east vs west (standard vs hood river) 172
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Topic: east vs west (standard vs hood river) 172
Posted By: corpod172
Subject: east vs west (standard vs hood river) 172
Date Posted: 19 Apr 2018 at 10:52pm
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I live in Colorado. My local dealer wants 20K to order a 172 HRE. but I see listings in Missouri for a 2019 172 for $13,999, and a 2018 HRE in Wyoming for $15,500. What causes these huge price differences? Is anyone in the loop on the real differences between east and west production?... I have been doing some digging and it seems the new east version has the same two steps, 15" wheels, maybe different tires?... not sure about the lift/ground clearance... please let me know if you know the real differences. I'm guessing the Indiana plant might produce more and have an advantage in terms of volume lowering cost?... thanks in advance. |
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 5:13am
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As far as I know the HRE has the diamond plating in front and around the wheel wells as well as the more "burly" looking off road tires that the Indiana versions don't. Also ground clearance is supposedly a bit higher with the HRE. That is all. Floor plans and and everything else - no difference. Seems like a huge price differential for only a few differences.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 7:03am
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+1 that is my understanding also. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 7:19am
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The ones built in Goshen, Indiana do have the "diamond plate" protector on the front but not on the wheel wells. It is painted black and the body above it is also painted black and fades into the gray color of the roof on the blue models. On the older green models, the diamond plate ended and transitioned immediately to the off-white of the roof. I don't know about the even older ring models though.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 7:30am
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I think I've heard that the Indiana versions all have axle risers now -- I'm not sure. If that's the case, the larger tires give the HREs about another 1/2 inch of ground clearance. Depending on how you feel about how much added protection the diamond plating offers, as far as I understand, the differences are just cosmetic. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 7:53am
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Our 2016 RP179 has 14" wheels and does have the risers. I thought that all the R-Pods now come with 15" wheels, whether HRE or Midwest editions. The axle was reclocked to supposedly eliminate the need for risers, but I have read that the reclocked axle does not raise the R-Pod quite as much as the blocks did. So some people have added blocks to the newer ones for additional ground clearance. Other than the more aggressive tires on the HRE edition, it is my understanding also that the differences are mainly cosmetic. Some have said that the construction quality of the HRE editions is a little better also but I can't verify that. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 9:20am
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I picked up my 2017.5 RP-172 in april 2017. It was the first run blue pod, with the blue roof. I "believe" everything after that was lifted, and came with 15 inch tires. I think if you check on the tire sizes, you'll know if its "lifted" 14 inch tires, not, 15 inch tires is lifted. As i said, I "think" that is all true. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 9:55am
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As for the OP question of prices I believe if I was you, corpod172, I would be looking at traveling to buy your Pod since your local 20K sounds awful high to me. Remember this if your local dealer is an authorized Forest River dealer you can always get your Pod serviced by them no matter where you buy it. You can also take any price you find such as in Missouri and offer them to beat or match the price if they want a sale? At most the only price difference between a HRE and "standard" non HRE Pod should be no more then a few hundred bucks.
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 10:16am
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However, don't count on a dealer servicing an R-Pod purchased elsewhere. If the dealer will do it, it will be at the back of the line behind locally purchased ones. This is not like auto dealers where any Ford dealer or Chevy dealer will service autos purchased elsewhere. There are enough posts in this forum about Forest River recommending to "buy local" and enough posts about local dealers being unwilling to service R-Pods purchased at places like Couch to take it for granted that your local dealer would be willing to service one you purchased elsewhere. Check first.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 10:38am
This is.. "if they choose to" what Stephen H says is true. Non selling dealers can, and have on many occasions, refused to service units they didn't sell. Now.. given that you may beat the local dealer's price by $6K.. if you have an issue, and need said local dealer to fix it, and they won't honor your warranty.. you pay for it, and you subtract that amount from your "savings"... Or you find a dealer that will work on it. FR absolutely advises owners to buy local, for this very reason.. Only you can decide is it's going to be an issue for YOU. Most pods never return to a dealer for anything.. some do. Mine didn't. My sister's didn't. ------------- |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 4:09pm
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To StephenH. When we purchased our 177 in January 2011 (the first year w/o the rings) there was no diamond plating anywhere. Still thinking about a lift kit, hopefully they are still available. If they are, where is the best place to purchase from? ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 4:12pm
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I would contact Forest River. I think I have read a few posts where people have ordered them from the factory. IIRC, the price for them was not all that bad.Ours came with the risers, so I can't be more specific. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 4:20pm
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THANK YOU
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 5:02pm
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From what I understand, the riser is simply a piece of rectangular steel tubing welded between the axle and frame... seems any trailer shop (or farmer) could make that modification? was gonna post a pic, but not sure how... |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 6:45pm
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Bolted, not welded on mine.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 6:55pm
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+1 - bolted. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 7:02pm
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the new ones are welded from both factories, so I guess there is no longer an option to add risers?... seems if you want it lifted, you need to go with HRE on new production? |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2018 at 7:16pm
Are you saying the axles are now directly welded to the frames instead of bolted? ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2018 at 11:13am
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Our early 2017 (green) 179 HRE does not have risers. The axle is bolted to the frame, so I presume it is just the clocking of the axle that gives it the lift.
