Truck Upgrades July 2023
Rear Shock Absorbers
We just had a three day trip into the backwoods of Vancouver Island and i am suitably impressed. The whole rig now weighs in at a shade over 12,000lbs and I am in constant search of ways to improve bouncing and general handling. These went an amazingly long way especially on that horrid road to Port Renfrew.
Rancho 9000 XL 9-way adjustable shocks
A whole new sensation – less sway, no bottoming out on dips in the road, a straighter drive. I recommend them. Now I need to decide what to do in front – air suspension or just replace the front shocks. ps. Spray the bodies with black rubberized fender guard to stop stone chips and rust. My last shocks rotted a hole in the tube before they were done…pss. with a GVW of 12,000 I ran these at maximum setting of 9/9.
New feet all around.
I am a die-hard BF Goodrich KO2 fan. I guess I’m about to die.
I have just found a tire that puts the 325/65-R18 BFG KO2 AT to shame.
Enter the Maxxiz Razr AT-811 35×12.5R 18LT. A massive 3970lb capacity, that is a 128 Max Load Rating, speed rated at Q. Or Load Range ‘F’ for those who think in old number, or ’12-ply’ for those even older. There isn’t another tire like this in North America. Part Number TL00050100.
The result? AMAZING.
- Lateral stability has improved exponentially. I can’t develop numbers obviously.
- Traction.
- Tar. I didn’t try too hard to smoke them on tar, but I know the BFG would have at the same amount of throttle.
- Gravel. Superb, especially on bends. No sideways slip, no understeer.
- Wet. Remains to be seen in heavy rain, but they throw up a huge amount of water – a good sign of clearing water.
- Mud. Don’t know yet. They buried the rear axle real quick in soft wet gravel last week. My fault. Note to self: ‘Use 4×4 on a river bank when loading 12,000lbs down the embankment in reverse’. SMH.
- Noise. Different. A higher pitch than the BFG, less drone. Sound more like a road tire. Very nice.
- Fuel consumption. Short trip 350kms, used 15.4 liter/100kms. My BFG always used 17-18.5 with the camper on. The log book will tell me in a few months.
Overall? I am very impressed. Without a doubt the most stable tire I have ever driven on that truck. I think I have been reincarnated.
Valve Stems
Have you ever hooked one of those horrid rubber valve stems on a rock or branch? Or just have it perish enough to blow right off? I have. It makes for a very frustrating situation! There is no way of fixing that unless you pull the tire off the rim in the bush, you have a lever tool and a spare valve stem. Good luck with that.
Never again. Here is the answer to that problem.
Colby Valve Ultimate Tire Valve Stem Replacement System. For $70 you’d be an idiot not to fit a set.
And that Dear Reader, is about it for now. Ordered my Mishimoto tranny cooler today – 15% off right now. That will go into the truck as soon as it gets here.
Oso
