Deep Snow/Arctic budget build

**2GPS4ME** · 11-11-2009, 02:38 PM

Does anyone know of XJs on here that have been built for deep snow, arctic wheeling, etc.?

I'm looking for pictures and some technical info on:

- TIRE sizes & makes
- Wheel sizes, backspacing
- Fender trimming

I'm looking at doing a budget setup of what I found on YouTube.
Plans are for a 2-4" lift, and a set of HUGE flotation tires.

Jeep & Toyota in deep snow video

**Timo_90xj** · 11-11-2009, 04:04 PM

Something like the one below? It's those "Iceland" Jeeps that guys build there to be able to drive in winter (and wheel on deep snow and glaciers). Not that much lift usually, but wide and big dia. tires run on extremely low pressure. Wide bedlock wheels would be a good idea too.

I do not have any specs of the rig, but to me looks like around 4-5" of lift and tires are in the region of 37s or 38s.

xj_army · 11-11-2009, 06:42 PM

i could do what they did in the vid with just my 12.50s

**Magus2727** · 11-11-2009, 07:20 PM

I think a 14.5" tire would be better on a 10" bead lock rim.... that way you have more flotation. you might need a little more trimming if you want to be able to stuff that wide of a tire with a "lower" lift.

kyleboender · 11-11-2009, 10:07 PM

x2 on the 14.5" wide. They got to be pretty pricey though.

**2GPS4ME** · 11-11-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xj_army

i could do what they did in the vid with just my 12.50s

The idea here is NOT to simply push snow, but to obtain a LARGE amount of flotation.

The owner of the jeep in the YouTube video said he was still riding on 2-4 feet of snow underneath the tires. 12.50s would likely dig down too fast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magus2727

I think a 14.5" tire would be better on a 10" bead lock rim....

I am pricing tires/wheels, and it looks like Interco has the most practical height/width combos available - for decent prices.

I like the idea of a 33x13.5-15 or a 34x14.5 on a beadlocked 10" wheel. I could likely accomplish that with little fender trimming (I'm NOT looking for flex). Air down to 3 psi, and ride the drifts...

jjg214 · 11-11-2009, 10:13 PM

i would never wheel on a glacier. there are crevasses that would eat jeeps and kill you, that you cant see til you fall through the surface.

however, for low cog you could go with 4.5" lift and do some trimming, 14.5" wide tires are gunna require aftermarket rims with low back spacing, or wider axles. i dont think you could even use stock wheels with spacers, itd be close.

Topgun514 · 11-11-2009, 10:29 PM

I see your in south dakota but are you making a rescue jeep, or traveling to the Yukon.

btw, 2-4 inches are the lifts i see in the iceland jeeps with 14.5+ tires

**2GPS4ME** · 11-12-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjg214

i would never wheel on a glacier. there are crevasses that would eat jeeps and kill you, that you cant see til you fall through the surface.
however, for low cog you could go with 4.5" lift and do some trimming, 14.5" wide tires are gunna require aftermarket rims with low back spacing, or wider axles. i dont think you could even use stock wheels with spacers, itd be close.

I don't plan on going to any glaciers in this age. I'm simply looking for the most economical approach to navigating very deep snow. Low back-spaced wheels and 13.5-14.5 wide tires should be quite effective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topgun514

I see your in south dakota but are you making a rescue jeep, or traveling to the Yukon.

btw, 2-4 inches are the lifts i see in the iceland jeeps with 14.5+ tires

Haha, don't let the South Dakota location fool you. We've had close to 100 inches of snow the last two years, and not far away gets hit with close to 300 inches.

**2GPS4ME** · 11-13-2009, 12:04 AM

Here are a couple pictures of the ideas I'm kicking around.

Probably 32x11.50s on 10" wheels

33x13.50 baja claws

And eventually, possibly a setup similar to this...

38.5x14.50 baja claws

fishinjeeper · 11-13-2009, 05:28 AM

thats cool!!!!

rkates · 11-13-2009, 06:39 AM

The Ground Hawgs in the first pic come in wider sizes. The 35's are 14.5 wide and they are great in the snow. (they are rated a mud and snow tire) Plus from past experiences with them, Tire wear is very slow.

fishinjeeper · 11-13-2009, 11:23 PM

you could try to get something like this. i know its a wrangler, but you can get the same thing for cherokee's

jeepster425 · 11-13-2009, 11:29 PM

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jeepster425 · 11-13-2009, 11:30 PM

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