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2018 at 11:52am
| yes, the Missouri dealer sent me a picture, and i took pics of a new HRE at my local dealer... both welded. |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2018 at 11:53am
| yes, the dealer in Missouri sent me a pic, and I took pics of a local HRE... both welded. |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2018 at 11:58am
| yes, the dealer in Missouri sent me a pic, and I took pics of a local HRE... both welded. |
Posted By: Wood River Pod
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2018 at 8:47pm
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My 2017 HRE 179 (green) came with axle bolted. Ordered lift blocks from FR in Indiana. Can't buy from Lippert direct. Had local tire shop install. The block was like 150, and shipping to Idaho was 25. Local shop charged me 1 hour of labor. In and out in two hours. Also had the bearings repacked before our Sedona trip. Should have done it sooner. Better on our sloped driveway and I never scrapped a single thing on the entire trip. Thanks Jeff ------------- Smith's in Hailey Early 2017 179 HRE http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9134&PN=1&title=wood-river-179-mods - Wood River Mods |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 1:15am
| appears this option is no more on new models |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 1:27am
| I'm a bit discouraged about this whole situation... I feel the lift is necessary for my needs... going ahead with the Wyoming HRE deal because of it... seems i paid around $2k for a little chunk of rectangular steel tubing welded between the frame and axle... and possibly a difference in the underbelly protection?... not sure... but what's done is done and cant wait... |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 7:58am
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Wait a second..."chunk of rectangular steel tubing" sounds an awful lot like there is a welded in riser. The axle is not mounted directly to the frame, so there apparently is some lift in the new design already in the form of a welded riser. That would be an improvement as then there would be no worry about bolts loosening over time. A picture would help. How big is this "chunk of rectangular tubing?" BTW, on the three posts saying the same things, if you catch it before anyone replies, you do have the option to delete the duplicates under "Post Options." However, after someone replies, the best you can do is edit them. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 8:31am
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+1 - the riser has to be part of frame and axle bolts to riser, otherwise it would be tough to remove axle. The axles are bolt on. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 12:25pm
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here are pics.... https://photos.app.goo.gl/tzs8AjinpMmTMStd2 let me know if it works... first time using google photos |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 12:31pm
| roughly 3"x4" maybe?... didn't measure it. |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 1:06pm
| ok i see now that the axle bracket itself is not welded to the riser as i presumed, but the riser is definitely welded to the frame... I suppose risers could be added in a different way... hmmm.... sorry for the confusion. |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 3:12pm
That's curious. Our RP179 HRE does not have the risers (photo below). I measured the distance from ground level to the outside plastic trim and got 20" (1 foot, 8 inches). Curious what the height of one with the risers is? ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 7:24pm
| will let you know when I get mine on Wednesday. |
Posted By: good2bking
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2018 at 10:00pm
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Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 12:50am
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I drove from Denver to Omaha because kettlesen didn't give me the time of day. So have others by the way, there is a whole Jeep Rpod group that has done the same thing for the same reason. They can be ordered with risers too.
