Solid Axle Fan
I am not a hardcore 4x4 guy, but I have always owned Ford F-350 trucks, mainly because they still have a solid front axle. I just bought an ’87 Toyota 4Runner that I am planning to do a solid axle swap with and I am always thinking exactly what you wrote about in the June ’12 Firing Order. Why don’t the automakers manufacture trucks with solid front axles? Besides the Ford, I just bought the 4Runner and already have an ’85 solid axle all cleaned, primed, and ready to go in the garage but the actual swap is going to run some $10,000 to install 37-inch tires, re-gearing, lockers, and so on to finally have the truck that I really want. I am not up to this job and want to make sure it gets done right and that is what it will cost me. We all see how popular the new Toyotas and Nissans are with their V-8 motors, but if they were to make those trucks with solid axles, I bet they would sell even more.
Steve Black
Via email
Solid Axle Revolt
I just read Firing Order from the June ’12 issue. I could not agree more. I am so tired of corporate suits who drive Mercedes cars making decisions about what a 4x4 should be. The crossover market is perfect for the soccer moms and salesmen who want an SUV. So why can’t they let a truck be a truck? Trucks are meant to be rugged, capable, work horses. If the average American is not using their four-wheel drive, then they should be purchasing two-wheel drive vehicles. That way those of us who actually use a 4x4 can get the vehicle that we really want, one with a dependable and easily customizable solid front axle. Let me know when you are ready to start the revolution; I will join you.
Jimmy Hilliard
Wilmington, NC
Tire Tales
In the April ’12 issue you tested 33 different tires and of all those tires I have to ask why did you not rate the Mickey Thompson Baja Claw tires?
Bill
Via email
We have put many miles on the Mickey Thompson Baja Claw bias-ply tires over the years. However, a 46-inch version is now the only size available. The Baja Claw has (for the most part) been replaced with the Baja Claw TTC and the Baja Claw TTC Radial. The Baja Claw TTC only comes in a 54-inch version so the market for such a tire is comparatively small and unfortunately we have not put enough miles on the relatively new Baja Claw TTC Radial tires to properly rate them as we have the other tires in the test.
Cutting Brake Question
In “EX-JS” (June ’12), Hollingsworth says his favorite mod is the cutting brakes. I see levers in the console between the T-case twin sticks. A cutting brake and a spool equal 50 percent less braking at both wheels. Does he mean front and rear brake separation? If it’s his favorite mod I want to know more!
Darrell Reese
Via email
We aren’t sure how Hollingsworth has his cutting brakes plumbed, but you are correct if they were plumbed to the right and left rear wheels. The spool keeps both rear axleshafts spinning together regardless of if the right or left rear brake is applied. Perhaps the cutting brakes are plumbed to the front and rear as you have mentioned. This way he could do a front dig with the rear output of the Dana 300 kicked into Neutral. Similar results could be had by kicking out the front axle and locking the front brakes only, especially on a sidehill.
Ring Gear Guidance
Love your mag, but as I’m somewhat older than dirt and have made every mistake that can be made. Regarding “Low-Buck Bonanza” (June ’12), I have some advice on heating the ring gear prior to installation.
1.) Do not let your wife (or mom) see that you use her oven to heat it.
2.) Buy or make some studs that thread into the ring gear to help guide it onto the carrier. The ring gear cools fast and if it’s off by the tiniest amount, you will have to start over.
James Menotti
Via email
Back in the Saddle
I have been a subscriber to Four Wheeler since 1980 with about an 8- to 10-year hiatus until about a year ago. Your February ’80 issue was the deciding factor in the purchase of a new Bronco that year. It finally gave up the ghost in ’03, hence my lapse in subscription. I bought a new ’10 Jeep Wrangler so now I’m back with you. I have noticed content has dropped from an average of 140 pages in late ’90s to 100 pages now. Disappointing, not to mention no more Granville King (nice mention in the February ’12 50th anniversary issue)—and now Willie Worthy is gone, too? It’s gonna be hard to stick with you. But due to the fact that I’m trying to build my Jeep on a low budget, the “Low-Buck Bonanza” and “Carry Smarter” articles in the June ’12 issue were worth the subscription price. Best two articles I’ve read in last twelve months. Do more of the same.
Brian J Villella
Tucson, AZ
To welcome Brian back to the 4x4 world, we’re sending him Steven Spielberg’s iconic action-thriller Jaws; it debuts on Blu-ray August 14th. Featuring a digitally remastered and fully restored picture and 7.1 sound, the Jaws Blu-ray includes an all-new documentary “The Shark is Still Working.”
Where To Write
Address your correspondence to Four Wheeler, 831 S. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245 or send an email to john.cappa@fourwheeler.com. All letters become the property of Four Wheeler, and we reserve the right to edit them for length, accuracy, and clarity. The editorial department can also be reached through the website at www.fourwheeler.com. Due to the volume of mail, electronic and otherwise, we cannot respond to every reader, but we do read everything.
To welcome Brian back to the 4x4 world, we’re sending him Steven Spielberg’s iconic action-thriller Jaws; it debuts on Blu-ray August 14th. Featuring a digitally remastered and fully restored picture and 7.1 sound, the Jaws Blu-ray includes an all-new documentary “The Shark is Still Working.”