jwest wrote:

Hi Disco303.

I wish I'd seen this solution a few weeks ago as I already had from a previous vehicle, 285/65 x18's which are about 32.7 and rubbed in a test, primarily on the steel plate protrusion on the frame just behind each front wheel. You know which part I'm talking about? Besides a little tight area inside the front of the rear wheel wells, this was the worst thing I saw with 32+ tires. So, figuring there was no "good" solution, I went ahead and got the same tires BFG AT ko in 265/65 x18 which are just about 31.7" figuring that I's want clearance for snowchains sometimes too.

The only place I had an issue was the leading edges of the rear tires contacting the covered body seam. These have been hammered flat, and the inner wheel arch liner has been cut and plastic welded for a smooth surface. I've had no issues on the front end with tire clearance. I do have an ARB bumper, so, I can't really comment on leading edge of front tire to factory bumper clearance.

What do you think about the chains aspect and the tires you are using? You're in the snow country where 3 years ago I had to dig my D1 out on a few winter climbing approach trails where I should have stopped sooner and hiked farther instead. That said, I am mainly looking for total height clearance as opposed to wild articulation.

We work on our rigs in the winter here, or take trips to Utah, AZ, NM etc... Colorado trails are just plain unsafe from about October to April. Cable style chains will still fit with the 275's but I doubt link style chains would.

What's the Holy Cross trail you drive? I almost climbed the main center gully when I was there but conditions weren't safe and the approach road was 8 miles just to get into the trail head. It was early March and I had already hiked up a few 13rs, Mt. Elbert (one place I got stuck in and dug out). So, I went and climbed Longs Peak solo via and ice gully and rappelled down. Pretty awesome land you are in for lots of things.

Holy Cross is best experienced rather than described. This was my fourth trip up the trail, but the first time, I believe, for any LR3. We ran it yesterday with My LR3, my old bobtailed 91RR, and the local Bronco club(most of which were trailered in). This video from exactlya a year ago gives a pretty good perspective though...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=52...;plindex=1

We had to wait 3 hours for the Broncos and Jeeps to clear French Creek, then my friend in my old truck lost the center diff in his swapped in LT230. So, I never got my chance at French Creek.... next time The Creek is the last obstacle you see in the video. Everything prior to that, the LR3 conquered fairly easily. I did have to take two attempts at the obstacle you see the blue Jeep stuck on. I slid off my first line, backed up, and crawled it successfully the second attempt... Rasta sills screaming for mercy all the way...

I left the picture taking to one of the bronco guys whose ram assist went kaput before even reaching the trail. He rode along in my rig, and helped with some spotting. Hopefully he took some good ones. I should have those in my email at work on Monday.

Oh yeah, my question is also about highway driving "to" places you go offroad...how's the handling at the higher setting and highway speeds? The D1 and D2 never seemed bad at all lifted 2", and the D2 was in fact more responsive on medium duty OME lift than stock.

I'd say it rides very similar to an OME'd D1 on the highway...

Disco303 wrote:

...D1 on the highway...

You mean you can't see the sky out the windshield?

DSL wrote:

What's one of them????