Going Deeper Going Further
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 6:55 am
It's summer, I didn't snow wheel as much as I wanted this past winter however the winter before was epic. I had mentally planned to go to 37s/beadlocks this fall in preparation for 2019/2020 winter but wanted some input.
Current specs:
2016 Jeep JKU
fairly light, under 4,500lbs
35x12.5x15 General Grabber AT2 Load Range C
5psi
no beadlocks
Also have Bestop soft doors and soft top to shed close to 300lbs which I haven't snow wheeled with yet.
My experience is that my performance is above average of the similar vehicles I go out with (35" and 37" MT's; most on Jeeps). Haven't really snow wheeled with true snow wheelers; most are offroaders who like to go out every winter.
Areas I think I need improvement in:
1. larger footprint (air down more--->beadlocks)
2. ground clearance (37s)
I mostly end up just building a wall when crawling through the deep stuff.
These are what I see as my options:
1. Most obvious, 37s and beadlocks, likely another General AT or Milestar new AT they're coming out with. Hard to find a 37 in load range C if even possible. $4,000 PLUS drivetrain/axle mods.
2. Keep my 35" tire size and try to find, which may not even exist, 15" beadlocks that work with JK brakes. My current setup works great now and airing down to 1-2psi may be the edge that I need; but worse ground clearance and then no way to upgrade steering components. $ just the cost of wheels ~$1,500-$2,000
3. 35s, 17" beadlocks. Likely be able to keep load range C but have even worse ground clearance from airing down. Will seriously miss the sidewall of 15".
4. 37s, no beadlocks. Almost same cost as 1 but can't air down as much.
5. Tracks. Pretty much decided against this as it is also a road trip vehicle and trailering, etc.
What do you guys think?
Current specs:
2016 Jeep JKU
fairly light, under 4,500lbs
35x12.5x15 General Grabber AT2 Load Range C
5psi
no beadlocks
Also have Bestop soft doors and soft top to shed close to 300lbs which I haven't snow wheeled with yet.
My experience is that my performance is above average of the similar vehicles I go out with (35" and 37" MT's; most on Jeeps). Haven't really snow wheeled with true snow wheelers; most are offroaders who like to go out every winter.
Areas I think I need improvement in:
1. larger footprint (air down more--->beadlocks)
2. ground clearance (37s)
I mostly end up just building a wall when crawling through the deep stuff.
These are what I see as my options:
1. Most obvious, 37s and beadlocks, likely another General AT or Milestar new AT they're coming out with. Hard to find a 37 in load range C if even possible. $4,000 PLUS drivetrain/axle mods.
2. Keep my 35" tire size and try to find, which may not even exist, 15" beadlocks that work with JK brakes. My current setup works great now and airing down to 1-2psi may be the edge that I need; but worse ground clearance and then no way to upgrade steering components. $ just the cost of wheels ~$1,500-$2,000
3. 35s, 17" beadlocks. Likely be able to keep load range C but have even worse ground clearance from airing down. Will seriously miss the sidewall of 15".
4. 37s, no beadlocks. Almost same cost as 1 but can't air down as much.
5. Tracks. Pretty much decided against this as it is also a road trip vehicle and trailering, etc.
What do you guys think?