35x12.5R18 on Performance Orientated Lift - a Overview, Procedure, and Review.

[boogielander]

This Is the way.....

doing it correctly is the way.

 

[yax4]

Man, fantastic write up and fantastic rig. Summarized in one page things that I spent weeks looking for! I've got a '24 Big Horn 4x4 on the same Methods with 35x11.5 Falken AT4s. I went with the Eibach Stage 2 kit all around. Some KSP UCA's until I change them to something better soon. Not afraid to admit my truck spends the majority of time on pavement, so on road comfort was what I was more focused on. Definitely trying to gear toward long road trips during ski season.

Anyway, I'm wondering what your alignment readout looks like? My dealer can't seem to get mine right. Originally they did OEM "Steel, non-lifted" alignment parameters with the 2" spacer pucks on 33" AT3Ws, which drove really well for E-Rated, 10-ply tires.

The current setup is aligned within the "Lifted Rebel / Off Road" parameters with the Eibachs at a moderate lift (2 5/8") with 35x11.5 AT4Ws, C-Rated, 6-ply.

It seems the major difference is about a degree difference in Caster. In the first setup (2" lift w/ 33s) it was near 5.1*/4.8*. The current readout after abut an additional 1/2" of lift in front and 2" larger tires is 4.1*/4.3*. Other parameters are all nearly the same.

Seeing if you, or anyone else with a similar setup, has dealt with this? Get a decent amount of seat/wheel vibration and dribble between 30-40 and 65-75 mph. No clank, noise, or otherwise. Steering is a little bit sloppy feeling. No real drag one way or the other. Just trying to get to the culprit of the issue. It could be tires, it could be alignment, it could be something else. Should note, the tires balanced (Road Forced) fine with scores all under 25, granted, it took 2 tries.

Thanks!!

 

[boogielander]

Man, fantastic write up and fantastic rig. Summarized in one page things that I spent weeks looking for! I've got a '24 Big Horn 4x4 on the same Methods with 35x11.5 Falken AT4s. I went with the Eibach Stage 2 kit all around. Some KSP UCA's until I change them to something better soon. Not afraid to admit my truck spends the majority of time on pavement, so on road comfort was what I was more focused on. Definitely trying to gear toward long road trips during ski season.

Anyway, I'm wondering what your alignment readout looks like? My dealer can't seem to get mine right. Originally they did OEM "Steel, non-lifted" alignment parameters with the 2" spacer pucks on 33" AT3Ws, which drove really well for E-Rated, 10-ply tires.

The current setup is aligned within the "Lifted Rebel / Off Road" parameters with the Eibachs at a moderate lift (2 5/8") with 35x11.5 AT4Ws, C-Rated, 6-ply.

It seems the major difference is about a degree difference in Caster. In the first setup (2" lift w/ 33s) it was near 5.1*/4.8*. The current readout after abut an additional 1/2" of lift in front and 2" larger tires is 4.1*/4.3*. Other parameters are all nearly the same.

Seeing if you, or anyone else with a similar setup, has dealt with this? Get a decent amount of seat/wheel vibration and dribble between 30-40 and 65-75 mph. No clank, noise, or otherwise. Steering is a little bit sloppy feeling. No real drag one way or the other. Just trying to get to the culprit of the issue. It could be tires, it could be alignment, it could be something else. Should note, the tires balanced (Road Forced) fine with scores all under 25, granted, it took 2 tries.

Thanks!!

hmm not sure what alignment spec was like since I have no idea where I threw the sheet.
BUT, the shop we take to aligns it back to OE spec iirc and it drives straight as an arrow.

regarding onroad comfort: that's where the DSC comes into play lol setting mine for on-pavement mode is as comfortable as it gets and I also have the ability to take corners and pass cars and stuff going up and down the canyons. It's not sports car like in terms of handling, but it definitely fares better than stock or other regular traffic vehicles.
You can see more about it in my suspension thread here: Fox 2.5 DSC Suspension - A Brief Overview, Procedure, and Review of Proper Suspension Setup

 

[Agostino]

Are you running the front at the full 3in? i read a comment you did on a different thread saying it was a stiffer ride at 3in.

