I've been looking at different coil & budget lifts, wheels, tires, both expensive & cheaper routes to go. Currently the jeep is still a bone stock 2009 sahara unlimited. I want to keep as much of a stock/plush ride as possible, as this jeep will not be a rock crawler for at least another 4 years (when the warranty is done). Until then, it's a camping/trail/weekend/DD/family hauler type of wheeling that just needs extra clearance so I don't tear up anything. I've decided nothing yet, as finances just aren't there right now, but I have narrowed down the amount of lift I'm after. Looking for 2-2.5" of lift, either coil or spacers. Shocks are probably going to be OME nitrochargers, no matter which lift i get. (The RC 2.5" series II BB is looking like it's going to be the winner @ $180 with all the required relocation brackets included).

One important issue that's dogging me is the subject of wheel backspacing. Do all lifts require the backspacing due to their design (with the rear sway bar links hitting the rim or tire), or do some require the backspacing due to the increased tire size people put on after the lift? Wheel options up here in Vancouver are horrible. One place that I've looked at is asking just over $200 per wheel (at 17x8", 4.5" backspacing, 5x5 bold pattern), for either steel or alloys, which automatically adds almost $1200 to any lift I put on. They also stock the Rough Country wheel spacers for $60/pair (half the price of Spidertrax). The budget is tight, but I also haul my 2 1/2 month old son in the jeep regularly, so safety is of the utmost importance to me. I've also read somewhere that the 18" wheels work better with some BB's that need more BS due to the rear sway bar link bolts missing the rim. Is this true?

So basically, I need to find out which 2.5" BB/Coil lifts will absolutely require me to get new wheels or spacers, and which will not.

Thanks in advance

 

Nobody knows?

 

I'll probably be doing the work in stages...ie lift first, then tires (and wheels/spacers if necessary). As for tires, I'm hoping to be running a 275/70r18 (roughly 33.2" x 11") on the stock wheels when I have the money to do so. I'm trying to get away from having to use any spacers or new wheels if I can avoid it (ie only minor rub at full articulation/turn).

What I'm trying to find out is which kits that I will (or won't) need new wheels or spacers with the stock wheels & tires, and later on when I can afford to put on the the 33's.

 

I got a 2.5" Teraflex coil lift. 1.5" spacers are needed for it. I think a wide stance is cool.

 

If you are going in stages you might want to reverse your order. Get wheels with 4.5" backspacing first. They will work with the stock suspension set up and your jeep will look great with a slightly wider track. Then add lift after when you can afford to and you'll have no headaches over clearances.

Spending $240 on wheel spacers for temporary use is a waste, imo.

 

I have the 2.5 teraflex bb. I don't need spacers because I bought wheels with 4.6 backspacing. I like te width of the backspacing tho

 

The problem with getting wheels first is that if I'm spending $1000+ on wheels, I'd be best off getting 17" for long-term tire savings over 18"...in which case my stock 18" tires will be of no use so I will have to spend another $1200+ on new tires immediately...vs. $240 for spacers.

Either way, this is getting away from the original point of the post. Do some 2-2.5" coil/spacer lifts require 4.5" backspacing and others don't? If so, which ones?

 

Anyone know?

 

I run 33x11.5 (285/70/17) with no lift and no wheel spacer with no clearance issue, only minor rubbing on front swaybar at full turn.

You can add Teraflex leveling kit, it add 1.5'' and you dont need additional parts(relocation bracket,trackbars etc..), its around 130$ and you should be fine with stock sahara wheels with 33x11.5

If you really want 2''-2.5'' of lift, make sure you get adj trackbar or trackbar bracket to recenter your axles if they are not centered correctly it may cause rubbing issues if youre not running wheelspacers. You can also mount rear swaybar links by the inside to get more clearance between wheel and links but your rear tire will still be very close to the control arms. (mine has 3/8'' of clearance)

 

have you read this info? maybe it will help.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...ery-Newbie-Has