Ok, so I’ve read through the forum many times, drooling over all the sweet mods most of you have and I’ve come to the conclusion I need something, and I’m not sure if it is just the Jeeper in me or what. I'm having a problem deciding where to start! Here is my thoughts, I don't do a whole lot of off roading here in Iowa, mostly through deer season through field roads and things of that nature but I’d like to ability to do more if the opportunity arose! Do I start with a lift, or just tires? I want a wider stance and a more aggressive look but don't want to go too crazy as this is still my daily driver! I was also thinking about a CAI, but I’m debating whether or not it will make a big difference So to break it down...

2007 Rescue Green Unlimited Sahara 18" rims, stock...

--Tires (something that would fit stock 18" rims that may not need a lift or would it be cheaper to buy smaller rims and tires all together?)

--Wheel Spacers?? (Spidertrax is the way to go, so I’ve read, but is there any downside? Will it give me the aggressive wide stance of a jeep that I’m looking for if I use them on stock wheels and tires?)

--lift (body lift, or suspension lift?)

--CAI (Does it make a difference, which one is the best?)

Keep in mind...I’m not exactly rolling in cash so the cheaper this can be the better, if anyone has any thoughts I’d love to here them good or bad! This forum is GREAT!!

 

Just my $.02...
I would start with a budget lift ( Teraflex makes a real good one ) and a set of tires to mount on you're stock rims... I like BFG's but there are TONS of tire choices, and if you stay with a 32"-33" tire and don't go real wide, you should get by without using spacers.
The sky is the limit.... but be careful, once you start with just 1 mod,,, you will have a hard time stopping!!
Mods are like potato chips...... you can't have just one...

 

i would start with a body lift and go from there, only like $200! you dodnt need wheel Spacers if your going to keep stock rims, you can just beef up the tires..

 

Don't forget some nice full soft doors. They made all the difference to my enjoying my coughstockxwithstreettirescough.

 

Thanks for the reply's guys! Sounds like a body lift is a safe bet! Now only if i can pick a tire!

 

yep, i got mickey thompson on my jeep i love them 33X11.50R16...but there alot to pick from... what stock rim size? are you on the road alot? mud,rock,rain,snow?

 

body lifts are tacky and not where I would start. Only way I would body lift is if you have a suspension lift and want another inch to clear your tires. You can suspension lift your Jeep up to 2.5" just by adding coil spring spacers. They install fast and ez. They are really inexpensive and maintain the jeeps factory ride.

Teraflex makes a suspension lift they call a "leveling kit", it only costs $130 and will lift your Jeep 2" in the front and 1" in the rear. This will give your Jeep a great looking level stance and allow you to fit up to a 34" tire. If you just want to fit a larger tire, and keep everything riding like it is with no major changes or unsightly body gaps from a body lift I think it is the ideal way to go.

I have 18" wheels on my Jeep, and tires are a lot more expensive than say a 15". For the same price I payed for tires alone I could have bout tires and wheels if I had gone 15 or 16. But it really depends on what you like. I think the Sahara 18's look great wrapped in a tire with an aggressive sidewall like a mud grapper, or the goodyear duratrac if you want a A/T.

All up to what you want, how big you want, and how you will use your Jeep. Oh, and how deep your wallet.

 

Just a thought, but you may find that a lift isn't really necessary if you send most of your time on dirt roads or open fields. In order to get a more aggressive and functional look, I started with new bumpers, rocker guards and a GOBI rack. These made a huge difference. I had planned on a TF 2.5” as my next mod, but am rethinking it now. I like my current height and am not going bigger than 33s so I don’t have to re-gear. With that in mind, I may not lift mine since it is a DD and I’m not getting crazy aggressive with it. All that said, with all of the weight I’ve added, I suspect that eventually my stock springs may develop their own opinion on the necessity of a suspension upgrade.

 

i would do a suspention lift much better then the body lift

 

IMO...

1. TeraFlex 2.5" bb w/shocks or w/shock adapters.
2. 33x12.50 tire, help with the wider look if you get the 12.50 and not a 10.50
3. TeraFlex or Spydertrax 1.5" spacers, again with the wider look and are a must with the stock wheels and 12.50 tire.

you won't break the bank, will have the aggressive look you want, and will still be comfortable as a DD.

just do some research and pick a good tire!

good luck