30" tires on a viper......OK?

[Spur of the Moment]

I'd like to put some 15" wheels and 30" tires on my 1100 Sand Viper. I want to get more ground clearance. I have already raised the shock mounts as high as the heim joints would allow. Only got about 1 1/2". It now has 27x11x12's on the rear. I'm thinking 30x9.5x15 on the rear and some narrower 30's on the front. My riding is strictly desert, some sand and rocks, no mud. My concern is, will the drive shafts on the Viper handle the 30's OK. I don't know if there will be more stress on the shafts. They seem pretty stout. I run it pretty hard and have had no trouble. Appreciate your thoughts.

[Guest Lenny]

If the viper has the same axel diameter as the troopers, I don't see any problem.

Go for it.

Lenny

[Spur of the Moment]

Thanks Lenny,

The axels are 1".

Bruce

[bruhaw]

Biggest problem with the 30's is it will kill your low end power. Takes a lot to get those bigger tires and wheels moving especially in sand/sand wash. I put 30"s on mine and used them for 20 miles and am going to put them up for sale now. I wanted the ground clearance as well but it is a pretty tough trade off and so I went back to 27's. If you want the 30's they are up for sale. 30X12X14 and 30X10X14 Mudlite XXL's. New $850 on them.

Lenny and I discussed at the Jamboree a few weeks back and I actually bought some different gears for the Trooper off the Renegade. Still need to locate the rear gears as I only was able to acquire a front set. Unless i can get a rear sooner than later I will sell the 30" tires.

[Spur of the Moment]

Thanks bruhaw.........I'll take that into consideration.

Bruce

[Guest Lenny]

Biggest problem with the 30's is it will kill your low end power. Takes a lot to get those bigger tires and wheels moving especially in sand/sand wash. I put 30"s on mine and used them for 20 miles and am going to put them up for sale now. I wanted the ground clearance as well but it is a pretty tough trade off and so I went back to 27's. If you want the 30's they are up for sale. 30X12X14 and 30X10X14 Mudlite XXL's. New $850 on them.

Lenny and I discussed at the Jamboree a few weeks back and I actually bought some different gears for the Trooper off the Renegade. Still need to locate the rear gears as I only was able to acquire a front set. Unless i can get a rear sooner than later I will sell the 30" tires.

Hey Bruce, Contact http://www.klung-motor.com/ and see if they can get the pinion gear you need. Keep in mind that you only need the pinion gear and not the ring gear. You can use your existing ring gear as they are the same for the Trooper and the Renegade. Your running the T4 which is heavier then the T2. Rocmoc ran the 31" tires for a long time without problems. There is a bit of a power loss but I think that your big tires though nice tires, take a little more power then the ones Rocmoc ran. Your tires are quite agressive. Still up for a Fall ride?

Lenny

[ricksrb]

Hey Bruce, Contact http://www.klung-motor.com/ and see if they can get the pinion gear you need. Keep in mind that you only need the pinion gear and not the ring gear. You can use your existing ring gear as they are the same for the Trooper and the Renegade. Your running the T4 which is heavier then the T2. Rocmoc ran the 31" tires for a long time without problems. There is a bit of a power loss but I think that your big tires though nice tires, take a little more power then the ones Rocmoc ran. Your tires are quite agressive. Still up for a Fall ride?

Lenny

I too run the 30" tires on my t-4 and have not noticed enough of a difference to change back. I think the extra ground clearence is well worth what little low end power i may have lost.Maybe what the difference in yours is im running 30x 9.50x 15 on all four corners.

[bruhaw]

Lenny - yes I am up for the ride in the fall for sure. I still think I would have to buy the whole Renegade differential in talking with a few of the suppliers. Not sure if Klung would sell just the pinion itself but will check. I also need to figure out if I have the front or rear ring and pinion as I am not sure which one it is. Don't want to have two of the same that is for sure. Anyway to figure out which one Rocmoc sold me? If I can get one and get it all figured out I probably would change the gearing out as I am going to pull the diffs next month and have the kits put in.

[Spur of the Moment]

Thanks guys.........I talked to Discount Tire Direct and the wheels I want only come in 7" width so I'm going to go with 30x9.5x15 on the rear (9.7" wide and 29.6" tall) and 235/75 x15 on the front (9.4" wide and 28.9" tall). Hardly worth the difference but I wanted to keep the front as narrow as possible to make steering easier. I'll see how it affects the low end power.

Hey Lenny......we're heading up toward your way in June. We'll be in Panquitch last week of June and Marysvale for the month of July. A friend of mine lives in Hurricane and he spends the summer in Marysvale. His name is Rod Christensen. Don't know if you know him.

Well......can't wait to get these tires.

Bruce

[Spur of the Moment]

Where's the ride in the fall going to be?

[Guest Lenny]

Spur of the moment, No I don't know him. Ride will be in the Lake Havasu area, give or take. Nothing firmed up yet. Your welcome to Join us.

Bruhaw, I'll be looking at my front diff in a couple of days so I'll take a picture of the front pinion for you.

Lenny

[Spur of the Moment]

I would love to join you guys in Lake Havasu.

[Guest Lenny]

I would love to join you guys in Lake Havasu.

Good, stay tuned. It will probably be a 2 or 3 months before we zero in on when and where.

Lenny

[Spur of the Moment]

Sounds good.

[joynerperformance]

Joynerperformanceparts

30 " tires on the 1100 viper will take away to much power.I have tried it and had poor results.The little extra clearance is not worth it.If you have an older 2008 it will have a locked diff.Thats what they came with big tires would put to much strain on the output shaft. For sand a wider tire is better more flotation if you need new tires then go with a Maxxis Big Horn or GBC tire they work great.And for some reason will be bigger than the Joyner tire with the same markings size.Just check it out.

Thanks

Rick

[Spur of the Moment]

Thanks Rick........I already ordered them so I'll let you know how they do. I hope you're not right. I won't be riding in sand except for washes. I don't do dunes. If it doesn't work it will be an expensive lesson.

[Spur of the Moment]

Got the wheels and tires on and took it for a short 8 mile run. I was really pleased with the ride, clearance and power. I'll know more as put more miles on it. Will be taking it to Utah at the end of June for about six weeks.

https://picasaweb.google.com/116641377128105759104/NewWheelsAndTires#

[joynerperformance]

joynerperformance rick

They look good.In joy the extra clearance you got.I am glad they worked.

Thanks

Rick

[Spur of the Moment]

Thanks Rick.

Bruce

[Spur of the Moment]

Well Rick, I hope you weren't right. Went out yesterday and rode pretty hard up mountains and flat trails just to see how the tires worked. Coming back I rode down a short black top road. Turning into our subdivision I slowed down and turned left and heard a clunk in the back left side. I just tore it down and found I tore up the inside CV joint. Shaft and all looks good. I'm hoping it was just ready to go and not the tires that broke it. Time will tell.

Other than that it ran fantastic.

Bruce