HELP! Trouble clearing reservoir shocks

[Alans17]

For reference, I’ve got Max Tow (wide) axles and Mojave take-off wheels and tires. I’ve got newer-style Vertex 2.5”shocks where the reservoir is positioned parallel to the shock body rather than mounted above the coil spring.

Immediately after getting the shocks installed, I found that the tires were hitting the reservoirs at full lock. The axle is slightly misaligned, but even if I centered it, I think I’d still need at least one or two washers under the steering stops to keep from rubbing.

I’m now looking to simultaneously upgrade tires to 35” and get my full steering range back. I expect that means new wheels, but I’m trying to avoid obnoxious tire poke. A little is ok.

Has anyone else experienced this same issue with reservoir shocks? How’d you work around it? What’s your end result? And if you’ve got reservoir shocks and 35s (or 37s), please post details including axle width, wheels, and tires. Thanks in advance!

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[Rusty PW]

The only way around it is wheels with less backspacing or offset. The Mojave rim is +37 offset (6" backspacing). Need something around 5" or less backspacing.

I just had this discussion with someone else who filled me in on it.

 

[Alans17]

The only way around it is wheels with less backspacing or offset. The Mojave rim is +37 offset (6" backspacing). Need something around 5" or less backspacing.

I just had this discussion with someone else who filled me in on it.

My own calculations are about the same. I’m just wondering what that does for tire poke. I’ve been looking for examples everywhere.

Alternatively, if I could relocate the reservoirs, I should have all kinds of space. But I don’t even know if I can or what it would cost.

 

[Lunentucker]

You could sell that kit and get a remote reservoir setup. A Mojave pull or a new one.
Poke will be current plus however much you take away from the 37 mm.

What's the offset on the stock Rubicon wheels? You can usually find a set of those pretty cheap on FB Marketplace.

 

[Lunentucker]

Looks like the Rubicon is +44.45 mm, so that's the wrong direction.
Spacers would work too.

https://www.northridge4x4.com/scp/wheels-and-tires/wheels/wheel-spacers-adapters

 

[Alans17]

You could sell that kit and get a remote reservoir setup. A Mojave pull or a new one.
Poke will be current plus however much you take away from the 37 mm.

What's the offset on the stock Rubicon wheels? You can usually find a set of those pretty cheap on FB Marketplace.

I can’t really afford another reservoir setup. But I guess lots of Rubicon and Mojave owners are probably are putting on wider wheels, even without shocks in the way. I just need to research. Or try to find examples of 35x11.50r17 if I’m trying to avoid much poke. I’m just afraid it’ll look funny on my 3.5” lift to have tires that skinny.

 

[Lunentucker]

They'll look pretty slim on the 7.5 rims.
If you do go to 8.5 wide, you'll need to take a half inch of poke to get back even plus whatever's needed to clear the reservoirs.
The 1.5"spacers would probably do the job on the stock rims.

There's lots of pics here showing poke with zero offsets. It's not bad, but they're past the fenders.
If they're just rubbing on full turn you could adjust the stops out a bit, but that takes away some turn radius.

 

[bleda2002]

Get 1.25 inch spacers if you are sticking to stock wheels. They have a pocket where the lugs go that should give you the .5 inch that the lugs will stick out of the spacers.

As for poke, well it will poke 1.25 more inches or basically the same as a 0 off set rim. These are 37x12.5 on 0 offset(4.75 back spacing)

 

[Alans17]

Get 1.25 inch spacers if you are sticking to stock wheels. They have a pocket where the lugs go that should give you the .5 inch that the lugs will stick out of the spacers.

As for poke, well it will poke 1.25 more inches or basically the same as a 0 off set rim. These are 37x12.5 on 0 offset(4.75 back spacing)

Thanks for the visual. Is this on a wider or narrower axle? I guessing wider, judging by the red tow hook, but just checking. Also, what kind of lift do you have? Poke seems less egregious when there’s less gap above the tire.

 

[Lunentucker]

Stock Mojave
2" AEV
BFG K02 35/12.5/17
32 PSI

 

[bleda2002]

Thanks for the visual. Is this on a wider or narrower axle? I guessing wider, judging by the red tow hook, but just checking. Also, what kind of lift do you have? Poke seems less egregious when there’s less gap above the tire.

Wide axle, rubicon flares, clayton 2.5 which is more like a 3-3.5" of most other companies

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

For reference, I’ve got Max Tow (wide) axles and Mojave take-off wheels and tires. I’ve got newer-style Vertex 2.5”shocks where the reservoir is positioned parallel to the shock body rather than mounted above the coil spring.

Immediately after getting the shocks installed, I found that the tires were hitting the reservoirs at full lock. The axle is slightly misaligned, but even if I centered it, I think I’d still need at least one or two washers under the steering stops to keep from rubbing.

I’m now looking to simultaneously upgrade tires to 35” and get my full steering range back. I expect that means new wheels, but I’m trying to avoid obnoxious tire poke. A little is ok.

Has anyone else experienced this same issue with reservoir shocks? How’d you work around it? What’s your end result? And if you’ve got reservoir shocks and 35s (or 37s), please post details including axle width, wheels, and tires. Thanks in advance!

I had to look up “vertex” shocks…. Can you return them????? These Rough Country shocks look like they are going for 900 a pair….. you can get kings, fox, Bilstein for just a bit more……

to answer your question-(as long as this photo is the same shock you have…) take the bracket off and pick up a bolt on bracket- then you can move the res.

 

[Alans17]

I had to look up “vertex” shocks…. Can you return them????? These Rough Country shocks look like they are going for 900 a pair….. you can get kings, fox, Bilstein for just a bit more……

to answer your question-(as long as this photo is the same shock you have…) take the bracket off and pick up a bolt on bracket- then you can move the res.

Long story, but they’re sort of a prize for a 4 Wheel Parts grand opening event. I didn’t pay for them in the first place. But yes, those are the style, if not the exact ones. I’ve reached out to RC about a relocation bracket so fingers crossed that they come through. And then hopefully not an arm and a leg to install since it involves removing the front springs.

FWIW, I’ve had them on for 6 months and I really do like them. I don’t even really miss the reduced turning radius, though I’d like to have it back. Just that none of this has been a big deal until now since I’m looking to get bigger tires.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

Long story, but they’re sort of a prize for a 4 Wheel Parts grand opening event. I didn’t pay for them in the first place. But yes, those are the style, if not the exact ones. I’ve reached out to RC about a relocation bracket so fingers crossed that they come through. And then hopefully not an arm and a leg to install since it involves removing the front springs.

FWIW, I’ve had them on for 6 months and I really do like them. I don’t even really miss the reduced turning radius, though I’d like to have it back. Just that none of this has been a big deal until now since I’m looking to get bigger tires.

Measure the outside diameter- or see if you can find the spec online- then just look for a universal clamp mount???

 

[Alans17]

Measure the outside diameter- or see if you can find the spec online- then just look for a universal clamp mount???

I actually did find a universal clamp online after that last post. I’ll just need to see if I can find a place to fit it. That’s the backup plan if RC doesn’t come through, though. ?

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