So I am taking delivery of a 2014 Wrangler Sport next July, currently deployed. Naturally I have already come up with a list of mods. I got the sport especially to mod it. First thing will be a lift. So what I would like is for me to list my desired mods and then you jeep gurus can help me make sure it is good to go hopefully.

Info on the Jeep that may be pertinent is it will be a manual and will have 3.73 gearing. It is the base model sport, not even A/C. I plan on using it on beginner and moderate trails until I cut my teeth on off-roading more. I have done some limited stuff in my silverado, but I know that is no comparison when it comes to capabilities. So on to the list I have so far, mostly from 4 Wheel Parts.

-Rancho 4" "sport" lift with RS9000XL shocks (this seemed like a decent lift to begin with and is upgradeable to the "trail" short-arm system) link

-American Racing AR767 steel wheel 15x10
-Cooper Discoverer STT Tires 35x12.5R15
-Smittybilt Tire Relocation bracket (to fit the larger spare tire)

-Smittybilt XRC Rock Crawler Winch Bumper
-Smittybilt X20 10 Comp Series Winch

Does this all sound compatible and like a good start? Particularly the lift.

One question I have regarding tire size is should I look to go 35s or 33s? It seems the 33s would give me more room to flex, lighter tire for all related reasons, etc..

Please share your experience and thoughts. Thanks in advance!

 

First off thanks for your service and welcome to the forum. Do some more research some people aren't too happy with Rancho for some reason I have teraflex myself and I really like it.get a jeep with ac you never no where you will end up.good luck

 

Ok, so I have perhaps prematurely posted this topic. After reading the "Newbie FAQ" I now have some more questions. From the looks of the Rancho 4" sport lift it appears to have all the required components. I am wondering if it is necessary to change the drive shafts to the double cardan joint style, front chromoly drive shaft, axle c-gussett, and 4.88 gears.

It was also mentioned that the CV boot at the output shaft would eventually fail with a lift. Is this true? Is there a way to prevent that?

 

Thanks gunbo. I have been trying to do some research but I seem to find contradicting views on everything. Thats one reason I am posting on here because I really do not know what is good or bad, or what doing this will cause that. I have no experience with this. The FAQ is great, but I still have questions.

It does seem terra flex and rubicon express are pretty popular, and I had never heard of them until I started researching lifts. I have a year to sort it all out still luckily, but I do not want to wait till the last minute either.

 

I try to stay away from smittybuilt because a lot of the parts are made in china, and they seem to rust... if you do go with them, replace the screws/bolts, and make sure you take care when you install... just my 2 cents.

 

Yeah Ive done some research and have decided to go with the E1 Basic DX. It has the barebones look I want anyway. Still not sure about the winch. I have heard good and bad.

 

You'll love the cooper stt. Great tire in a 35. Go ahead and get new driveshafts, it's not too much and you won't have to sweat it later as you build.