Going up to 40'
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 195
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From: Buena Park, CA
To push those huge tires around offroad, I immediately think drive train. You will need gearing, axle shafts, lockers, driveshafts and if you do get those big meats trucking down the highway you're going to need to be able to stop them. Big brake upgrade will be needed. Might as well do full D60s. On a budget, don't go 40s. 37s would be more manageable, but would also need the same list as above, but reinforce your axles, steering and braking.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Buena Park, CA
There is no bare minimum to run 40's, especially if you want to wheel . You need axles, driveshafts, brakes, and engine power. Cheapest way would be mopar Dana 60's , 1350 driveshafts , brake hardware, and a tuner to correct axle ratios and tire diameter. I'm sure there's more you'll want to do over what you just need.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,222
Likes: 376
From: Southwest Reno, NV
Realistically plan on dropping about $12-$20k to make the upgrade to 40's. There really is not a good way to go 40's a piece at a time while you are saving up. They require so much that it is best to just do it all at once. You need axle for strength and for width for steering and for stuffing the tires. I would look for at least a 68" WMS and 3" bs wheels. You will need new wheels as 5x5 bolt pattern will not fit ton hubs. Driveshafts will be needed and sized to the new axles. Unless you can find some really cheap axles and can build them yourself you are looking at $10-$12k for tires, wheels, axles, and driveshafts and there will likely bet other things you are going to have to do depending on how you do your suspension set up.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Buena Park, CA
Realistically plan on dropping about $12-$20k to make the upgrade to 40's. There really is not a good way to go 40's a piece at a time while you are saving up. They require so much that it is best to just do it all at once. You need axle for strength and for width for steering and for stuffing the tires. I would look for at least a 68" WMS and 3" bs wheels. You will need new wheels as 5x5 bolt pattern will not fit ton hubs. Driveshafts will be needed and sized to the new axles. Unless you can find some really cheap axles and can build them yourself you are looking at $10-$12k for tires, wheels, axles, and driveshafts and there will likely bet other things you are going to have to do depending on how you do your suspension set up.
JK Junkie
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville NC
Jeeps
I think you should Try 38's or 37's First. But honestly you need to ride the trails with someone or a group and find out what your limitations are. One of the Most important mods is lockers. They will allow you to tackle obstacles that cannot be done easily with open/open. I think you will find that most trails can be done with 35's. If you going for the look and don't want to feel Inferior to Lifted trucks.... thats not going to happen... there will always be a truck that is stupid lifted on 40's that is completely useless off the pavement. I know its frustrating that a stock Nissan Titan is Taller when your stopped at a light, Even with 4" lift and 35's but this is the world we live in. Trucks are in the minor league, Jeeps are in the Majors. You will find on the trails fewer trucks than Jeeps thats because they can't hang.
JK Freak
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 842
Likes: 9
From: St Louis
I'll give you my .02. I would suggest to go 2 door and run 37s. I have ran 35s, 37s, and now 40s with my 4 door. A 2 door with 37s can go most all the same places a 4 door with 40s can. The 4 door/40s will climb a little steeper maybe but not by much, especially if the 2 door/37s is sitting just right and stretched a few inches. Sell the 4 door, get a 2 door and run 37s. If you have plenty of money go for it and you will love it. I definitely love mine and it's a lot of fun.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Buena Park, CA
I'll give you my .02. I would suggest to go 2 door and run 37s. I have ran 35s, 37s, and now 40s with my 4 door. A 2 door with 37s can go most all the same places a 4 door with 40s can. The 4 door/40s will climb a little steeper maybe but not by much, especially if the 2 door/37s is sitting just right and stretched a few inches. Sell the 4 door, get a 2 door and run 37s. If you have plenty of money go for it and you will love it. I definitely love mine and it's a lot of fun.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 471
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From: Phoenix, AZ