Why does a lift and larger tires help so much?
 

This is not a quesion of debate but a discussion of why. Why when you add a lift and larger tires does it make such a significant improvement when offroading? If you add just a 3" inch lift and 35" tires, this makes a huge difference - but in my way of thinking this is only about a 10% increase from stock.
I have been on some tuff trails and the difference in just an inch can be very significant. I would like to open this discussion for debate and get some of your educated responses.

My only educated response is - wider tires would help get a better grip and a larger foot print.

Thanks!

approach angles are increased, break over angle increased, ground clearance increased.

all of these are what will stop you in your tracks on a trail if you do not have them.

Lockers should be the first mod if you don't have them already. They will help you more than anything else.

I remember I had 35"s on my TJ and went trail riding. This other guy had 31"s on his TJ and kicked my ass. I installed lockers shortly after. I agree that departure/approach angles are important, but lockers help much more.

So lockers on a yugo can kick ass!

Just kidding - I see your point but I think that is debateable. Some folks may even say using lockers for some scenarious is not a very good idea.

When wheeling, things like approach/departure angles, belly and axle clearance are key........and one way to do this without hacking up the jeep is to run a bigger lift with bigger tires. An extra 1" of clearance can make or break you when your on a rocky trail.........I personally would rather have a jeep on 35's and no lockers than a jeep on 31's and lockers, but thats me........I can do more with those 2 extra inches of diff clearance with attitude and momentum than most on 31's locked. Obviously lockers are a necessity for extensive wheeling and throwing in a rear locker would be the next mod on the list after a winch and 35's....

What scenarios?? Street Driving? You may want to have a front locker that is selectable in some styles of offroading such as desert racing, but you could always benefit from having the option if needed in all offroad scenarios.

As for me, my stock Sahara took on some pretty nasty, muddy, rocky terrain just fine without lockers - traction wasn't an issue at all. My skid plates tell the tale, but if I had been running a lift and bigger meats, my Jeep would have passed through unscathed. Yes, lockers can be useful, but when running through rocky terrain, that extra ground clearance (and the associated better angles) can figuratively make, or literally break your Jeep... Just my $.02.

What about turning scenarios? In my experience I can't turn as sharp with my locker on. This has only been my experience on two vechicles I have had - not sure if they applies to all vehicles with lockers.

What about scenarios where you are going fast? Are there differnt types of lockers for four high?

What about if you want to spin your tires real fast and get mud on your vehicle? In theory maybe un-locked would give you better results.

I certainly won't question the usefulness of clearance. However, the point was made that lockers are extremely useful on an otherwise stock vehicle and I agree. I had a stock pickup with a Lock-rite years ago and I could do allot that articulation and clearance wouldn't help in. Given a different scenario clearance would have been more important than traction. I'd say to faithfully answer the poster's question you would have to have a scenario (rock crawling, mudding, etc.) in mind.

it helps because it makes your jeep look bad ass..........