Are Leveling Kits Unsafe
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: St.marys, PA
How many inches did you use in the front and back? The kit i was looking at has an optional 1"-2" for the front and 1" in the back.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 2
From: Vallejo, CA
Just place front only spring spacers 3/4" or 1." As long as the backspace you choose is around 5" your good. If the rubber rubs your front control arms at turns, just adjust your steer stops.
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 538
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
JKU Daily Driver, Want to build. Visited local parts accessory shop and heard nothing what i was expecting.
Leveling Kits are unsafe they'll ruin your tires and stress on jeep components. You should install a 2.5" lift
and do it right.
Not what i wanted to hear. Am i getting the run around to spend more?
I know exactly what i want to run: 285x70x17's with 17x9 KMC XD801 Crank wheels, offset? back spacing?
NEVER going any bigger.
I also want to get rid of factory rake and make sure the 285's don't rub. Considered 275's so this doesn't happen.
That's it. Not interested in a lift at all. Want to use that lift money on other cosmetic accessories.
Was looking at the TeraFlex leveling kit
Leveling Kits are unsafe they'll ruin your tires and stress on jeep components. You should install a 2.5" lift
and do it right.
Not what i wanted to hear. Am i getting the run around to spend more?
I know exactly what i want to run: 285x70x17's with 17x9 KMC XD801 Crank wheels, offset? back spacing?
NEVER going any bigger.
I also want to get rid of factory rake and make sure the 285's don't rub. Considered 275's so this doesn't happen.
That's it. Not interested in a lift at all. Want to use that lift money on other cosmetic accessories.
Was looking at the TeraFlex leveling kit
I've had a Zone 2" spacer kit on my 07 Rubi for 9 years. It hasn't affected anything at all on my Jeep. Tires wear just fine. I'm running 285/70/17's
Last edited by CreepJeep; May 23, 2016 at 07:26 AM.
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 782
Likes: 3
From: Pittsburgh, Pa
[QUOTE=nthinuf;4218684]
275 and 285 are the tread width, measured as a percentage of the sidewall height. Not the actual height of the tire. [QUOTE]
Sort of, but not really.
The 275 or 285 IS the width, it's not a ratio or percentage of sidewall.
The sidewall height IS a percentage of the width.
So a 285/70-17 is calculated as follows:
There are 25.4 mm in an inch.
So 285mm divided by 25.4 = width in inches, or 11.22" wide.
Than your sidewall height is 70% of that tread width, or 11.22" times 0.7 (called the aspect ratio) = 7.854" sidewall height.
So you have sidewall above and below the wheel, so that number is doubled, or 7.854" times 2 = 15.708".
And you have to add the wheel diameter to that for total tire height, in this case it is a 17" wheel. So it is 17" + 15.7 = 32.7" tall.
So the old style inch term for that tire would be 32.7x11.22"-17.
So a 285 is always the same width, but change the aspect ratio to a 75 and the tire gets taller.
Have a larger or smaller wheel diameter and the tire gets taller/shorter with the wheel changes.
But the width is the width, 285mm wide is 285mm wide no matter the aspect ratio or wheel diameter.
275 and 285 are the tread width, measured as a percentage of the sidewall height. Not the actual height of the tire. [QUOTE]
Sort of, but not really.
The 275 or 285 IS the width, it's not a ratio or percentage of sidewall.
The sidewall height IS a percentage of the width.
So a 285/70-17 is calculated as follows:
There are 25.4 mm in an inch.
So 285mm divided by 25.4 = width in inches, or 11.22" wide.
Than your sidewall height is 70% of that tread width, or 11.22" times 0.7 (called the aspect ratio) = 7.854" sidewall height.
So you have sidewall above and below the wheel, so that number is doubled, or 7.854" times 2 = 15.708".
And you have to add the wheel diameter to that for total tire height, in this case it is a 17" wheel. So it is 17" + 15.7 = 32.7" tall.
So the old style inch term for that tire would be 32.7x11.22"-17.
So a 285 is always the same width, but change the aspect ratio to a 75 and the tire gets taller.
Have a larger or smaller wheel diameter and the tire gets taller/shorter with the wheel changes.
But the width is the width, 285mm wide is 285mm wide no matter the aspect ratio or wheel diameter.
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 21
From: Grand falls, Newfoundland
That is the one I used, and I added all spacers. I have a little over 2" in front and a little over 1" in the rear compared to my wifes aunts stock jeep. Measured from the fender to the center of the wheel. taking tire out of the measurement.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 3
From: Texas
A leveling kit IS a suspension lift. Comes as either spacers or coils, your choice. But either way, it's a suspension lift. If you don't want to lift the suspension, then trim the fenders or add bumpstops or add a body lift. 275 and 285 are the tread width, measured as a percentage of the sidewall height. Not the actual height of the tire. Can we assume that you are wanting a 33x12.50 or so? Stock backspace is around 6.25". The typical recommendation for a 35x12.50 is 4.5". (1.75" further out than stock). For a 33x12.50, take a guess. Maybe a 5.0 or so? (Offset will change based on the actual width of the rim, so backspace is the easier measurement to use.) Have you opened the two threads stuck right to the top of this Modified area?
JK Junkie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 21
From: Grand falls, Newfoundland
Or to keep the tighter turning radius, just install some wheel spacers. MUCH BETTER. Plus it looks better when sitting too! ha ha. bonus. I ran wheel spacers for over 100,000 miles with no issues.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Area (Beaver Co.)
Ok i guess i should've made myself a little clearer. I understand it's still a lift. i just didn't want a full blown shocks, coils and about a $2000 price tag lift. Just looking for something
simple but effective. I am aware 275 and 285 is the width, but from what I've read any more than 11" wide may rub. the height on the 285 is about 32.7" which i don't think is a problem.
As far as the back spacing i was thinking no more than 5".
I will definitely read those two threads. Thanks
simple but effective. I am aware 275 and 285 is the width, but from what I've read any more than 11" wide may rub. the height on the 285 is about 32.7" which i don't think is a problem.
As far as the back spacing i was thinking no more than 5".
I will definitely read those two threads. Thanks
I did the Rubi Express 2.5" lift this past weekend. $380 out the door. Level plus a little more.
~5hrs with beer breaks. Easy to do with some jack stands, jack, wrenches, and sockets.
Rancho 5000X a month or so ago @ $200 - $50 rebate
The ride is so much better than before.
I was torn between lift or level. The install process is exactly the same... so rather than level now and lift later, just lift now and be happy. And if I want to go from 33 to 35, i'm all set.