Raptor Wheels

[Druid]

Hey Adieu,

I don't think the caps are necessarily overrated. They come with gaskets to keep crud out of the wheel centers. Painting the axle end would mask the color, but you don't want to paint the threaded portion. You also wouldn't want moisture and muck getting in there and causing the axle nut and threads to rust or deteriorate.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Hey Andy,

A small lift might look good here too, but no more than 1-1.5". I'll definitely wait til I change the shocks before thinking about it.

That's a good idea Drew. I don't want to get too crazy because I don't want to put bigger tires but I would like to get a little more ground clearance for when we get deep snows, which isn't too often but when we do, I'm the one who runs my daughters to work so they don't have to drive in that stuff.

Why 1-1/2" as opposed to 2" any particular reason?

 

[Adieu]

Hey Adieu,

I don't think the caps are necessarily overrated. They come with gaskets to keep crud out of the wheel centers. Painting the axle end would mask the color, but you don't want to paint the threaded portion. You also wouldn't want moisture and muck getting in there and causing the axle nut and threads to rust or deteriorate.

If its painted or covered in plastidip/bedliner, it shouldn't rust.... and as to any concerns over removable coatings interfering with the thread - that stuff comes off easy

Btw, your capped-off axle was pretty rusted anyway. And will be ever more susceptible after the cut, unless you treated the newly created surface with something?

 

[Druid]

That's a good idea Drew. I don't want to get too crazy because I don't want to put bigger tires but I would like to get a little more ground clearance for when we get deep snows, which isn't too often but when we do, I'm the one who runs my daughters to work so they don't have to drive in that stuff.

Why 1-1/2" as opposed to 2" any particular reason?

Hey Andy,

I'm just interested in keeping things close to the way they were engineered. I realize that many have put 2/3 lifts with no problems, but I'm more comfortable with it close to stock specs and think it would look good with just an extra 1-1.5" of lift if I decided to go that way.

 

[Druid]

If its painted or covered in plastidip/bedliner, it shouldn't rust.... and as to any concerns over removable coatings interfering with the thread - that stuff comes off easy

Btw, your capped-off axle was pretty rusted anyway. And will be ever more susceptible after the cut, unless you treated the newly created surface with something?

That was 10 years of rust on the tip. The threads were in great shape. A bit of grease on both should keep them both rust-free for some time.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Hey Andy,

I'm just interested in keeping things close to the way they were engineered. I realize that many have put 2/3 lifts with no problems, but I'm more comfortable with it close to stock specs and think it would look good with just an extra 1-1.5" of lift if I decided to go that way.

Okay that's a good point. I don't want to over stress anything either. I don't like how the rear wheel moves closer to the front on the big lifts and I can't see me doing a body lift either.

 

[rjdelp7]

You cut your axles? Oh man! I am pretty sure those holes were for a puller tool to remove hub. A cheap set of wheel spacers, would of worked.

 

[Druid]

Not a fan. If I find I need that divot, it's literally 10 seconds with a drill, esp. since the location is still marked. (For those interested, the hole is ~5/16" at the opening, but tapers down quickly). That said, others feel the same way as you and add spacers. To each their own; I'm just showing anyone interested what's involved.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Not a fan. If I find I need that divet, it's literally 10 seconds with a drill, esp. since the location is still marked. That said, others feel the same way as you and add spacers. To each their own; I'm just showing anyone interested what's involved.

I'd cut the axle and taper the end of the thread. That little bit you cut off isn't going to hurt anything.

 

[FRD88]

Thanks for the post Druid. I am planning the same thing for my 05 Exp. Just waiting on $ for new rubber and glad to know that 285's will fit without a lift. I heard that you can trim the center cap instead of cutting the axle. I haven't decided which way I am going to go but one way or the other I will get the center caps on.