Frequently Asked Questions ... Under Construction

Q. What size wheels can I run on my off road rig after I lift it?
A. This depends on a few factors such as type of vehicle, amount of lift being installed, and the size of the tires you want to run. The most common issue when adding larger than stock tires is rubbing when flexed or turned hard. Ask us about your particular vehicle make / model and we can tell you what you will need to do.

Q. Do I need fender flairs for my over size tires?
A. In most cases yes. In British Columbia you are not permitted to have any tire width protruding beyond the fender flairs. In many cases this will mean that you will need to install sufficient fender flares to compensate for the additional width of many larger tire sizes.

Q. How much lift can I run and still be street legal?
A. In British Columbia the maximum amount of lift you can run without requiring a vehicle inspection is 10cm or just under 4 inches. Other factors such as bumper and light height also need to be considered for lifted vehicles that also run on the street. The centerline of the bumper must fall within 380 to 560 mm above ground for cars and the lowest part must be 750 mm high or less for trucks weighing 4500 kg or less. For detailed regulations visit the BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations web site.

Q. What are the rules concerning lighting on my street-driven off road vehicle?
A. Lamp Minimum Height Maximum Height ...
Headlights minimum - 56 cm maximum - 1.37 m
Stop, Tail and Reflector minimum - 38 cm maximum - 1.83 m
Driving Lights minimum - 40 cm maximum - 1.06 m
Fog Lights minimum - 30 cm below headlamps maximum - Level with headlamps
Daytime Running Lights minimum - 30 cm maximum - 2.11 m

Q. Why do I need to change gear ratio when I run larger tires?
A. Running large tires on your 4 wheel drive vehicle means that your vehicle will work harder to achieve the original stock performance resulting in a noticeable loss of power, performance, and an increase in fuel consumption. Reducing or running higher number value gear ratio will allow you to regain some of that lost power and increase your gas mileage. A deeper gear reduction will also allow your vehicle to crawl at lower speeds enhancing its abilities to tackle rough terrain. Contact us for more information and pricing.

Q. What is an SYE and do I need one?
A. An SYE or Slip Yoke Eliminator is a bolt-on replacement for the slip yoke found at the rear output of some common transfer cases. When a vehicle is lifted there is often an introduction of drive line vibrations due to the change in drive line angles. Although properly addressing pinion angles can eliminate much of the problem, in many cases an SYE and CV style drive shaft will be required to effectively eliminate the problem. Each vehicle set up will be different. Contact us for more information and pricing.

Q. What is axle wrap?
A. Axle wrap is a common problem in vehicles that have a leaf spring suspension. When power is applied the pinion will rotate causing the leaf springs to bend into an 'S' shape. When the springs unload, or snap back to their original shape it causes a hopping action to occur. This can result in loss of traction and damage to the drive line. There are a number of solutions to combat this undesirable condition. Contact Us for information and pricing.

Q. Should I put a body lift in my off road 4x4?
A. This is a hot topic for debate and there are many opinions both for and against. The most common mistake people make concerning body lifts is adding too much lift for the purpose of accommodating larger tire sizes. While a 1 inch body lift will allow more clearance for tires, adding too much body lift will raise your center of gravity significantly making your rig unstable and prone to rolling over. It also introduces more stress on the body mounting points because of the increase in body roll due to the higher center of gravity. Unibody vehicles such as a Jeep Cherokee cannot have a body lift as the frame and body are one unit. Your vehicle must have a body-on-frame construction in order to lift the body away from the frame rails.

Q. Should I add a snorkel to my Jeep or truck?
A. The purpose of a snorkel is to raise the air intake for your engine above the level of water that you may be crossing. If you have an air intake that is lower than the water level you can draw water into your engine and cause what is known as hydro lock. Engines cannot operate with water in them and in most cases this will destroy your engine or at least cause a need to dismantle and rebuild the engine. A snorkel can help to guard against this problem if you anticipate crossing water of a significant depth. A snorkel is not the end all and be all though, as electronics, sensors, and drive line components must also be water proofed in order to keep them functioning correctly. A snorkel does you no good if your ignition is exposed to water too.

More to Come ...