My thoughts on lifts
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro, NC
Just plain AWESOME.
Your gear ratio is very important to look at, while with the new motor and 3.73 gears people seem good with 35's, a 4.10 would be a better ratio over the 3.73 but I would not spend the money for such a small increase in ratio. Where you live and where you drive will have a big difference as well. If the terrain is flat and you drive a lot at highway speeds then you will be happier with 4.10 vs 4.56 but if you live in the hills and spend most of your time in city driving or lower speeds the performance gear set would be better.
Off road you will really notice a big difference with a performance gear ratio if you have the standard transfer case. Those with the 4.10 can run much better with an everyday gear ratio due to the extra step down in the transfer case.
All in all you should be looking at what is best for you as a daily driver and not get sucked into the whole "you need big tires and a big lift because you have a jeep" due to the fact you off road a couple times a year on dirt trails.
The JKU is a long vehicle and drags the belly, that is what it does. It really is a piss poor off road vehicle due to the wheelbase and overall length. Its better then a full size pick up but not by much. Protecting the belly and learning how to properly pick your lines will make you a better driver in the long run then just jacking the jeep up and throwing it at an obstacle, I will guarantee that there will always be a more challenging trail somewhere that is going to do damage to your rig no matter how much you build it. When the trail get too easy due to your building you get bored and try harder stuff, that is just how it is.
Off road you will really notice a big difference with a performance gear ratio if you have the standard transfer case. Those with the 4.10 can run much better with an everyday gear ratio due to the extra step down in the transfer case.
All in all you should be looking at what is best for you as a daily driver and not get sucked into the whole "you need big tires and a big lift because you have a jeep" due to the fact you off road a couple times a year on dirt trails.
The JKU is a long vehicle and drags the belly, that is what it does. It really is a piss poor off road vehicle due to the wheelbase and overall length. Its better then a full size pick up but not by much. Protecting the belly and learning how to properly pick your lines will make you a better driver in the long run then just jacking the jeep up and throwing it at an obstacle, I will guarantee that there will always be a more challenging trail somewhere that is going to do damage to your rig no matter how much you build it. When the trail get too easy due to your building you get bored and try harder stuff, that is just how it is.
To ensure I have this right, here's what I understood:
1. More tire equals more clearance.
2. More tire means make sure my gear ratio is adequate to support the larger tires.
3. More tire means make sure I have the clearance around the tire for articulation/flex and
regular use of larger tires.
4. In place of just throwing on a lift to run larger tires, start with new fenders, spacers, and
some possible trimming here or there in the necessary/appropriate spots.
5. I also could use a 1" body lift or some form of inexpensive BB to get the clearance for the
tires.
6. Decide what amount of tires I really need for what I plan to do with Jeep.
7. I am going to research under body armor and possible tucking of low spots under jeep.
8. As I add weight with mods such as Brawler knockers, Bumpers, and such, I may want to
Think about adding better springs and shocks to support everything and improve handling
Both on and off road.
I'm wrIting this and wondering how many guys throw thousands of dollars at their build and will never trully use their jeep to its true potential. I've taken the stock JKU sport through what seems like difficult trails, we'll to me they were especially as a newbie. I've been through Brown Mtn. and did about half of Dutch John at Uwahrrie.
Anyway, I now feel like I can make some educated decisions about starting my build for my jeep.
Thanks again, Rafa
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 4
From: Israel
THANK YOU! I have learned a lot over the past 12 hours.
To ensure I have this right, here's what I understood:
1. More tire equals more clearance.
2. More tire means make sure my gear ratio is adequate to support the larger tires.
3. More tire means make sure I have the clearance around the tire for articulation/flex and
regular use of larger tires.
4. In place of just throwing on a lift to run larger tires, start with new fenders, spacers, and
some possible trimming here or there in the necessary/appropriate spots.
5. I also could use a 1" body lift or some form of inexpensive BB to get the clearance for the
tires.
6. Decide what amount of tires I really need for what I plan to do with Jeep.
7. I am going to research under body armor and possible tucking of low spots under jeep.
8. As I add weight with mods such as Brawler knockers, Bumpers, and such, I may want to
Think about adding better springs and shocks to support everything and improve handling
Both on and off road.
