driveways, etc which gives a smoother feel overall. Potholes feel slightly stiffer, but I am running them at a higher psi which I may adjust. Normally maintained roads feel just as smooth.

I will post up after I get some highway miles on them, and after I take them off-road. So far I am extremely happy with the purchase, and I have great expectations for them.


Duratracs vs. Nitto's... It's more of a slaughter than a comparison...:ak472:

The pictures still don't do them justice but you can definitely see the difference. :thumb3:

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Good choice in tires. They look great and handle just as well.

Five months with mine and I've been happy every second.

 

[MCL_68]

Sweet...nice to see them finally mounted....

Don't know if it's the pic or not but the Duratracs look larger than the old Nittos....

 

[K.C.]

Those Duratracs looks amazing!!

I always thought the NTGs look wimpy.

Be sure to write a post review on them once you take them offroading.

 

[Maz]

Beautiful job, just beautiful.

Reading some of the reviews of the Duratrek they talk about the tire "wandering," that is not holding a very good line while driving staright. As I recall these comments were most strong from people who identified themselves as driving heavy rigs with diesel engines or full sized 3/4 ton pickups and such. Have you experienced any of this?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Beautiful job, just beautiful.

Reading some of the reviews of the Duratrek they talk about the tire "wandering," that is not holding a very good line while driving staright. As I recall these comments were most strong from people who identified themselves as driving heavy rigs with diesel engines or full sized 3/4 ton pickups and such. Have you experienced any of this?

They are Duratracs, not Duratreks.

There is no wandering with theses tires. Like you said only 3/4 ton pickup owners were commenting on this

 

[HB 4X4]

Basically what Clemsonfan said... The only reviews about wandering or the sidewalls feeling squishy are from the over-sized trucks. They have virtually flawless reviews for trucks similar to ours (Xterra's, Tacoma's, 4Runners, FJ's, etc). This is why I did my research on forums rather than tire rack. I wanted a narrower field to pull my info from.

The issue is that the tires usually have one load rating per size. The 285's come in a D load rating, which is PERFECT for my truck. Some of the full-sized trucks were running them with their truck loaded up, and towing while using a C or D rated tire. The E rated seem to work fine for those applications. It seems to me like it's buyer's error more than a flaw in the tire.

 

[rook]

Beautiful job, just beautiful.

Reading some of the reviews of the Duratrek they talk about the tire "wandering," that is not holding a very good line while driving staright. As I recall these comments were most strong from people who identified themselves as driving heavy rigs with diesel engines or full sized 3/4 ton pickups and such. Have you experienced any of this?

Wandering happens when a wider tire with a more open tread lug pattern is put on. Basically, the lugs grab onto road imperfections and move in that direction.

In the case of heavy duty pickups, they come stock with a smooth tread - highway tire and are typically tall and narrow. Thes type of tires provide good straight line stability and predicatble cornering. When the owner moves to a duratrac or other agressive at, there will be some on road performance loss and the driver will notice it.

When you look at the Duratrac tread, the crosshatch tread pattern is in the middle, that will provide decent on road feel while providing some straight line stability. The tread blocks on the shoulder will provide some bite while cornering, but the open pattern will be more of a benefit off road.