Really need to lift JK?
 

I understand that JK with lift and 35" tires (or bigger) make it easier going through Rubicon trail and crawling huge rocks in Moab... AND it might look good. :cool:

BUT...

I had 02 TJ before and with Goodyear MT/R tires (pretty much same size as stock), it handled pretty much any rough trails without lift. I love backpacking/climbing/mountaineering, and in order to get to the trailhead/base camp, I've been to many snowy, muddy, rocky, un-maintained National Park / National Forest roads, old mining roads, closed roads etc. all over Pacific Northwest, Southwest and the West. I've been to High Sierra (pretty much everywhere around Mammoth Lakes - Lone Pine), Mt Shasta (where some parts to the trailhead has deep volcano sand), rough trail to Boundary Peak (NV) in winter, "Jeep trails" in Death Valley NP and Arches NP, Black Rock Desert, BLM in NV, Cororado Rockies etc. My 02 TJ handled very well without lift or 35' tires. Never had major problem.

It seems like 07 Rubicon is even more capable of handling those nasty trails. In fact, other than wearing Goodyear MT/R tires (looks like stock size), stock JK Rubicon made to the top of Ojos del Salado (21,804 ft.). Stock JK Rubicon with Goodyear MT/R tires climbed the world's highest volcano and set a new world record recently. I've already gone to some snowy, muddy pretty bad conditioned NF roads in the Cascades with my Rubi and didn't have any problem. Stock BFG tires handled thick mud mixed with snow very well! :)

Reading here at JK-Form, it "seems" like almost everyone has lifted or planning to lift their JK and get bigger tires. And, I started to think that I need to lift my JK and need to get bigger tires in order to perform well.

I see installing lift and bigger tires increase approach and departure angle but then it may not as stable as stock height for steep climb because the JK's body sits higher. In my experience, as long as you pick the right course/route, around 10" ground clearance is more than enough to handle very rough Jeep trails. Yes, in order to "crawl rocks" intentionally, you might need "lift+huge tires" package, but if you are driving through rough Jeep trail, and if you are going to driving around the huge rocks instead of driving over... It seems to me the height of JK is perfect for most of the rough trails. The size of the stock tires seem appropriate also. I can't imagine changing 35" tire in a bad trail / non flat unstable ground all by myself (I usually go by myself or with my wife and a dog)... A couple of times I had to do it with my TJ, and my MT/R tire was bad enough... so heavy.

Am I missing something? Does it really make a big difference (performance-wise) with lift + bigger tires in terms of approaching rough trails + long trip? :thinking:

Okay why I was wondering is because...

I'm planning a trip from Canadian border (Idaho) to Mexican border (California) by using 99% off-road! Yes, 99% pavement free from Canada to Mexico!! It goes through Bitterroot Range (ID) - Hells Canyon (ID/OR)- Steen Mtns. (OR) - Black Rock Desert (NV) - Great basin (NV) - Inyo Mtns. (NV/CA) - Mojave Desert (CA).

I've read this route on National Geographic Adventure magazine (Aug 04 issue). Of course, they (a couple) used Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (TJ) to do this journey (it took them 20 days). It doesn't look like TJ Rubi was lifted or modified but I was wondering it makes easier with "lift+big tires" or stick with stock... I was wondering which is more reliable and capable for such long off-road trip.

Has anyone done this?

I'm not familiar with that particular trip, but I can tell you that there are a lot of us who like to find the most difficult trails that our Jeeps can travel. Stock sized tires just will NOT allow enough clearance on many of them. And travelling around the rocks is not always an option.

definitly agree with the about. Just the other weekend. We were out at beasely and a few places i came close to getting a rock or 2 but there were no other lines to take (its a narrow trail) I say aslong as u went mild u could have the best of both worlds. I have 2" spacer and 35" tires and it alows enough flex/ground clearance yet doesnt make my jeep sit so high that it feels like it will tip. If anything, put a little bigger tire on the stock rim

I'd say the answer to your question is the same as the answer to the following question:

Do you need to be able to get over (as opposed to around) big obstacles?

I'm of the same mind as you for similar reason: The JK is to get me to the trailhead. Previously I've been using a two wheel drive F150, and it had its limitations. I need to be able to travel typical backcountry 4WD roads, not crawl across rocks. Self-rescue is a concern, so I'm thinking a winch would be handy. But, lift/huge tires doesn't seem necessary to me.

BTW, moun10eer, are you a member of SummitPost?

Dude! :bowdown:

For what it's worth. OUt of the 5 jeeps I've owned, I have never lifted any of them. I have put alittle larger tires on them, but only a inch or two over stock. When I've run with others with there lifts and large tires, it made alot of trails to easy. No challenge. Running stock , trail driving is much more exciting. Plus you have all the cost of regearing, drive line angle, etc. My .02 worth. Ps. If you start hanging on heavy bumpers,, winches and such. Then a little lift can help so your not sitting lower then stock, but then stronger springs will keep that from happening.

i drive mostly the paved roads and want to keep my jeep getting the 21 mpg so lifting and larger tires might not be in my future. i really like the ride stock at this point and don't want to screw it up. but those who lift its all good . i do like a challenge and going stock might be :yup:

I second that. but i also agree going around isnt always an option. So this isnt an easy question to answer, and i think everyone needs to honestly evaluate their own ability, the stock ability of the Jeep, and where you will be using it. Then adapt it for your personnal use.

For me, i dont expessedly need a lift, nor do i need bigger tires. I do however NEED better tread than stock. Do I need them bigger diameter? or do i need to sit higher? probably not for 95% of the time, but it will allow me that little bit extra to go just a little further than i can now or at least give me the illusion that i can. (i said once before that people used to drool over 32"s, now they come stock and we all still want bigger)

I am of the mindset that i want the thing capable of just a little bit more than i am. That way, i shouldnt have to worry about capability, just my own stupidity. :toung: Takes one factor out of the equation.