HMMWV wheels...

carwash · 04-06-2009, 08:43 AM

I thought he was crazy for it as well, seemed useless and a wast of money until he explained it to me... then it all made sense.

The cost of the kingpins to rebuild his current front axle (which it's in need of) is the same as the cost of a HP60... so why not do it then? And with 4wd, no worries anymore about where you park and if it rains. When i was towing years ago with a 2wd dually ford, i was stressed every time we hit livingston or slade. wondered if i would make it out after the weekend and rains were done.

KargoMaster · 04-06-2009, 09:36 AM

Yep... it's just a "why not go a little more and create more capability" thing... The kingpins for that I-Beam solid front axle that it has now are $$$$$... like a quick $500 worth... The Load Range F steer position 19.5 tires are almost another grand brand new... That's right, more than $400 a piece for good new ones (although you can find unbalancable, wobbly crap from China for less... I'll pass)...

Got the Ford NP205 for a steal... (so good, I bought two even) ...and yes, there's bits and pieces that will add to more than just the kingpin cost, but in the end I will eliminate some issues that I have, and have more capability for things like winter weather and piece of mind.

On the rear of the 4L80e right now is a massive drum driveline break... I believe it is a source of vibration in my driveline, along with the three piece rear driveshaft... two different types of carrier bearings (keep in mind that this was converted to crew cab from reg cab... massive RV/bus frame splice)... I'm thinking that they work against each other once that vibration starts from the drum... (only happens at about 65-70mph... but peak cruising speeds when in traffic)

So potentially, I shorten up the rear driveshaft when I put in the tcase, bring the complexity of the rear shaft down to two piece... and I've created a very unique monster of a truck that didn't break the bank (it is 14 years old) that has gobs of capability and a safety factor that makes me confident that my family is safe while traveling...

In, thanks for the chance.

blazerbrad · 04-07-2009, 08:53 AM

Definitely agree that having a 4wd tow rig is nice, especially a heavy dually like this one. I grew up doing site work construction and helping on farms and quickly found out that 2wd duallys are about the worst vehicle out there in regards to mobility. Many people think that by having 4 rear tires that makes them better, but generally not the case especially in mud as the duals just turn into one giant drag slick.

My personally tow rig is 4wd and can't count the number of times I've needed 4wd when towing the trailer. I would even consider my truck on the higher end capabilitiy wise in 2wd because it has an effective rear limited slip diff and good tires. There have even been times when I'm still on gravel but need 4wd and/or low range to get around.

KargoMaster · 04-07-2009, 10:18 AM

Thanks for the support Brad... much appreciated...

After an experience in some sand up in Michigan on a vacation... I came to realize that the 90psi load range F tires don't exactly allow for the most possible traction...

So that all led me to the dually front end and the HMMWV tires... the challenge now will be tucking that 60 up under Big Red without a whole lot of lift.

(the 86-91 spring pad distance of 36.5 should allow for some creative shackle placement... and like just about everything I own, it will likely be over built, although on this truck, that's gonna be tough)

04-06-2009, 08:43 AM	#1
carwash pimpin' IS easy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Union, KY Posts: 3,344 Images: 605	I thought he was crazy for it as well, seemed useless and a wast of money until he explained it to me... then it all made sense. The cost of the kingpins to rebuild his current front axle (which it's in need of) is the same as the cost of a HP60... so why not do it then? And with 4wd, no worries anymore about where you park and if it rains. When i was towing years ago with a 2wd dually ford, i was stressed every time we hit livingston or slade. wondered if i would make it out after the weekend and rains were done. __________________

04-06-2009, 09:36 AM	#2
KargoMaster Cleaning off the rust... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,009	Yep... it's just a "why not go a little more and create more capability" thing... The kingpins for that I-Beam solid front axle that it has now are $$$$$... like a quick $500 worth... The Load Range F steer position 19.5 tires are almost another grand brand new... That's right, more than $400 a piece for good new ones (although you can find unbalancable, wobbly crap from China for less... I'll pass)... Got the Ford NP205 for a steal... (so good, I bought two even) ...and yes, there's bits and pieces that will add to more than just the kingpin cost, but in the end I will eliminate some issues that I have, and have more capability for things like winter weather and piece of mind. On the rear of the 4L80e right now is a *massive* drum driveline break... I believe it is a source of vibration in my driveline, along with the three piece rear driveshaft... two different types of carrier bearings (keep in mind that this was converted to crew cab from reg cab... massive RV/bus frame splice)... I'm thinking that they work against each other once that vibration starts from the drum... (only happens at about 65-70mph... but peak cruising speeds when in traffic) So potentially, I shorten up the rear driveshaft when I put in the tcase, bring the complexity of the rear shaft down to two piece... and I've created a very unique monster of a truck that didn't break the bank (it is 14 years old) that has gobs of capability and a safety factor that makes me confident that my family is safe while traveling... In, thanks for the chance. __________________ brad 5.0L \| 435 \| 203 \| 300 \| 4.10 \| 39.5 Buildup BACK underway...

04-07-2009, 10:18 AM	#4
KargoMaster Cleaning off the rust... Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,009	Thanks for the support Brad... much appreciated... After an experience in some sand up in Michigan on a vacation... I came to realize that the 90psi load range F tires don't exactly allow for the most possible traction... So that all led me to the dually front end and the HMMWV tires... the challenge now will be tucking that 60 up under Big Red without a whole lot of lift. (the 86-91 spring pad distance of 36.5 should allow for some creative shackle placement... and like just about everything I own, it will likely be over built, although on this truck, that's gonna be tough) __________________ brad 5.0L \| 435 \| 203 \| 300 \| 4.10 \| 39.5 Buildup BACK underway...

04-07-2009, 08:53 AM	#3
blazerbrad - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 831 Images: 6	Definitely agree that having a 4wd tow rig is nice, especially a heavy dually like this one. I grew up doing site work construction and helping on farms and quickly found out that 2wd duallys are about the worst vehicle out there in regards to mobility. Many people think that by having 4 rear tires that makes them better, but generally not the case especially in mud as the duals just turn into one giant drag slick. My personally tow rig is 4wd and can't count the number of times I've needed 4wd when towing the trailer. I would even consider my truck on the higher end capabilitiy wise in 2wd because it has an effective rear limited slip diff and good tires. There have even been times when I'm still on gravel but need 4wd and/or low range to get around.