WHEELBASE FOR MUD????

[sdsmas1]

short or long? how short? how long? is there a right answer? im talking play bogger, not comp in any way.

[betterbeaters]

for a play truck as long as its fun who cares?   now I like short boxs and blazers.. but thats me. 

[Blazin40s]

for a play truck as long as its fun who cares?   now I like short boxs and blazers.. but thats me. 

[Blazin40s]

I feel that blazers Broncos and ram chargers have the best wheelbase for wheeling of all types

[sdsmas1]

should i bother shortening my 79 f150 short box?

[Kyle]

If it means goin putta ur way for work, no way. Ur not gonna see that big of a difference IMO... only way i see it being better is: less wheelbase, less frame, less weight. But then drivelines suffer if its too short

[betterbeaters]

if its a short box leave it and move the motor back it will help

[BAD APPLE]

In most peoples opinion the shorter the better, the closer you can get the rear wheels to the cab the better try to distribute the weight evenly

[Hammerlane]

pro's n' con's to each..

long =  increased flex due to frame twist, helps keep tires on the ground in off camber situations but increases chance of component breakage, also allows improved obstacle navigation and overall stability as in mud "racing"

short = decreased flex yet improves "stepping"  ie.. reduced chance of high centering the rig, improves tight spot navigation but also makes the vehicle less stable and more prone to roll over.


more important is
approach/departure angles.. this is the amount of overhang in front of and behind the axles..
shorter is better.. it increases the angle to which you can "approach/depart" an obstacle.. this is big in the rock crawling world.. but also plays a part in all off road events.

substantial departure angle - as in a long box chevy.. increases the chance of the frame/hitch assy etc.. to impact the ground which leaves you high centered or wheels off the ground.

typically - shorter is better both in wheelbase and approach/departure angles.. but too short presents it's own set of issues, the trick is finding the right mix for the type of off road use. 

[J.C.]

Small tires/short wheelbase, huge tires for long wheelbase if its muddin imo

[lilred]

tracks.

[BAD APPLE]

Jc what's your theory for the smaller tires for short wheel base and big tires for long wheelbase

[sdsmas1]

thanks guys, love the input

[85cHeavyMetalBogger]

long wheel base with big tires becomes short wheelbase?

[Jjay78]

i run stock length long boxes... good u joint angles with lifts and not tippy with the steeper trails... but thats me

[lilred]

stock height lil tires and 2wd thats one way I roll. The other way is like this ->

[sdsmas1]

stock height lil tires and 2wd thats one way I roll. The other way is like this ->

i like your tracks idea better...lol

[J.C.]

Jc what's your theory for the smaller tires for short wheel base and big tires for long wheelbase

when I had this jeep,

it always felt like i was gonna tip it when on a small hill, or in a mud rut. i think because the high center of gravity, combined with short wheelbase is why. if it had smaller tires, without the lift(basically stock), center of gravity wouldnt be nearly as bad

when I owned this truck,

it felt ALOT more stable, i think because it had 2x the footprint.

I guess i dont like that feeling that i might tip it, when really its on a 5 deg angle.     

best truck i have ever driven, 4x4, low center of gravity is a HMMWV. AM General did a pretty good job!

[sdsmas1]

if its a short box leave it and move the motor back it will help

how much does this really help? im not opposed to this at all but wanna know it will be worth the work.

[betterbeaters]

my buddy moved his bbc back 7" and ran a 10 bolt with 44s for 2 years no broke parts. so I would say it works lol I am moving mine back 12" it will balance the weight better front to rear and help keep the front up