Perfect Wheelbase?

[Cascadia]

So I've been thinking about my next rig, and hopefully it will be a longer term rig this time. Usually I can't seem to last more than a couple months with a rig. I don't know why. Anyways, I'm trying to plan ahead this time. I'm planning on a YJ after my current rig sells cause it's a cheaper starting point than a TJ. Eventually I want to link it but for now I want to push the front axle forward a couple inches and the rear quite a bitwith leaves.

I'm wondering if I push the front forward 2 inches, how many inches should I push the rear back? And what's the best way to do it? My LJ was 103 inches. Would you go longer or shorther? I thought it was near perfect but might want to go a tiny bit more. I know I will have to deal with the tank and wheel wells but I already have plans for that. It will also have a 60 in the rear and at least a 44 in the front.

It will be used for rocks and Moab. What do you think a perfect wheelbase on a Wrangler is?

 

[xtremexj]

I guess it depends what kind of wheeling you do. I run 106" on my XJ and it works very well for most of the trails I run up here in Canada. However, when I'm down in Moab I would like to have more for some of the larger steps and waterfalls. For this reason, my buggy is going to be somewhere between 111-114" with 42" rubber. Hope that helps.

 

[Cascadia]

Hopefully it will be on 40's. Is that wheelbase attainable with leaves without lengthening the frame?

 

[YROC FAB.]

Wheel base is based off your tire size, and driving habits. steep ledges and nasty hill climbs longer is usually better. tight turns and close obsticals shorter for sure. 100"-105" for 37 is generally accepted.

 

[LT.]

The perfect wheel base is kind of like having the perfect tire. It just does not exist. As soon as you think you have the perfect set up you will run into something you just cannot get over. It is just going to happen. For Moab I was told some where between 112" and 116". The fella who told me this is on Planet 4x4 and his sign on name is Ricochet. He and his wife are the coolest folks I know of and could not be more laid back. My next vehicle will be around 114" and on 42's. 106" would be good on a 40.

LT.

 

[Cascadia]

The reason I'm trying to figure this out now is because I already have a pair of corner guard blanks. I only want to cut the panels once so I want to keep the same wheelbase for the leaves as when I have the links. I hate the look of huge wheel openings but I've got no problem with a good looking comp cut. I like Benjy's jeep. What's your wheelbase at Benjy? I know yours is more custom than mine will ever be but I love the look of yours!

 

[STAG]

I think a good combo for stuff I like is 105-110" wb, 19-22" of belly ground clearance and 37-40" tires, those rigs with these specs seem to do well.

 

[zukijames]

belly height has a big part to do with it .. i think gooses wb is around 120 but his truck his pretty tall and it has 42's .. hes climbed everything ive ever seen him try..

mine is 113 and 37 inch tires.. 17.5 inches to my belly.. as you can guess i get hung up alot..

my next build will be 113 with 40's and a 20 inch belly

that being said i think 108 wb and 40s with a 19 inch belly would be perfect for almost everything!

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm at 105.5" right now and love it, but only on 33's at the moment.

 

[sixstringsteve]

my tacoma was 122 at moab, and it never felt long to me. It could climb some nasty ledges. I like 115 personally (which is why your blue truck is 115). My new rig is at 102", and I wish it were longer.

 

[Chevycrew]

The truck Ive been working on is at 106 now, and he is looking to make it 120" on 38's. Learning from living in Moab, he has his reasons.

 

[zukijames]

i agree for moab longer is nice lowers the pucker factor for sure. but again it depends what you wanta do.. 120 wb might make some trials to easy as where a 79.8 inch wb samurai could have a blast on the same trail..


im 113 and low .. love it for almost everything.. i cant climb white knuckle hill though.. and ive seen longer and shorter less built rigs go up it .. if my wb was 2 inches shorter or my belly was 2 inches higher i think it would go up it but oh well.. no one rig can be perfect for everything

 

[cheepin]

My CJ buggy is at 108"WB,19" belly(but will be raising the drivetrain sometime)On 38's which I would like to go with 42's.

 

[Coco]

I think you should keep your truck but that is just me

My truck is at 116, it was at 114 before I put the RUFs on, which wasnt bad, but I wanted the front axle forward. I like it. On steep stuff it rocks!

 

[UNSTUCK]

My cj7 is at 102. The front is moved forward about 2 inches like you were thinking. You'll have to move the tank up top to go that far back on the rear. I built a rear cross member for it and mounted the shackles to it. With the rear leafs I have I was able to reuse the spring hangers. Worked out pretty well.

 

[Goose]

Anything you choose has a give and take. Shorter is better for some things &
& longer is Better for others. I've always wheeled longer rigs,they always seemed
To climb big ledges and steep climbs nicely. But I also love big boulders and tight canyons,
& my 120" WB doesn't have the maneuvering ability that a rig with. A 110wb has.
So I've kept my truggy a little tall so that I can still play in the giant boulders.
My oppinion is that it mostly depends on what type of wheeling you enjoy and what type of rig you
Enjoy driving. I personaly like a WB in the range of 112 to 118. Which means
Ill be shortening mine 2 or 3"

 

[Bart]

Like has bee said, it all depends. My comp buggies were all 100 to 102. They could climb the Eagle's Nest, but struggled on the Waterfall at the end of Upper Helldorado. My Willys buggy was 110" and it climbed everything first try. Eagle's Nest, Upper Helldorado, the waterfall at the top of Greenday, Back Door at the Hammers... It was unbelievable. I think 120" would be a bit long for some things, but great for climbing.

As for my TJ, I would love to get it to 102 or 103 and keep it legal, but it is soooo much work to push the front end forward 5". I know it's crazy, but I've been thinking of going to leafs up front to make it easier, and this is after I've bought most of the parts to long arm the front.

 

[rockreligious]

I think a good combo for stuff I like is 105-110" wb, 19-22" of belly ground clearance and 37-40" tires, those rigs with these specs seem to do well.

this is where I am, 108" wb, 23"belly, 40" tire and full width, axle width also plays into the equation...this formula works for me, but Im not streetable and my wheeling style may be different from yours.

 

[skippy]

Im at 106" wheelbase with a 25" flat belly on 42s I want to be around 110 after I link the front end

 

[mesha]

The perfect wheelbase is just a few inches different than whatever your current wheelbase is.

I like 108-115 on 40-44s with a belly height of 19-23 depending on WB. right now I am 108WB, 23BH, on 40s and going to lower it.