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The frames are the same length. The difference is the placement of the springs and axles. You could either move your springs ahead or go to springs that mount on the outside of the frame rails like the Gladiator series or 715's have. The tool box does sit right in front of that crossmember that's in your way when mounted on the 715.
The space between the bed and cab could be used for an auxillary fuel tank. Probably have to make it custom to fit but it would be functional and eliminate that gap.
I would move the suspension forward and just get the rear driveshaft shortened
I agree
I don't have a tailgate or 35" tires to trade only a Fisherman fabbed brush guard. I would be willing to buy the wheels though. Let me know.
Found these tires on Craigslist today. They are 35x12.50x15 Wild Countrys. I am thinking about buying them if I know they will fit ok. Mounted they measure about 12" wide at sidewall, The wheels are 15"x8" with 3" backspacing. If my measurements are ok, that would put the sidewall about 3/4" from the J10 rear spring. I'm thinking if I add a wheel spacer something like 1", it should move the tire out to about 1-3/4" from spring. Does anyone have suggestions on what is a good gap between the tire sidewall and the rear spring?
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...daleTires1.jpg
We've had a little snow the last couple days and I haven't felt like working outside on the truck in the cold. Hopefully I can get back to it and mount the front fenders and grill.
I put wheel spacers on my CJ7 so I could run some rims with the wrong back spacing. I would recommend against them. I had a problem with them coming loose and allowing the wheel to wobble.
I have also heard they put additional strain on the bearings.
typically, a wheel spacer wouldn't add anymore stress on the bearings than a wheel with comparable backspacing... but, I too have heard mixed reviews on them and would probably try to avoid them, especially on a heavier truck like this. Having said that, I've never had any personal experience but I know people who have and swear they're fine and people who swear up and down against them...
On another note, I have a friend in college who had a volvo and some tire rubbing issues. He found some cheap 1/8" or so generic spacers that just sandwich between the wheel and brake. Not the best at all in my opinion though. If you just need a little extra room i guess they work. Also, if there is some clearence between the tire and spring, theoretically it shouldn't change and they "shouldn't" rub.
another thing to consider is the fender width of the 715 body. Not sure if it's wider or not, but you may also want to consider that when thinking about backspacing...
Not much progress this weekend as I've been spending a lot of time trying to track down a good set of tires and wheels.
I did manage to brave the cold long enough to remove a J10 front fender and set an M715 fender in it's place. Here's a quick shot to get the idea of where it's going, Still need to remove the J10 front bumper as it wraps around and interferes with the M715 fender flare:
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...15fenderon.jpg
There is a set of 35" BFG Krawlers locally on Craigslist I plan to check out tonight. Or I'm also considering buying a new set of BFG MT KM2's off of Tirerack.com. Thinking of stopping by the local used wheel and tire store and digging through their rim pile for a set of steel 15x10 wheels with the appropriate backspacing, then painting them OD with the thought of possibly going with an OD theme on the whole turck. Just thinking.
It's hard to get much done when you are working outside in the cold and dark, but I managed to get my new tires mounted up tonight. I found on Craigslist a set of 35x16x15 Boggers mounted on 12" rims with 3" backspacing. I think they are the perfect combination for my truck. The inner sidewall clears the rear spring about 1" and the outside sticks out past the fenderwell about 2". With the M715 front fenders I can turn the wheel full lock both directions and the outer lugs just barely rub some sheetmetal, which I think I can trim a little and hammer a little for a perfect fit. My goal is to make it all work without installing a lift because I like that big tire look where the tires fill the fenderwells instead of a big lift where the tires look way down there and kinda small. I couldn't have asked for a better fit if I tried. Sorry about the pictures beaing outside in the dark with a flash, but that's all I got to work with right now. I will get some nicer one's in the daylight this weekend.
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...5/Boggers1.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...5/Boggers4.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...5/Boggers3.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...5/Boggers2.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...5/Boggers5.jpg