Upper idlers 7" , can I run an 8" upper idler?

[alaskanbowtie]

The Fabcraft idlers are either 8" or 5-5/8" , the small one is to small for my upper idlers, (won't clear shock eye) yet I want them to match. Can I run the 8" idlers on the uppers which would make them 1/2" higher than the stock ones. This will decrease tunnel clearance but is it really an issue ? Looks to be more than enough tunnel clearance to sacrifice 1/2" . I could drop them down a 1/2" but then I'd loose some transfer and I don't want that. I just thought I would bounce this off you guys to make sure there's nothing I'm forgetting.

 

[maxdlx]

I run 7.5's on my viper and have more than enough room for 1/2 inch more. Maxdlx

 

[LazyBastard]

There is one important thing you have to remember about this; the bottom stoppers bump against the shaft the wheels are on. If the wheels are too big, they will be able to extend below the RAILS when it bottoms out. Usually when it bottoms out, it is HARD. If you bottom out against ice or rock, you can cause damage to the wheels, the shaft, and possibly the tunnel.

 

[alaskanbowtie]

I knew there was something

There is one important thing you have to remember about this; the bottom stoppers bump against the shaft the wheels are on. If the wheels are too big, they will be able to extend below the RAILS when it bottoms out. Usually when it bottoms out, it is HARD. If you bottom out against ice or rock, you can cause damage to the wheels, the shaft, and possibly the tunnel.

>>>
THX LB, I didn't think of this, so when the suspension is under full compression/squate the upper idlers actually serve as bump stops ? Wow , this is something I haven't heard but I can see where it could be a problem.

 

[LazyBastard]

They're not really bump stops, but they do come all the way down to just touch the track. You want to avoid having them actually take a hit from the ground.