P500 Upward and Outward (27s on 12" 4+3)

[futzin]

Pretty much decided to give the little P5 some better height; and since my head-bangin' days are mostly over: some width.

Under consideration: Kenda Bear Claw HTR, undecided on wheels
27x9x12 for front
27x11x12 for rear
4+3 rims front and rear, no spacers

Can anyone guesstify what my width might be? Any other thoughts are welcome. I feel like I wouldn't mind if the rear was wider than the front . . . don't know why . . . maybe better in ruts?

Thanks . . .

 

[Admin]

 

[KYhillbilly]

If not in western KY where its flat i would go out as well. I learned the hard way. Put 1.5" spacers on back the next week. 26" on 12" 4:3 wheels

 

[futzin]

Yikes, that stinks. You went over on 26s on 4/3s? What width tires? What are your front and rear widths now? Wider in the back? Like it?

Will be in plenty of rocky, hilly, off camber situations and whatever mud I can't avoid. (Daniel Boone Nat'l Forest area)
I hadn't really planned on 4+3s and spacers both.

 

[KYhillbilly]

26x11x12 in rear 26x10x12 in front. I will have to measure again but i believe i am now 52" wide with 3" of spacer. I am in the Ashland KY area and it was spooky on steep side hills before the spacers. The front and rear are pretty close to same width with rear spacers. The bad part was i had not added a winch yet so i had a mile and half walk to get my rancher with winch to pull back on all 4's.

 

[futzin]

26x11x12 in rear 26x10x12 in front. I will have to measure again but i believe i am now 52" wide with 3" of spacer. I am in the Ashland KY area and it was spooky on steep side hills before the spacers. The front and rear are pretty close to same width with rear spacers. The bad part was i had not added a winch yet so i had a mile and half walk to get my rancher with winch to pull back on all 4's.

Looks like the weather was good, at least.
I would have thought with 4+3s and spacers that you would be wider.

I tried to find factory wheel offset numbers; no luck yet.

 

[Splorin]

Stock, FR 4.5- 1.5= 1.5 neg off set. Rr4.5- 3.0= .75 neg off set. or so ish...

 

[KYhillbilly]

Pioneer 500 - Factory Wheels and Tires!

Here is the tire/wheel combo that will be included on the Honda Pioneer 500. Front - Maxxis M977H - Tire - 24x8-12, 4Ply - Rim - 12x6 Rear - Maxxis M978H - Tire - 24x10-12, 4Ply - Rim - 12x7.5

hondasxs.com

I may be wider i need to measure again, all i know its much more stable with the spacers.

 

[KYhillbilly]

My wheels are STI HD Alloy telfon coated 5-2 offset and not 4-3 like i thought. Found the paperwork.

 

[70Bones]

I have 1" spacers, and just bought a 4-3 rims off a Yamaha, so I'll be out 2 inches each side, should be 54" wide when I git er done.

 

[futzin]

Thanks guys.

I'm thinking ITP 4+3 steelies, no spacers. Dennis Kirk seems to have the best price on the tires and wheels that I want, but only have 1 of 4 tires in stock. Wonder how long for backorder tires?

@KYhillbilly, your rig looks much better rubber side down!

 

[futzin]

One tire received, no telling when I'll get the others. Can't get tires, can't get Torq Locker, don't want to install winch before locker. But I got the power steering on it, boy howdy!

 

[futzin]

Have now finished the torq locker install, winch install, and mounted the new tires and wheels. Unfortunately, I can't post pics from my phone like I've been doing, for some reason. Not much fun without pics, but I'll say, Damn what a difference going from 24s to 27s, just on looks alone. Can't wait to hit the woods!

 

[Slayer]

@futzin please let me know how this works out for you....this is the exact setup I am looking at. Did you go 4+3 with no spacers? Front and rear width equal?Price?

 

[futzin]

I did go with 4+3 steelies with no spacers. Looks fantastic. Tape measure says front and rear both 53.5 wide but I swear the front looks a scosh wider.
Haven't taken a trail ride yet but will today. I just installed Torq Locker also.

So far this set up with power steering and no anti sway bar feels great. I think I was around $650 for wheels and tires. I've slept since then so I forget!

I can see me installing 1" spacers in rear and adding the Mudbusters package. Not sure though. Would then have a 55" wide machine at the rear plastics. Would prefer a rear fender mud flare instead.

 

[906UP]

I did go with 4+3 steelies with no spacers. Looks fantastic. Tape measure says front and rear both 53.5 wide but I swear the front looks a scosh wider.
Haven't taken a trail ride yet but will today. I just installed Torq Locker also.

So far this set up with power steering and no anti sway bar feels great. I think I was around $650 for wheels and tires. I've slept since then so I forget!

I can see me installing 1" spacers in rear and adding the Mudbusters package. Not sure though. Would then have a 55" wide machine at the rear plastics. Would prefer a rear fender mud flare instead.

Since the wheel offsets on the stock wheels are not equal front to back it will require a 1" spacer on the rears to equal out the front/rear when running the same wheel/offset all the way around.

 

[Sp1992]

28x10-12 cst wild thangs on itp steel wheels. 4+3 offset. About 1" narrower on the rear.

 

[futzin]

I'm running 9s front, 11s rear

 

[trigger]

I'm running 9s front, 11s rear

So you have 4+3's, 9's in front and 11's in rear and you want to add spacers? Why, do you find it tippy?

 

[Splorin]

Run it. See how ya like it before spacin it.

 

[futzin]

So you have 4+3's, 9's in front and 11's in rear and you want to add spacers? Why, do you find it tippy?

I only said I was considering it. I just don't want the front wider than the rear (and it isn't).

Run it. See how ya like it before spacin it.

Took it out for an extended ride yesterday. Love it! Didn't get into much off camber stuff, but not planning on any spacers.

Doing so many mods essentially at once transformed the machine. Much much smoother and way more capable.

Bought it last year, put 200 miles on it. Did some bolt on stuff, nothing to effect capability. Over the winter:
1. Removed anti sway bar
2. Installed Power steering
3. Installed Torq Locker.
4. Installed 27" tires on 12" 4+3 wheels

I know not everyone can do these things all at once, but damn it was so worth it! Still surprised the Mrs didn't cut me off.

I'm now at 53.5" wide front and rear and the difference in the woods is noticeable for sure. Before, I was just a little wider than a 4 wheeler. Now, I feel like I'm just a little narrower than a standard SxS. Still, for the significant improvements in ride quality and capability, I have zero regrets. HUGE smile on my face after going up Rubble Hill (as I call it). The power steering is fantastic, and really helps navigating tight spaces quicker and more accurately. I did high center it once; winch works fine! Also used the winch on a large log. I had a really good day! Rolling around in the cool weather with roof, windshield and rear panel was pleasant.

Coming back on topic:
The tires are definitely aggressive, but I'm very happy with them. But they are NOT turf friendly, and people will be able to track you on most any surface! Great for gravel, dirt, mud and rocks. Not the best on pavement, not surprisingly. Not bad though. They do throw some mud, but unless the Mrs. objects to how much gets on her, I'll not do Mudbusters at this time. I would like to add center caps to the wheels though if I can. Not crazy about the white showing.

Sorry about the rambling, just wanted to get my observations down someplace.

Big thanks again to you guys for the help. I'm sure I'll do a few more things to it, but for now I'm excited about my Critter!