Project 4x4 Commuter Mazda

[dhkonrad]

Keep in mind Fordyce is a lot gnarlier than Rubicon tho. And rubicon has bypass for all the hard obstacles.

But very true and good point. I strapped it pretty conservative and will bump it the same or maybe even more for Rubicon. Will be easy to change later with the pinch bolts on the bumpstop cans. Hopefully that will keep the tires mostly out of the fenders. It may not be that bad now with the straps on, I need to go find a place to test it out. If it is still pretty bad I may just rock no fenders or take my uncles jeep.

Honestly I meant mostly for the rear. Even on a forklift I had about 1-2 inches of clearance at full bump, but on the rocks my rear axle moved forward and back a bit, and the first time it ate the fender it messed up the lip of the fender, so that even after taking a sledge hammer to my fender on the trail, it still kept making contact and made the lip worse and worse, and it took the outer 1" of all my lugs off.
And that was all before the first river crossing of Fordyce. Not anywhere near as gnarly as the rest of the trail.

 

[legoms013]

Honestly I meant mostly for the rear. Even on a forklift I had about 1-2 inches of clearance at full bump, but on the rocks my rear axle moved forward and back a bit, and the first time it ate the fender it messed up the lip of the fender, so that even after taking a sledge hammer to my fender on the trail, it still kept making contact and made the lip worse and worse, and it took the outer 1" of all my lugs off.
And that was all before the first river crossing of Fordyce. Not anywhere near as gnarly as the rest of the trail.

Oh thought you were talkin about the front. Yep the rear needs attention too. I was thinking about just some simple polyurethane bumpstops on some extentions. I have the stock lift blocks with the built in wings so shoulnt be too hard.

Wonder why your rear axle was moving forward and back so much?

 

[dhkonrad]

Oh thought you were talkin about the front. Yep the rear needs attention too. I was thinking about just some simple polyurethane bumpstops on some extentions. I have the stock lift blocks with the built in wings so shoulnt be too hard.

Wonder why your rear axle was moving forward and back so much?

I think it was when the axle would push real hard it would warp the leaf a bit, allowing it to move. Especially with the factory blocks. At least I assumed that's what it was. I think if I had a traction bar it wouldn't have been as big of a deal. Which is why I wasn't as worried for the front, because of the links.

 

[escort_gts]

I think it was when the axle would push real hard it would warp the leaf a bit, allowing it to move. Especially with the factory blocks. At least I assumed that's what it was. I think if I had a traction bar it wouldn't have been as big of a deal. Which is why I wasn't as worried for the front, because of the links.

This is true. Mine has no problems clearing the 35's when lifted with the forklift. But on the trail, the tire and fender ate each other so my bedsides were destroyed and outside shoulder of the tires are all cut up. I have the stock blocks and no traction bar either.

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[legoms013]

This is true. Mine has no problems clearing the 35's when lifted with the forklift. But on the trail, the tire and fender ate each other so my bedsides were destroyed and outside shoulder of the tires are all cut up. I have the stock blocks and no traction bar either.

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Crap now I'm all paranoid

 

[escort_gts]

Just do some fender trimming.

My profile pic is where it actually destroyed the tires previously stated.

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[legoms013]

Just do some fender trimming.

My profile pic is where it actually destroyed the tires previously stated.

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What are you running for leafs?

I'm out of upward travel in the picture where I'm flexed out on the bobcat at the top of the page.

I'm just not a fan of trimmed fenders, no offense to anybody or their rigs. Maybe my standars are too high and I'm a whiner

Looks like I've hit my monthly bandwidth limit for photobucket :/

 

[escort_gts]

Just the stock ranger leaf springs and the stock block and beltech shackles.

I was the same way with trimmed fenders. But after mine got destroyed by the tire, I changed my mind....tires are to damn expensive.

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[legoms013]

Just the stock ranger leaf springs and the stock block and beltech shackles.

I was the same way with trimmed fenders. But after mine got destroyed by the tire, I changed my mind....tires are to damn expensive.

Sent from my HTC ONE using tapatalk 4

I think it was when the axle would push real hard it would warp the leaf a bit, allowing it to move. Especially with the factory blocks. At least I assumed that's what it was. I think if I had a traction bar it wouldn't have been as big of a deal. Which is why I wasn't as worried for the front, because of the links.

Dhkonrad what kind of leaves you running? Same as escort or something else?

 

[dhkonrad]

Dhkonrad what kind of leaves you running? Same as escort or something else?

Basically the exact same set up as escort at the the time. Extended shackles, stock leaves, stock blocks.

I was the same way with trimmed fenders. But after mine got destroyed by the tire, I changed my mind....tires are to damn expensive.

Escort's right though. That's how it went with me. I didn't like trimmed fenders, and I figured it was pointless to trim the fenders since I cleared no problem... Well, turns out there is a reason why people do the things they do. And trimmed fenders don't necessarily look that bad. If I would have taken the time on mine, I could have made them look pretty good. As it is, the look really has grown on me, and I like the shape now more than ever. I wouldn't go back if you paid me.

 

[legoms013]

Few pics from my new photobucket since my old ones bandwidth is pegged

 

[Kevery]

Pretty sweet dude. Got my vote.

 

[legoms013]

Pretty sweet dude. Got my vote.

Thanks man, 'preciate it



Thinking of starting a new build thread with "Gold Manger" in the title. Since nothing Mazda really applies anymore. Thoughts?

Bumpstops and sliders still not here. Cuttin' it close to my trip...

Bumpstop brackets (1 extra in case I screw up):

 

[4.0B2]

Nah man. Leave it here. Shows all the progress in one place!

 

[legoms013]

Goin wheelin this weekend!