dont forget the beer cooler mod....its VERY important during every 4x4 trip

 

Dont forget front AND rear recovery points....

An aussie locker would be fine, I ran my 38's with it and it didnt break, but they dont make Aussie's for 1 ton axles. Cheapest ive seen was around $400 for a lock-rite, i think. If its strictly a mud truck weld the spiders, if not I'd go with a selectable.

Also if your truck is stock...you will need a lift to clear those 37's. Depending on how big you go, extended driveshafts, brake lines, all that good stuff. Then you could get on the subject of chromo'd axles, 35 spline upgrades, premium hubs, u-joints.....the list goes on and on.

Hell, if your going "HARDCORE" might as well throw on some rocks and be done with it.

Seriously though, if its truly some HARDCORE wheeling, 37's might not cut it. Honestly, like 75350 said, it depends on your defininition of hardcore. Something that is extreme to you, may not be for me or the next guy. Figure out what will suit your needs and get it. If it doesnt hold up, you know what your next mod will be....

 

dont forget the stuff to bring along on these HARDCORE trips. parts that are likely to break, tools, hi-lift jack, water, some extra fuel, onboard air, tire plug kit, trans or gear oil, motor oil, J-B weld, tape, tow straps (or the like) flash lights, saws or ax, first aid kit (a good one). anything you might need. the farther you go off the path, the more likely you'll need these things and others.

 

I have hooks bolted/welded to my frame. Same as my bumper. I have two pretty big bolts that would probably keep my bumpers on with no problem, and then they're welded for extra security.

As for the beer cooler, I don't drink and wheel.

The truck is my DD aswell. I won't be TOTALLY screwed if I break something. There's other trucks laying around I could drive, but if I have the choice i'm driving my F-350. So for the mostpart, not going to weld the spiders.

HARD-CORE in my definition, deep mud/water and snow when its winter. I've never wheeled in sand but would if I got the chance.

Probably won't deal with rocks at all. Maybe something in the trail but its not a rock crawler. I hate rock crawling. "I can drive up a rock. OMG"

How does water get into your diffs besides the breather? A buddy of mine routed his lines up and he still got them full of water.

I don't have any on-board air. But i'm really considering it. I do however have my spare tire. The truck was never lifted in my possession or my dads. But apparently it was at some time because it will clear the 37's just barely.

As for the things to bring. Didn't really need them listed but incase your curious i'll list what I always have in my tool-box or center console.

Set of all the tools needed to make repairs my truck. A couple different first aid kits. Hi-Lift, USUALLY water, motor oil, transmission fluid, tape;electric-duct, tow strap, chains, flash lights, axe, shovel, tarp and fire extinguisher just incase!

The 37's are as big as i'm going right now as its still my DD. When I get a car i'll get 44's for it.

As for the roll bar I do not have one. ATM I have nowhere to put it really. I have a tool box and smoke stacks that come up in front of it. I would like to invest in a cage though. As i'm on alot of hills with the chance of rolling it.

Back on the locker area, I have no idea what spools are. :P

I THINK I got to everybody?

Thanks. Keep em' coming.

 

reseach some on pirate....
But if you dont want to weld then you dont want spools. selectable locker is your best bet, but its goin to be spendy.

 

Well i've only heard bad things for rigs that arn't full time welders and get welded.

 

honestly .. i dont know...thats just what ive been told...did seem a little fishy since half the stuff stock on the truck is welded to the frame haha

 

Your not supposed to weld to the frame if you suck at welding.

 

Would you weld a truck frame with a 110v mig? - Weld Talk Message Boards

I guess it depends where you weld on the frame.

 

welding the gears is a home made spool. both lock the wheels together. if your gonna go through snow, you might wanna add chains to the list and maybe some sand or kitty litter.

 

I agree with alot being said in there. But If your welding recovery hooks near the end of the frame, then it shouldn't be a big deal, IF (read: IF) You are a GOOD welder.

 

hmmm well do you think a journeyman welder is a good enough welder hehe...ill probably just bolt up my recovery points and winch when i get it

 

If you are not sure if you should do it, then you probably shouldnt, but if you feel comfortable with it then feel free.

 

Ok. If this truck is a DD, Dont wheel it "HARDCORE". It will break. Guaranteed!

If your 37's "barely" fit, depending on how close they are, you will run into issues there too. Your going to rub anf flex and its going to throw that tire into your fender and probably do some good damage. Instead of investing money on lockers and on-board air, and all that stuff that isnt neccassarly needed, you probably should buy yourself a lift to get the tires to fit better.

 

If I go in the snow, its cause I want to go quote wheeling unquote. Not that I have to and will get stuck. If I do get stuck i'll winch out or shovel out. I'm not packing kitty litter. >_>

Well they fit fine. Couple inches of clearence on the back and plenty on the front. If it comes down to it i'll just cut my fenders off. No sense putting $600 into a lift kit to get those couple inches when I could cut it off.

As for welding, I doubt I will weld the gears. And incase your wondering I have a pretty big arc welder and a wire feed.

As for the thing about breaking it. I'm not rock crawling, running oversized tires or doing anything like that. I beat the hell out of my truck but I doubt it will be off the road for long. Both doors are smashed and I need new U-Joints on my front end. Thats about all the problems I have though.

Sure i'm not going to wheel it like i'd like with some $50,000 rig BUILT for wheeling. I will with what I have.

Run the axles untill they snap. I don't plan to put rock's on it.. probably ever, I doubt i'll have tires that need them anytime soon.



However... if somebody would like to send me some big tires....