I need more room for tires

[Axitech]

I recently put new tires on the rail, and am not exactly pleased with them. I went from a 31x10.50 15 to a 265x75 15 and while I gained room, I gave up top speed. Since almost all of my driving is highway speeds, I am really missing those last few mph. The reason for the drop in size was the original tires were rubbing on the torsion cap.

So, if I trade out my torsion bars for the short ones, how much is my ride going to suffer? How much should I REALISTICALLY budget to get the parts ? Has anyone here done it, and are there regrets?

Thanks,
Bob
_________________
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36


The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.-Thomas Jefferson

[earthquake]

If you put a set of 3x3 arms on it you can run just about any size tire you want, watch your local Craigslist, people sell them all the time. Do you have wide 5 wheels or 4 lug? If can find some 16" wheel there's a 285/75/16 that pretty tall.

Casey
_________________
74 CLASS 11 LOOK-A-LIKE
69 DUNE BUGGY
79 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II
05 SCION XB SERIES RELEASE 2[#437]
95 Chevy C3500 dually
98 Ford E150
Link to Kelly J. Nolte 3/20/53 - 11/6/08
https://time-zonelabs.blogspot.com/p/about-kelly.html
DEATH TO CHINGERS!
[From a military recruitment poster in the novel "The Stainless Steel Rat" By Harry Harrison]

[Axitech]

That would require going to a longer axle too, right? I'd also have to move/remount my rear fenders. I really am hoping a torsion bar swap will be easiest.
_________________
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36


The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.-Thomas Jefferson

[fishybastard]

Mine has the shorter bars on it. Bought it that way. Doesn't ride bad at all

[InkyLewis]

When I changed mine to short bars it didn't change the ride at all. As long as they are the same size bars the ride should stay the same.

[InkyLewis]

When I changed mine to short bars it didn't change the ride at all. As long as they are the same size bars the ride should stay the same.

[DHale_510]

IRS spring plates for short torsions are all aftermarket and expensive, about the same price as new longer axles.

[jsturtlebuggy]

You can cut down the swing axle spring plates to work with the IRS trailing arms. I did it years ago before there were after market spring plates.
You can take measurements from the IRS spring plate to use to cut and drill holes in the swingaxle plates.
And depending on what you are planning on using your vehicle for, don't discount the use of the Chinese made spring plates. They work for a play car that not being over stress. I am using them on a street buggy with stock diameter torsion bars.
I personally would not use them with a larger than stock diameter torsion bars or something that has more travel then stock.
And going to the short torsion bar even though they are both 22mm diameter does raise the spring rate. In a heavy vehicle it may be an advantage if you are bottoming out the suspension now.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960