 

[boogielander]

Are you running the front at the full 3in? i read a comment you did on a different thread saying it was a stiffer ride at 3in.

nope i left it where fox left it and it's around 2" compared to non Rebels and non ORG for maximum droop and suspension travel.
set it to 3" you will have less suspension travel and less droop.

 

[Ready Go]

nope i left it where fox left it and it's around 2" compared to non Rebels and non ORG for maximum droop and suspension travel.
set it to 3" you will have less suspension travel and less droop.

I concur, and Justin at Accutune also told me recently that the 883-06-166 are 2-3" advertised, but you really don't want to go over 2.5" to avoid what you describe.

 

[boogielander]

I concur, and Justin at Accutune also told me recently that the 883-06-166 are 2-3" advertised, but you really don't want to go over 2.5" to avoid what you describe.

yeap exactly!
oh and when you order accutune, i highly recommend go with their most aggressive tune you can get even if they tell you not to. that happened to my friend on his taco and let's just say our group will never use them ever.

 

[Ready Go]

yeap exactly!
oh and when you order accutune, i highly recommend go with their most aggressive tune you can get even if they tell you not to. that happened to my friend on his taco and let's just say our group will never use them ever.

Very good to know, thanks!

 

[luckysomer]

I see RAM TRX wheelsets floating around at a reasonable price. This set comes with 50% tread tires. Would they work as a substitute under your setup (or mine, Stock 2021 Rebel), or is the offset incorrect without spacers? I like your setup. Perfect for Utah / Wyoming. Need to follow your recipe. Not against the missions (it would be my first after-market pick), but I'm leaning toward keeping a stock look if possible, plus trying to manage the $$$. So much you can do to a stock Rebel (Ordered a Lone.Peak Overland Camp Top production complete date scheduled for late May. )

It looks like the factory 2022 TRX wheels have a 19.05mm offset. Will the Truck be drivable before I get the Fox 2.5 DSC and the Carli UCAs. Thinking I would get some rub on full

 

[boogielander]

I see RAM TRX wheelsets floating around at a reasonable price. This set comes with 50% tread tires. Would they work as a substitute under your setup (or mine, Stock 2021 Rebel), or is the offset incorrect without spacers? I like your setup. Perfect for Utah / Wyoming. Need to follow your recipe. Not against the missions (it would be my first after-market pick), but I'm leaning toward keeping a stock look if possible, plus trying to manage the $$$. So much you can do to a stock Rebel (Ordered a Lone.Peak Overland Camp Top production complete date scheduled for late May. )

It looks like the factory 2022 TRX wheels have a 19.05mm offset. Will the Truck be drivable before I get the Fox 2.5 DSC and the Carli UCAs. Thinking I would get some rub on full

that's a negatory.
you will need -12mm or 4.5" backspacing at the very least to clear Carli UCA with 35x12.5. You can run spacers to bring the numbers right, but honestly I don't trust spacers at all especially if you do offroad hard (I've had people tell me spacers are fine, but i've seen and dealt with customers' bad decision making). That said, if you want to run TRX or stock wheels, you CAN with spacers. despite I don't recommend it.

Don't hold your breath for the lone peak lol my buddy ordered one and it kept being pushed back despite i told him. he ended up selling his truck and got in a Story Teller Overland Sprinter BEFORE the lone peak was done. I also thought about lone peak before I went GFC. Let me just say GFC is the ONLY one that is capable of handing jumps and whoops, and the stress of going highway speed on washboardy terrain.

How the truck currently sits. Taken at the end of 13k miles trip to Alaska and Arctic Circle from Socal.
Picture taken at Bonneville Salt Flat. I have about 800lb (i estimate) in the bed. Still sits pretty level with Carli rear springs. This was last August/ September.

Currently I feel like my front end had sagged after about 40k miles of boogie, whoops, offroading, road trips, and stuff. It's got about 300-400 lb of constant weight in/ under the cab (full armor, sliders, fridge, power stations, waters, drinks, floor plate that I made and other stuff). I'm going up spring rate next week.

Fox comes with 450lb springs in the front, it did feel perfect when I only had the basics, no armor no sliders, no floor plate, etc but now I bottom out way too much while playing.

