I value this forums knowledge & opinions. It has been very helpful to this jeep owner. I need your help in determining what will help give me a better quality ride in my jeep.

Here is my setup----I use my jeep as a utility vehicle on my ranch. The ranch is typical Texas Hill Country with 50% rocky, rough roads & 50% smoother gravel roads. I don't do heavy off roading, but 90% of the the use of my jeep is off the pavement on the ranch roads. I have ruined 2 of the stock goodyear wrangler tires in the last 6 months by having sidewall punctures when I did venture off the ranch roads into the pasture.

I have a 4 door 2009 unlimited X automatic 3.73 gears & 17" wheels. I have added a Body Armor Front bumper with a warn 9.5 winch. In addition, the front bumper has a receiver hitch and I usually carry an ice chest & tools (+/- 100 pounds) on the front.

On the rear, I still have the stock bumper, but I have a swing away receiver hitch carrier that holds a cattle feeder. Weight is about 300 pounds on the rear.

Needless to say, I know I need to beef up my suspension system & get new tougher tires.

Regarding my tires, I would like to keep the stock wheels. In terms of tire size, I am thinking I will go to 32's or 33's. I had thought the goodyear MTR's with Kevlar might be the best answer however I want Black sidewalls and I don't think they make them in a 33" tire. Based upon this forum it appears the KM2's with heavy duty sidewalls might be the next best answer. Am I on the right track with my tire choice? What size works best with stock 17" wheels and a +/- 2" lift?

I discussed my situation with my service advisor at the dealership and he has suggested I have them install a Mopar 2" lift with bilstein shocks. I can't find much feedback on this lift in these forums. Is this a good lift? What suggestions do you have for me in regards to: lift; shocks; etc. My price range for lift, shocks, etc (including labor) is no mre than $2500.

Thanks for your help.

 

If you haven't looked through the FAQ's yet (top of this modified area, not the faq's at the top of the site) be sure to do so. Lots of good info on lifts and tire backspacing and all that)

Dealer installed lifts are way, way overpriced. Also, there is some contention on whether or not they will void the warranties. (my opinion, yes they will, just like any aftermarket lift) If you go this route, be sure to get it in writing!! And even then, any dealership other than the one you use can and will decline the warranty work...

You can get the same lifts for much less online or at any local 4x4 shop. Look into a few and decide which way you want to go. With that budget, you can get a very nice lift. Just decide how high you want to end up first, and then look at specific lifts and components.

For the tires, any of the heavier mt's should be fine, but go through a shop with warranty certs for free replacement!! (I use Discount Tire for the national warranty, which I have used several times while traveling.)