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I am running 35x13.50x15 Toyo Open Country MT's (which suck) with tons of Rock rash etc. This is on my 1981 Trekker (1st gen SA)
They were able to balance these things with all the weight on one side:
No Death Wobble!!
So issues I ran into with these:
Up front I am running V6 Calipers and LC vented Rotors, the Centramatic would not clear the caliper, not sure if this would have been the case if I had the stock brakes up front.
Solution-mount a set of Wheel spacers(i went 1.5", probably could have gotten by with 1" or 1.25")
there was no issues with clearance in the back:
PROS:
-they balance out wheel/tire combos that are totally out of balance and make it drive very nice
-easy installation in most cases
-saves money over long run if you throw weights all the time like I do (Les Schwab is about $50 to balance a set of tires)
-longer tire life(truckers report 200K out of a set of tires)
-Many applications available (see link above)
CONS:
-Cost: about $200 a set
-Would not clear my front caliper with out wheel spacers
-when you stop, they kind of have to start over again as the internal weights inside settle to the bottom of the ring. It works as you pick up speed.
Overall I very happy with them. They balanced out my big tires that had a ton of weight on them. I will probably knock the external lead weights off them (gonna fall off anyway).
Last edited by dropzone; 04-21-2011 at 05:44 AM.
Reason: added link to 4crawlers website
I have been running with these for a while now. The first time I drove with them it blew my mind! I have old BFG's mud terrain 33" usually driving w/them was loud & had a pretty good vibration at speed. After the balancers went on it made my truck ride like a Cadillac!
When you're first starting out <20 mph you can feel them starting to work, then at about 20-25 when they start to get equalized you can feel your truck smooth out, anything above that and they're super smooth.
My only regret is not getting these years ago.
Shortly after I replaced my steering dampener, and now my 90' pick up has almost as smooth & tight of a ride as my wife's 2010 Camry.
These things are great.
I agree that $200 a set is a little steep, but still after 4-5 times balancing it pays for itself. I haven't had experience with the equal or other similar products, but if they work as well & are cheaper, then I'd recommend putting that S--t in today!!! Your back will thank you for it
Since I mount my own tires, I started using plastic air soft BBs inside my tires. 1st experiment was with my single axle trailer. It would bounce just enough to make it annoying, it came with 205-75 15 bias belted tires. 3oz in each tire smoothed it right out. I have since put them in my girlfriends tires on her car and also her motorcycle. I use our digital postal scale to weigh out exact amounts and I cheat and use the chart here to figure how much weight I will need; http://www.innovativebalancing.com/BigTirechart.htm
1998 4 Runner LTD STOCK ----Purchased a pair earlier this year for rear end in Aug for I knew I'd be driving to Plano for a visit. Discount just cannot seem to get the rear balanced right. Got tired so got the Centramatics. They said made for JEEP but same 5 hole pattern. Company is more geared towards 18 wheelers and large trucks. BOttom line, they did great. Rear end balanced! I sent the seller an update and photo but no response. Here is pic installed on a stock Runner .
Centramatics do not touch the rear wheel. Close.
04-20-2011, 09:19 AM
) with tons of Rock rash etc. This is on my 1981 Trekker (1st gen SA)
