A bit of video from Slaughterhouse Gulch, CO

[Thor]

Howdy all,

A little video so I could see where I need to heat and reshape my new flares to stuff the 35x12.5r15's and Gulf Coast Rovers Steel wheels. Only the front and rear lowest edges need to be heated and tucked back just a bit.

I thought some here might enjoy it too. It was shot by my buddy Mike at a Trail Leader class sponsored by the Solihull Society for the Land Rover National Rally in Moab. It was taught by Bill Burke of Camel Trophy fame (cannot remember which year though).

Enjoy

Todd

[roverandom]

Nice Rover. One quick question, how do find the wider tire on your Rover? What I mean is the extra weight of a 12.5 as opposed to , say a 10.5? Acceleration / stopping etc. Have you noticed any significant changes on the trail in this regard?

[Thor]

Yes, I did notice a bit of difference. 35's don't like to go over 75 mph, or I need a re-balance. I have a tighter turning radius now because of the change in offset compared to the stock wheel I was running 285/75's on. I also cut 2-4 inches of body to install the 2" wide flares. acceleration is a bit slower, but not as bad as my old RRC with the 3.9 and 235/85's. The only tires sized 35x10.5 were Simex and Super Swamper which are heavy tires, heavier than my 12.5 GY MT/R's if I remember correctly. Hard braking I notice more tire only in the slight correction I have to give the wheel to stop straight, again not a huge issue.

Off road I'm generally in Low Range so the 4.3:1 Maxi Drive crawler gears don't seem to care much, in fact they were so low with the 285/75's I used high range between obstacles off road just to keep up!

All in all I like the 35" experiment so far. The rig was ready for them, so why not?

[Funrover]

Good vid, Truck is looking great!

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Funrover

Good vid, Truck is looking great!

Thanks FUN!

I was trying to be gentle with my articulation and slowly flex it more and more to find any interferences, well I forgot about that plan! I'm just really lucky no flares or other panels flew off!

The Roccia flares were a PITA to get, so Justin from Lucky 8 put me on to these Flexi flares.

[Funrover]

Yeah I helped with a set once...No way I would ever do that just for flares. Gonna have to see your rig in person sometime!

[llesra]

hey todd! the rover looks great on the 35s! i was thinking of hitting slaughterhouse later this week. how was the mud hole?

[gragravar]

that thing looks great. tell me more about your axles/diffs. If my rover doesnt sell soon I may have to work on upgrading mine.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Funrover

Yeah I helped with a set once...No way I would ever do that just for flares. Gonna have to see your rig in person sometime!

Once I ordered the Flexi set they were here in less than a week.

Install was another matter. I don't think my mechanic could ever be talked into them again! hahaha!

I really wanted to keep the rig looking tidy and have 35's. Dropping the kids off in a cut up rig would be funny! hahaha! Good Morning Dr. Pfortmiller, did vandals get to your car last night? No... I needed 35 inch tires, thanks for asking.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by llesra

hey todd! the rover looks great on the 35s! i was thinking of hitting slaughterhouse later this week. how was the mud hole?

Slaughterhouse is a great trail for a few obstacles to work the articulation. Some of the moguled out sections are pretty deep in spots!

Mud Hole? I Don't do mud! hahaha! We didn't look because we were in the trail leader class.

Thanks for all your help in planning the fitting of 35's earlier this year!

[Thor]

Originally Posted by gragravar

that thing looks great. tell me more about your axles/diffs. If my rover doesnt sell soon I may have to work on upgrading mine.

Diffs are stock r&p with ARB lockers front and rear.

Axles are Rover Tracks HD rear and Maxi Drive Front axle/CV that were cryogenically treated for strength.

A full write up of my rig is here.

Solihull Society Forum - Log in

[gragravar]

Originally Posted by Thor

Diffs are stock r&p with ARB lockers front and rear.

Axles are Rover Tracks HD rear and Maxi Drive Front axle/CV that were cryogenically treated for strength.

A full write up of my rig is here.

Solihull Society Forum - Log in

wow. I have a long way to go to get my rig in shape like that. thats awesome.

Bummer Jeff didnt like the install of those flairs. If I ever do them I'd be taking them to him.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by gragravar

wow. I have a long way to go to get my rig in shape like that. thats awesome.

Bummer Jeff didnt like the install of those flairs. If I ever do them I'd be taking them to him.

Thanks for the compliment. I love it too. Enough to use it as a daily driver... not that I have a choice! hahaha!

If you wait a little while for Jeff's memory to fade and the whole thing to slip into denial and get whitewashed I'd bet he'd do another set.

When will you hit the trail next? I think I'm in charge of Grizzly Lake out past Buena Vista on July 19.

[gragravar]

Originally Posted by Thor

Thanks for the compliment. I love it too. Enough to use it as a daily driver... not that I have a choice! hahaha!

If you wait a little while for Jeff's memory to fade and the whole thing to slip into denial and get whitewashed I'd bet he'd do another set.

When will you hit the trail next? I think I'm in charge of Grizzly Lake out past Buena Vista on July 19.

Not sure when my next opportunity will be. I have my inlaws out here the week from July 4-11th. We'll be hanging out in Summit County that week and I might try to take them on an easy trail up there. After that I am not sure. Kids activities have most of our weekends booked up through August.

[jimfoo]

Originally Posted by llesra

hey todd! the rover looks great on the 35s! i was thinking of hitting slaughterhouse later this week. how was the mud hole?

People aren't supposed to drive in the mud hole any more.
Todd actually on a trail, a rare sight indeed, and video to prove it.