I have a stock 08 Wrangler X 6 speed and I am wanting to lift it. I have read a lot about needing to change my gear ratio if I were to run 33" or 35" tires. I am on a tight budget and thinking a budget boost of some kind and can't afford changing my gears at this time. The plate on my differentials seem to be missing so I plan on jacking it up to see what I have now. I assume 3.21. I would like to upgrade for the occasional offroading but this is also my primary vehicle. Would it be pointless to start out with 32's and would this look ridiculous? I would be lying if I said I didn't want it to look cool as well! Would 32's require a gear change anyway or would my horsepower and handling pretty much stay the same? I am new to all of this and my brain has become clouded with trying to come up with a good functional option that won't make my jeep drive like crap and still be able to use 6th gear. Thanks in advance for your patience with my lack of knowledge.

 

You should be fine with 32" tires with the stock gears. You don't need a lift for 32" tires and the tires might look kind of small with a 3" lift. Then you'll probably want bigger tires. Drive it for a while and see what you think.

 

Check the for sale section and your local Craigslist for some cheap 32" take-offs.

32" BFG MT's from a Rubi
32" Bridgestone Dueler AT's from a Sahara

You should be able to find a set of either of them with very low miles and a very cheap price tag.

I would also suggest spending some time in the FAQ's (top of this modified area) before you run out and drop cash on a lift. You don't 'need' a lift for these tires, and the higher you go, the more components you will want to add to get back to stock-like handling. If you have the bug and just have to buy a lift, look at a levelling kit instead of a 3".

There is some advice and info on gears in the faq's. If you move up to 35's, plan on $1500 for gears also. (plus or minus, depending) If you go to a 3+" lift, plan on adding components to re-center the axles and maybe a set of adjustable ca's for the caster. You have a 2door? 3" is about the time to start worrying about the rear driveshaft angles also. You will be ok for a while, but when it goes, you will want a set of rear ca's along with the new driveshaft. (it starts adding up quick as you go higher...)


So, do plenty of homework on where you want to end up, and what it will take to get you there - before you shell out the cash and wind up with a big surprise.

 

you'll get some hood flutter....

 

I assume you're running stock rims...?

32" should fit, but if you've got aftermarket rims with less than the stock backspacing (factory is I think 6"), you might benefit from a slight boost.

The lift shouldn't dictate a gear change. But with 3" lift, the 32's might look a little small.

If you want a small boost well-matched to your 32's, for short money, I recommend the TeraFlex leveling kit (part no. 1155200). Lifts 2" in front, 1" in rear (levels out the factory rake). $125.

With a 6-speed and 3.21's you should be okay but you'll probably lose 6th for the most part. I used to have this setup on a 2010. It wasn't ideal but was good enough. I do not recommend going greater than 32" with 3.21's.

 

Most jeeps come with 32s from the factory, so no regear would be needed. I switched to a 2.5 inch BB after dragging the belly pan on some trips & seeing a couple of rubicons with a lift & stock tires. It looks better than stock. After a month, stock jeeps will look like low-riders to you.