Perfect wheel base.

[LT.]

So, I have now picked just about everyones brains about coil-overs now I am wanting to know what everyone thinks about the correct wheel base for Moab. The saying is that wheel base is everything. What do y'all think? I had a fella from the Planet 4X4 site tell me that somewhere between 112" and 116". Does anybody have anything different to say?

Thanks again for all your help.

LT.

 

[jdub]

Wheelbase + X = Perfect. You need to solve for X.

hint: X = tire size

What size are you going to run? 116'' and 33 inch tires means belly rub.

 

[cheepin]

What trails are you going to be doing?For the open slickrock trails.Like Hell's Revenge.I say the longer the better.But for tighter trails like Upper Helldorado I would stay more conservative.My current build(70 Jeepster)will be around 108".Should be pretty stable for the slickrock and still nimble enough for my main wooded trails here in CO.I guess it's all preverance.

 

[cheepin]

Wheelbase + X = Perfect. You need to solve for X.

hint: X = tire size

What size are you going to run? 116'' and 33 inch tires means belly rub.

I didn't even get into tire size.I will be on 38"ers for now.If you do go long skid the underbelly as smooth as you can.That way atleast if you hit you can slide over.

 

[Bucking Bronco]

I had a fella from the Planet 4X4 site tell me that somewhere between 112" and 116". Does anybody have anything different to say?.

This sounds about right to me as I am 114"

 

[BroncoMama]

There are advantages to every length from 102" to 117". It's all in what you want out of your rig, the size of tires you're running, and how low slung you are. We chose our wheelbase on the front tires always hitting the rock first and the rear leaving the rock last. For the beautiful Lemon Joy, that magic number is 113 inches of pure bliss. :chris: And just for the record, she runs Colorado trails, New Mexico trails, and everything in Moab. You can squeeze a big boned woman into a petite dress if you don't care about body panels.

 

[LT.]

I guess that I should have included more information. I am running 42" IROK's now. I am going to be running 44" Pitbull Rockers in the future. This is all for what is left of a 1985 Dodge Ramcharger. It started out as a 106" wheelbase but I will be purchasing FOA coil-overs and was wondering how far I should move the rear axle back. I try and run every trail in Moab. I am 0 and 2 for Pritchett , but, I think that I have just about done all the rest. I am missing Pickle, Rusty Nail, Cliffhanger, and I need to finish Kane Creek.

LT.

 

[rockreligious]

The perfect wheelbase would be adjustable with a lever so you could stretch for the walls and waterfalls and shorten up for tight turns or adjust so as to climb one ledge in a double ledge obstackle, but then you take the challenge out of it.

with 42's or 44's you can go long. Ive been running 104" but Im stretching to 109 now with 40's and a flat belly. probably anywhere from 108-115 would be good. also concider your steering radius. My hp44 didnt turn as sharp as my new hp dana 60.

 

[cannoncrawler]

wheelbase is one of those unpossible things to nail down. but 107-116 is good for most things

 

[Coreshot]

I'm happy with my 116" on 37s, it's perfect for sitting in my garage...

 

[mbryson]

I'm happy with my 116" on 37s, it's perfect for sitting in my garage...

My 101" works awesome for milk runs.

 

[notajeep]

I really like my 108" with the 42s. Rare that I rub my belly on anything, and I can still reach up the big ledges. Goes over everthing in Moab just fine.

 

[Mope]

Hopefully to not take it off topic, but what would you guys say is a good wheelbase for 33's?

 

[mbryson]

Hopefully to not take it off topic, but what would you guys say is a good wheelbase for 33's?

Depends. I'm not sure there's a "perfect" wheelbase for anything. I'd say if you have a good belly skid and good departure and approach angles you'll find advantages/disadvantages to whatever wheelbase you have.

I like 100"ish, but it's just that I'm used to that.

If you like to climb nasty obstacles, it seems the longer the better. I'm amazed what 114"ish wheelbases can climb.

 

[Mope]

I'm rockin a long 82 incher. I'd like to stretch a bit, but the wife says no choppity chop.
It seems everyone likes a minimum of 100.

 

[O'neal]

I'm rockin a long 82 incher. I'd like to stretch a bit, but the wife says no choppity chop.
It seems everyone likes a minimum of 100.

I run my old zuk at 90" reworked the rear skin's,hacked the corner's under the headlight's,run 37's and low at 20" at the frame.Wheeled great,although steep section's...esp off camber's were a bit nearving.

 

[Tacoma]

I get scared in Jeeps. 108+ for me. I think if I can I'm going to kick the back of the Blazer out about 1.5", maaaaaybe same on the front (if I run 40's, so probably not.)

The Blazer has 35's right now, on a 4" lift and some trimming. It feels good right now.

 

[DToy]

I'm at 118" on what's left of a 4Runner on 42's and fullwidth axles. I ran it for years at 106" on 37's up to 40's and it is way better with the wheelbase stretched 12". I have yet to find a time when turning sharp enough was a big deal. It climbs the steep stuff and waterfalls so much better...night and day difference. If I ran alot of tight trails with trees to wind through maybe I would like something shorter, but for what I run I love it.

Check out Goose' truck in the members' rides. He's somewhere around 122" on 42's.

 

[cjncustoms]

I just finished my jeep and i am 117 with 23" frame hieght and flat belly on 38's I havent hit the trail yet hence i just finished it up today but from my studying and watching other well built rigs mine should perform very well!!

 

[Greg]

My Wrangler isn't real comparable to the Ramcharger, but just to give you more numbers to consider... I'm at 104" WB with 18" under the belly and 40" tires. I already scrape the belly due to how low the Jeep is, I think if my wheelbase were 4-5" longer, I'd be screwed on breakovers. That said, I love how the 104" wheelbase works, steep stuff isn't that bad. Low COG helps there for sure.

IMO it's not about 'the perfect wheelbase'... it's all about the combination. Wheelbase, breakover, tire size, approach & departure angles, etc. If you can juggle the numbers and get the best balance of each, your Ramcharger will work quite well.