So I just got back from Adams Jeep of Aberdeen. They have some amazing customer service, the shop guy was off for an hour talking with me about options for my 4 door JK.

In short he quoted me for a 3 1/4" lift + install, Nitto Grapplers 35" with some mickey thompson classic wheels and balanced for $4055

$1525 for the BDS lift + install
$1575 for the Nitto Grapplers
$895 for the wheels
$60 balance

Now the questions for the more experienced JK'ers out there. This shop guy told me the Nitto Grapplers were the quietest tire on the road and had the longest lifespan with about 50-60k miles before the tread is gone. I took one for a test drive and jesus those things roar at 50+mph not to mention the vehicle floats at those speeds which was an odd feeling.

So questions.

1. I think the Nitto Grapplers best lifespan/quietest tire comment is bs?
   
2. Is that a decent price for what was quoted? Cheaper shops somewhere in MD?
   
3. I was looking at the AVG Nth degree lift, is this BDS lift comparable/better?
   
4. I test drove a 2dr with 3" BDS lift and 35" Nitto Grapplers, it seemed to float at 50+ mph. Will the 4dr behave differently since its a longer wheel base?
   
5. I think the BFG KM2 is a better tire for my purposes then the Nitto (daily driver). Ive heard it is not as loud and is great offroad. Any one have these tires? How do they wear/ avg lifespan?

If anyone has any thoughts, suggestions, etc for a rookie when it comes to moddin Jeeps please let me know. Thanks!

 

lift and install price is good..

but mudgrappers are LOUD!!!!
and dont last that long maybe 28-35k at the most

 

There are 2 different "Nitto Grappler" tires, the Terra Grappler and Mud Grappler. The dealer was probably referring to the Terra, but you test drove the Muds.

 

Thats what I was thinking, I know they are beast off road but on the highway I thought I was in a jet about to take off.

Watch this youtube clip, this is what they sounded like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUXUkaEVxMw

 

I think he's talking about the trail grapplers, they are between the terra grapplers and mud grapplers in agressiveness of the tread. And I have head that they are very quiet (designed with mics at the tires). But you're right on the mud grapplers, my brother in law put a set on his raptor and it sounds like a twin prop plane.

 

And there is a trail grappler.... you have to have drove with the mud grapplers. No doubt in my mind that you would NOT say that about the trail grapplers.

 

I will call and get clarification on which Nitto tire it was, I definately test drove the muds though.

 

Lift and install sounds good.

FYI on the tires I got my BFG KM2's 35/12.5/15 on Cragar soft 8's 5 for $1,200.
And for a Mud tire KM2's are a great combo of aggressive and quite as you will find.

Most people don't want a 15" tire for a daily driver but I don't have any problems with them.

Just an idea and would leave you enough money left over for front bumper and a winch, or rear bumper with tire carrier and some sliders.

 

I paid about $1600 for the BDS 3" lift (no control arms) w/ BDS Gas shocks + an alignment, installed

Picked up 15" MB Razor wheels at Discount tire @ $100 or so a wheel. Going with a 15" tire got the cost of 35" x 12.5 x 15 BFG KM'2 to about $200 each (and looks better IMHO ). The KM2's do make some noise on the road. They get louder with age, but are not that bad. I have a 30 mile each way commute (mostly highway). The KM2's appear to be wearing well. I get them rotated every 4-5K. I think I have about 12K on them so far without issues.

The only issue I had was the balancing of the tires. I had to take them back in to make sure the tire guy took their time. Placing the weights on the 15" wheel needs to be done right, or the caliber will hit the weights. Once we figured that out, all has been good!

 

That kit comes with cam bolts. I would guess that the caster was set back near stock, instead of up high enough to improve the post-lift handling. Check this one in the faq's for more info on it:
Q: What is Caster? How much do I need?