[chizzle1]

How much less life will I get from my wheel bearings if I run a 35" swamper vs a 33" BFG Mud Terrain?

I am debating about keeping the swampers on over the winter, my BFGs are getting pretty worn and are starting to crack around the bead (age I'm guessing). But I was wondering how detrimental this is for the drivetrain.
It takes more pedal to go the same speed with all the extra weight & drag so my MPG will be shot, but how bad will it effect the wheel bearings & tranny?
thanks

 

[Loud_Dodge]

The extra weight is definately more than what the parks (bearings, etc.) were designed to withstand. There are some simple replacements you can do to prolong the life of your bearings and other components. You can change your bushings to polyurethane bushings that would withstand more weight and help keep so much stress off of other parts (EnergySuspension.com). Your U-Joints might be under "more than normal" stress, you could upgrade those. Other than that all you would have to do is replace them more often.

 

[chizzle1]

thanks. I know the bushings need to be replaced, they are OEM. The ball joints are strarting to fail already, having just replaced them about 30,000 miles ago this kinda pisses me off. Not a complete pain in the ass, but takes some time & money, which I am short on right now.

The rear should be good, just had it rebuilt when the new Yukon 4.11s were installed about 1.5 years (20k miles) ago.

The u joints, also OEM, are probably about due for replacement as well. I don't drive the truck that often so I don't really think about it, just noticed how much pedal it took to run 65 in OD on the way back from tuttle yesterday.

If I ever get outta the hole I am in right now (and get some time) I plan on rebuilding the front end, complete with spray on rubberized undercoating on all the suspension pieces (salt on the road in winter - sucks!).