I'm wrIting this and wondering how many guys throw thousands of dollars at their build and will never trully use their jeep to its true potential. I've taken the stock JKU sport through what seems like difficult trails, we'll to me they were especially as a newbie. I've been through Brown Mtn. and did about half of Dutch John at Uwahrrie.
Anyway, I now feel like I can make some educated decisions about starting my build for my jeep.
Thanks again, Rafa
To ensure I have this right, here's what I understood:
1. More tire equals more clearance.
2. More tire means make sure my gear ratio is adequate to support the larger tires.
3. More tire means make sure I have the clearance around the tire for articulation/flex and
regular use of larger tires.
4. In place of just throwing on a lift to run larger tires, start with new fenders, spacers, and
some possible trimming here or there in the necessary/appropriate spots.
5. I also could use a 1" body lift or some form of inexpensive BB to get the clearance for the
tires.
6. Decide what amount of tires I really need for what I plan to do with Jeep.
7. I am going to research under body armor and possible tucking of low spots under jeep.
8. As I add weight with mods such as Brawler knockers, Bumpers, and such, I may want to
Think about adding better springs and shocks to support everything and improve handling
Both on and off road.
I'm wrIting this and wondering how many guys throw thousands of dollars at their build and will never trully use their jeep to its true potential. I've taken the stock JKU sport through what seems like difficult trails, we'll to me they were especially as a newbie. I've been through Brown Mtn. and did about half of Dutch John at Uwahrrie.
Anyway, I now feel like I can make some educated decisions about starting my build for my jeep.
Thanks again, Rafa
You may also want to consider --
Recovery gear, at least the basics like ropes/straps
Tire carrier
Deflating/inflating the tires
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Bremerton, WA
I Just read this article for the first time (I'm on deployment and don't get many chances to visit the site) and loved it. A great read for the new guys joining the forum daily. I'll definitely be referencing all the "what lift...?" topics to this. Sorry its so late but great write up DirtMan.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Berkshire, UK
Great discussion!
So, let me ask the question: would you re-gear a 2D 3.8 Rubi w manual trans, to accomodate a 2.5' w/ 33's? And what if 35''s?
It's DD, but will travel around some mountain areas and it off-roads quite often.
Not want to highjack this thread, but taking into account that some post' already. Mentioned the cost saving with good planning ahead, what can one expect on MPG loss with this setup?
Thanks!
So, let me ask the question: would you re-gear a 2D 3.8 Rubi w manual trans, to accomodate a 2.5' w/ 33's? And what if 35''s?
It's DD, but will travel around some mountain areas and it off-roads quite often.
Not want to highjack this thread, but taking into account that some post' already. Mentioned the cost saving with good planning ahead, what can one expect on MPG loss with this setup?
Thanks!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Berkshire, UK
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I'm looking to run a 2.5" spring lift and 35" KM2s on my JK 2 door sport. For aethetics, I am considering a 1" body lift as well. I like the look and don't want to spend more $ on a larger lift and associated costs (control arms, drive shafts, etc.). I don't rock crawl. Mostly old washed out mining and logging roads, with varied terrain. Mud, sand, loose rocks, old stumps.
Is the small 1" body lift good or bad?
Thanks for your time.
Is the small 1" body lift good or bad?
Thanks for your time.
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Brownsboro, TX
What size tires can I clear with my lift?
I have a Teraflex level kit 1.5 in, 2" spacers in the front and 1" in the rear. ProComp 9000 shocks for this setup and SmittyBilt XRC flat fender flares, at the moment I have 265/70/17 Cooper Discover ATs about 31.6 dia. I bought the tires the same week I bought the Jeep in August 2013, then bought the level kit, shocks, and fenders last month. I wheel mainly in the desert and mountains, ie west Texas, Davis Mountains, Big Bend, and some Colorado, also some east Texas Piney Woods. What I'm looking for is your opinion on how big of a tire diameter can I get by with, I also have17" MB TKO wheels with 5.5" backspace. The 265s look really small now but I wont ever wheel enough for 37s more some medium trails and camping expedition stuff. Any opinion from you would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.