Bearhunter:
Honestly, yes I would put another set of 27" tires under my 'Cat if I had it to do over again. Actually, I'm really hoping that my Dad will end up buying a set as well for his 'Cat as soon as his stockers wear out. Yeah, with the Auto, I did loose a VERY SLIGHT bit of power on a decent sloped incline in high gear, but in low range, you can't tell a damned bit of difference. I'm still towing and pulling everything I did before with the stock tires, now with my 27" 'Claws. If you're interested, take a look at the "snow photos" at the link below. I didn't take enough of the good ones, but I had to tow the suburban with the trailer hooked up on 4 separate occassions up the hill in over 2' of snow. Then, tow the sub. once by itself, and finally winch the entire rig back up on the road after dad put it over the edge. From those photos, the snow doesn't look that deep, but that's after we packed it down. You can get a little better idea of how deep it was from the other pics in there, as the 'Cat is half gone in a few of them. And, honestly, if it wasn't for the added ground clearance of the tires, along with the traction gain, I would have never made it in there in those conditions. I know for a fact my dad's stock 'Cat would not have made it, as it was having trouble in about 18" of snow while elk hunting.

As for the stock rims, the 'Claws actually measure at, or larger, than they claim, and fit fine. I really don't think you'd need aftermarket rims, unless you want the "pretty finish". In fact, I think Boner is trading his ITP wheels in, trying to get another set of "stock" rims for his Tri-Clawed 'Cat. Something about the ITP's had a different offset or something, and didn't mount up as well as the stockers did. You'd have to ask him for sure, but I think it was something like that.

Anyway, I think you're wise to go with the 10's in front, as they'll be much easier for trail riding, etc. And, I REALLY DOUBT you'll rub anywhere with the Bugs. I rubbed SLIGHTLY on my muffler heat shield when the rear axle was at full articulation, but all it did was scrape the mud off the shield, nothing else. Since installing the spacers, it doesn't do that anymore.

I think Irichard is running stock rims as well (???) with his Vampire tires, which are also 27". He had a lift kit for a while, but removed it for fear of cv joint failure. You might get ahold of him if you can, he lives up there in Alaska as well, and chances are, he has ridden in most of the terrain you'll soon be encountering. Hell, I bet he's even got a few tricks up his sleeve for some of that stuff.

Not sure if that helped or not, but I think you'll be rather happy with your set-up once you get it out in the sticks and see what it can do. Anyway, if there's anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to ask, I'd be glad to try and help if I can. There are a ton of other great guys on here with a wealth of great information as well who I'm sure would be glad to help too.

Anyway, best of luck!

Mike

 

Thanks alot for the advice, that's very good to hear...I am very anxious to get the Cat and explore with those tires!

Do you have Spacers all around on your bike or just on the rear??

 

Oh, sorry about that I should have been more clear. I don't have the wheel spacers, which I'm assuming you're thinking of? I made a 3/8" thick spacer which fits between the spring/shock base, and the larger flat washer type base that holds the spring in place on the bottom end of the shock. Hope that makes sense, kind of hard to explain. Anyway, I have 3/8" spacers in the rear of each spring, and 1/2" still up front under the springs. This essentially increases ground clearance and at the same time, further stabilizes the machine. I carry a lot of weight up front at all times, and quite a bit on the back as well, so the spacers relieve my "sagging" front end problems that you'll get without them.

Sorry for the confusion, hope that clears it up a bit.

Mike

 

That's right!! I do remember reading about your spring spacers.

Thanks again for help.....And someday I may ask for details on your spring spacers again....Ha Ha.

 

I am looking to trade in my ITP wheels for stockers, not cause of the offset but because of the weight. They are just to heavy duty for a mud rider like myself. They would be perfect for say a rock crawler like ANDY or some one who rides in more opens woods.

WHERE I ride there is no room in the woods to go past 5 mph, so the stockers are more than strong enough.

If anyone is intrested in a trade for these wheels just tell me, I have been getting alot of people considering the trade but no one has commited yet.