I am planning on purchasing a 3" lift kit, 17" rims, 35 tires. Will I need to buy spacers, gears, drive shafts, etc.? What other things will I need to buy right away? Do I actually need to replace drive shafts immediately? Any help appreciated from others that have went down this path.

 

How wide tires? 2 or 4 door? what lift? X sahara or Rubi? what axles. Gear ratio? Why 17 rim and not 16?

 

As 'Captain' mentioned... need more info. If you're running 3.21's right now, then you will probably want to regear... if you're running 4.10's, you might be OK... personal preference. As far as drive shafts... Are you a 2dr or 4dr... if you're a 4dr, then you should be fine as is... if you're a 2dr, from the info I've seen, your drive shafts will wear out faster, but you'll be OK for now. On the spacers... well, that depends on the back spacing of your rims. As long as you stay to somewhere around 4.75" BS or less your should be OK... Mine are 4.5" BS and they work fine w/35's... my rims are 17x9's.

 

Another thing to consider is the mounting of your spare tire. Are you going to go with a tire carrier or try to use the factory mount? I believe the factory mount is going to be marginal with a 35 inch tire and wheel and there could be problems over time. I think they have mounts to strengthen the connection so that could be a cheaper route.

 

Thanks for the reponses. I am going with a 3" Black Diamond lift (the one reviewed in Peterson's 4x4). I have the 2-door, 2007 Rubicon with 4.10 gears. I do plan on re-gearing to 4.88s. Was thinking about 35x12.5x17 tires. Rims, 17x9s. Would you replace drive-shafts right away? Does it make any difference on how much off-roading that I do if I will need to replace?

I was going to try to use the factory spare tire mount with the 35s.

 

I've got a 35 on my spare and it fits and looks just fine.

 

I've seen others with 35s on their stock carrier too, but that's allot of extra weight. I'd be worried about long term consequences.

 

I think you'll be okay waiting, but I would imagine that off-roading will exaserbate the problem.

 

My drive shafts went bad after only 1500 miles with only 3.5" lift. That with no off-roading.
I have the 2 door Rubi as well.

I would get the shafts too, but keep in mind you need the upper adjustable control arms to set you pinion angle too.
JE Reel will not warranty their shafts if you do not have these.
I just spoke to them the other day when getting ready to order my shafts.
I dont think the BD lift has the option of adjustable uppers.
If your gonna do it, go with the Full Traction Ultimate kit and the new driveshafts. Or a kit that offers adjustable control arms.
Take from someone who learned the hard way.

 

Let us know how the lift works out. I ordered pretty much the same lift, except I added the rear track bar and went with Rancho 9000XLs. The Black Diamond shocks seemed to limit the scoring on the system. I have a 4-door so I like the idea of vehicle-specific springs.

I'd be concerned with the weight on the back door. Washboard roads with a big tire slapping that back door around when you don't have the top on... you get the picture. Probably not damaging to the vehicle, just your nerves.

BTW - just got off the phone with my lift dealer. The Black Diamond lift is so popular, the XT link arms and rear track bar are back-ordered. He said Superlift should have them by MAYBE next week.