changing wheel size ? axle lift
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Topic: changing wheel size ? axle lift
Posted By: gooddfellow
Subject: changing wheel size ? axle lift
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 1:13pm
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We just bought a 2015, 178 rpod and would like to upgrade the wheels from 14 inch to 15 inch wheels. Are their any problems in doing so ? ------------- goodfellow |
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 1:53pm
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If you already have a riser kit then no problem at all. If you haven't had the kit added note how much clearance you have between the top of your tire and the fender. By adding a 15" wheel you only gain 1/2" height gain but that could make a difference if your fire to fender clearance is minimal. ------------- 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: Olddawgsrule
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 2:01pm
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As long as you have clearance (as stated above) none I see. You could move the fenders.. ------------- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJduGeZNFgtptH67leItRFQ - Byways no Highways 2017 Tacoma http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=72408 - Truck Camper Build 2004 F150 My Overlander |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 2:29pm
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With the riser kit no problems with clearance, thats what I did. I wouldn't have had enough clearance without the risers.
Be sure to get wheels with a 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern, most are 6 lug. Eastern Marine has some good deals in premounted tires and wheels. Saves mounting cost and you can change them at home, then sell the old tires and wheels as a set on CL. In my case they paid for the new wheels. Both tires and wheels have load ratings so do check those. My sets were rated at 2500 lbs, nice upgrade from the 1750 rating of the OEM setup. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: gooddfellow
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 2:56pm
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what do you think the least amount of clearance between top of tire and the fender should be ? ------------- goodfellow |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 3:11pm
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I don't know what the minimum ought to be but I have 3.5 inches clearance right now on the slide side and 4 inches on the door side of my 179. Yes, it's typical for the heavier slide side to sit a half inch (or even more) lower.
The risers are 3.5 inches so I would be rubbing on the slide side without them, not even hitting a bump. I've never bottomed out as I'm currently configured. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 3:17pm
Probably more like one inch higher with the new tires included...they will very likely be a higher profile and thicker tread. ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 5:38pm
I just went out and measured: slide side 5.5 inches door side 6 inches. As usual OG is correct again.  ------------- 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: offgrid
Date Posted: 20 Apr 2021 at 7:28pm
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Jato, looks like you have 2 inches more clearance than I do. That's a lot.
What tires are you running? I've got Loadstar ST225R15's. Supposed to be 28.4 inches diameter. Could also be how the torsion axles are clocked, and your trailer is lighter than mine. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2021 at 6:30am
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A few of weeks ago I purchased the third set of tires on a 10 year old 177. Also it is the first time getting load range D instead of the previous two sets that were load range C. Tires are Carlisle Radial Trail ST 205/75/R14. Pressure is 65 psi. Only have 100 miles on them so far but a huge difference from running the "C" range tires. The day when getting the tires weather was 35 mph crosswinds and with the old tires I could see the pods sidewalls flexing and could even feel the trailer pull the rear of the pickup sideways a bit, a rather un-nervy feeling. On the return trip (35 miles) same weather conditions but no sidewall flexing resulting in a smooth ride home.
------------- 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: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2021 at 7:11am
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Your Carlisles are supposed to be 26.1 inches diameter vs my Loadstars at 28.4 so that only explains 1.15 inches of our clearance difference. The other 0.85 inches has to be a combination of torsion axle arm clocking, weight, and fender position.
So I guess the lesson is that rpods differ quite a bit and you should measure your actual clearance before making any changes... ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: Lafe
Date Posted: 24 Apr 2021 at 8:35am
thank you for the info.
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