 

[luckysomer]

Rethinking the 35s. Looking at the BFG K03 in a 295/70/18 that will be a solid 34. Are the TRX and Rebel wheels the same factory offset? Like the black factory look. Would the 295 still need a spacer in the factory wheels? hate the idea. Would they be -6mm? ~$2k

Sounds like the Fox 2.5 is a great platform. Would you recommend a 500 or 550 coil if you are adding a wench and hidden mount (Hidden Winch Mount | 5th Gen | 2019-2024 RAM Rebel) and balance load of some sliders
Thinking parts are running $5K would $1k in labor cover the install IYO? ~$6k

I hope LPC will come through. I completely agree that GFC have the best bracing for an offroad cap / tent. I will likely get a local fabricator to beef up the bracing in the LPC that should help some.

GFC LPC 90 x 56 = 35 sqft for $12k
LPC 120 x 56 = 46 sqft for $8k (33% more floor tent area before the rear pop out which looks to add another 50+% volume. I'm 6'5 so space is a good thing ) The $4k goes a good distance on the suspension.

Sliders ~$1K, Winch / Hidden Install / Lights $3k, Ancker Frig & Power souce ~$1K, DYI Storage ~$1K = $20k project

 

[boogielander]

Rethinking the 35s. Looking at the BFG K03 in a 295/70/18 that will be a solid 34. Are the TRX and Rebel wheels the same factory offset? Like the black factory look. Would the 295 still need a spacer in the factory wheels? hate the idea. Would they be -6mm? ~$2k

Sounds like the Fox 2.5 is a great platform. Would you recommend a 500 or 550 coil if you are adding a wench and hidden mount (Hidden Winch Mount | 5th Gen | 2019-2024 RAM Rebel) and balance load of some sliders
Thinking parts are running $5K would $1k in labor cover the install IYO? ~$6k

I hope LPC will come through. I completely agree that GFC have the best bracing for an offroad cap / tent. I will likely get a local fabricator to beef up the bracing in the LPC that should help some.

GFC LPC 90 x 56 = 35 sqft for $12k
LPC 120 x 56 = 46 sqft for $8k (33% more floor tent area before the rear pop out which looks to add another 50+% volume. I'm 6'5 so space is a good thing ) The $4k goes a good distance on the suspension.

Sliders ~$1K, Winch / Hidden Install / Lights $3k, Ancker Frig & Power souce ~$1K, DYI Storage ~$1K = $20k project

TRX and rebel should be same, if not similar, offset. they are positive offset so doesn't matter which one it is, you'll need spacers. i hate spacers as well, so just do -12mm wheels lolll

im actually swapping mine to 600lb springs this weekend. no winch, no bumper. just sliders and full RCI armor, fridge, my fat as*, and power station on top of regular supplies (water, etc). in your case 550 should be plenty enough, if you prefer a firmer ride on road. if not 500lb should be ok.


Pricing circa 2023. Install should be around $1000 for suspension and mounting and balancing of tires.

if you don't run it hard on trails then lone peak with custom bracing should be ok. My usual group is a bunch of track junkies and some of them hold records, and that driving talent transfer over to offroading so I gotta make my truck as solid as it gets. Some of us also run with a group of HD ram guys (some of them are actively involved in the race teams or fabrication), and usually they cross the entire mojave desert in a day whereas average pace for regular folks is 3 days. We just ran Henderson to Laughlin all on dirt and did it in like 3 hours with stops lol. They run at least 3.0 shocks with truss and those kits start at $10k... some are even running 4.0 shocks and caged truck. When I run with them im at the back of the slow group, even with $5k throw in for parts already. Can't keep up with the fast ones, but then it's at the best of both worlds. Can go faster than 90% of the folks out there, while still have the capability to go long distance (IFS benefit) and camp comfortably without worrying about the camper falling apart LOL

I'm 5'9" and when i'm in the camper i have like at least 6 inches of space (head to tent all and toes to the wedge). I'm not sure about how LPC aftersale is, but technically my camper is out of warranty already (I did buy mine preowned, for about $5k) BUT they warrantied everything when I had issues (i mean, it's preowned unit so of course... some problems gonna happen). when I stopped by their HQ in Montana on a Saturday unannounced, they replaced the seals and lubed all the latches on the camper for free. Got free merches (I stopped by to pick up merch for my friend but ended up not paying for anything), free red bulls (they have a fridge full of red bulls and they told me to fill my fridge LOL), and free pizza lol

man... you don't want to know how much I spent on parts only lol $20k is totally budget!!