Go east, save $$ and use the cash for an electric Jack and a solar panel or something. ------------- Kim & Derek 2016.5 176t 2015 Jeep Rubicon JKU (trips west) 2008 Town and Country (trips east) 2 kids, 2 dogs |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 1:45am
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agree kettleson is not helpful... only 10 minutes away from me. they pretend they can't budge... i probably could have went to Missouri, but went with a Wyoming HRE dealer thinking the lift was necessary and they no longer offer the riser on eastern versions.... probably could have fabricated something to lift an east version?..... but not looking back. some have mentioned HRE may have better quality and more underbelly protection and insulation?... have no idea... I guess I'm ok with paying extra for higher wages and better production quality in Oregon than possibly cheaper labor and lower quality in Indiana?.... will see... can't wait to get my new HRE 172... |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 1:54am
| can you send me a link to the jeep rpod group?... which jeeps can pull an r pod?... grand Cherokee (dodge durango chassis)? my brother has a 4 door with a marginal towing capacity... |
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 2:05am
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Facebook jeep Rpod owners. Most of us have Wrangler with the 3500lb limit. 6000 or more members. My JKU does fine, except coming back east on 70 from Dillon.. Sunday traffic I blend right in :) ------------- Kim & Derek 2016.5 176t 2015 Jeep Rubicon JKU (trips west) 2008 Town and Country (trips east) 2 kids, 2 dogs |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 2:11am
| lol... nice... how bout the town and country? |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 2:16am
| i'm seriously wondering if my 283hp 2012 Chrysler town and country pentastar 3.6 could manage the Colorado mountains if I got a WDH and brake controller installed.... been looking at old suburbans with not much more horsepower... |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 2:26am
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might be cheaper to buy a wdh and brake controller than a new tv... but don't wanna burn out the transmission on the wife and kids daily driver.... guessing a heavy old suburban for a few grand might be worth it even with insurance? |
Posted By: computerfixitguy
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 3:10am
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I have the T&C limited. 3.8 with air suspension. Sane power profile as the JKU in reality. Does fine. Yes I do have the equalizer wdh hitch as well. ------------- Kim & Derek 2016.5 176t 2015 Jeep Rubicon JKU (trips west) 2008 Town and Country (trips east) 2 kids, 2 dogs |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 6:22am
I'm confused. 20 or 40 or 50 inches is irrelevant if important black tank elements, etc, hang down. My ground clearance in a non-HRE is about 7 inches from Important Stuff. Is 9 or 10 inches in an HRE that big a deal?? I don't think so. ------------- "There comes a time in the affairs of a man when he must take the bull by the tail and face the situation" - W.C. Fields |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 11:09am
------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 11:28am
Are you sure the Wrangler is only rated to town a 3500 lbs. limit? Not that I doubt you but I just find it amazing that its so low and makes me glad before I bought my Pod I sold my Wrangler Extreme which I never used in towing. ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 6:49pm
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Cost of the axel risers is probably based on liabilities material is inexpensive ???????!!!!!!!! Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2018 at 11:29pm
if you saw my driveway, you might understand my clearance concerns... I'm more concerned about my steep, uneven driveway than campsites... my lower clearance vehicles scrape badly if not careful... I think it's likely more than 2-3 inch difference, depending on the clocking of the suspension. the riser is at least 3", maybe 4... plus the bigger tires... and possibly the ability to use even bigger tires? from pictures it looks like east versions have very little clearance between tire and fender and HRE seems to have plenty... wondering if the radius of the fenders are any different.
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Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 26 Apr 2018 at 11:24pm
measures a about 23 3/4" from ground to bottom of edge of trailer ... riser is 3"... tires are also bigger than current east version... https://photos.app.goo.gl/tZKDKV2UA3CPJGK78 |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 9:17am
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My 2016 RP179 with risers measures about 19" from ground to edge of trim, so the re-clocked axle on the newer R-Pods does seem to be the equivalent. Note that the 19" is not an empty height, but with a number of items loaded. Empty, it might be 20" or a little higher.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 9:32am
Might of missed it StephenH but are you now running 15" wheels instead of the standard 14". How high of a riser block did you have installed? ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 10:58am
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Mine has the 14" wheels and the blocks were there when we purchased our R-Pod. I believe they were factory installed.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 2:41pm
Cool! So what would your estimate be on your lift blocks, two or three inches? Thanks! ------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 2:49pm
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I did one better. I went out and measured. The blocks are 3-1/2" high.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 4:13pm
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+1 mine are too. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: DavMar
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 8:12pm
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I think someone on this thread showed a photo of their risers and I believe they were welded on. So are most of these risers welded or bolted onto your axle? A couple photos from someone would be a big plus towards this discussion....Thanks!
------------- Dave & Marlene J with Zoey the wonder dog. 2017 Rpod 180 2016 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 Lexington, NC |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Apr 2018 at 8:36pm
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On mine, it looks like there is a plate welded to the bottom of the frame. The riser is bolted to that and then the axle to the riser.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 2:39am
new HRE models seem to have risers welded to frame and welded to the same bracket that bolts to axle bracket that is welded to frame on east versions... have heard they are no longer offering risers on east version... but it still seems possible. https://photos.app.goo.gl/d7ZLveBBxuWjBakz5 |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 2:53am
| I paid a ridiculous amount of money (more than $2k for a HRE compared to east version.. seems it would have been easy to add risers and bigger tires, but it saved me a long and expensive trip to Missouri and liability of modifying suspension... the HRE barely makes it up my driveway.. there is absolutely no way the east version could.... unless I spent many more thousands modifying my driveway. |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 10:56am
https://postimages.org/">
------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: corpod172
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2018 at 12:10pm
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nice... would have done the same if it wasn't brand new and financed... wondering if insurance would be at risk of being void after modification if anything happened? the new HRE also has a piece of angle iron spanning between welded to the risers
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