Hi this is my first post..

I just got my 2012 2 door Sahara, 5 speed auto.. This is my first jeep.. I want to lift it but don't want to go over board!

I mostly drive the car on highways, and don't do a lot of wheeling nor offroad action.. I might want to drive it oven some terrain every once in a while..

Therefore I was thinking of a lift that would be sufficient enough to fit 35" tires on 29" wheels.. I am installing the flat fenders as well.. So what lift should I get? I don't want a very high lift.. I love the comfort of the stock suspension and don't want to sacrifice that, and I'm very comfortable with the current gearing ratios with my driving..

1) can I fit 35" without changing gear ratios?
2) what is the lift that would maintain similar ride quality as stock?
3) would u fit 33" instead of 35" for such driving routines (mainly highway)?

Thanks in advance

 

You need at least a 2.5" lift to clear 35s. and wheels with 4.5" backspacing or 1.5" wheel spacers on stock wheels.
Get Teraflex or Rough Country or Old Man Emu....you cant go wrong.
Depending on what gears you have ( most likely 3.21s unless you have max tow pack) you will not want 35s unless regearing. You could MAYBE get away with 3.73s if you have max tow pack, but ideally you want 4.10s plus with 35s. Otherwise your trans will be pecking to find the right gear when going uphill or into a stiff wind.

If you dont wheel much and do not want to regear, just stick with 33s IMO.

I am a little confused. Did you really mean 29" wheels? If you put 29s on a Jeep JK I will never speak to you again. Please tell me that was an error!

 

Hahahah no it was a typo.. I meant 20" wheels..

I don't have a max tow..

But will the flat fenders help give me more clearance?

Plus, would installing 33" with flat fenders and lets say a 1" levelling kit be ok?

 

You can fit 33's on a stock Jeep with no log or flats. You would be fine with 33's and flats. Personally, that what I would do. Because I think 2.5in of lift, flats, and 33's looks kinda funny. But that just my $.02 and also.! Don't go spend the money to regear until after you drive the jeep with larger tires. It might not be that bad depending on how you drive and where you drive. Hope that helps.

 

OK cool.....glad you clarified that.

Just keep in mind that large tires in an 18+ wheel size get REAL expensive.

I'm no expert on flat fenders as its not something I have researched yet. I have a Sahara so I plan on keeping my factory painted ones for a while. You can fits 33s on a stock ride height with just wheel spacers from what I have read on the forum. You might get a tiny bit of rub at full lock but some do and some don't. So yes...a small leveling kit should get you enough clearance. I would add WS. Mine are Spidertrax and they have been great for 7,200 miles.

 

So from what I understand we r left with two paths:

1) 33" tires, no lift or 1" levelling kit, flat fenders, no gearing
2) 35" tires, at least 2" lift, flat fenders, and gearing

Any other opinions?

What size wheels would u put on 33" tires? 20" wheels? Or 18"?

Please beat in mind it's mostly highway driving, with some terrain driving.. And I want the car to look good, not too aggressive and more towards classy cuz its my daily driver and don't want it to be too flashy.. U know what I mean

 

You would not need flat fenders for 35s with a 2.5" lift.

I would go option 1. You can actually get 33s with just wheel spacers but some people like the flat fender look as well.

I would find some 17" wheels you like as it gives you the most tire options and best price to upgrade to 33s or 35s. My factory Sahara 18" wheels are F-ing expensive to put new shoes on!

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...274#post211274

 

I think 20" wheels would give it a more elegant look.. I am thinking of rockstars

 

Hey its your money. If Elegant is worth an extra $100 per tire then by all means go for it.

I like to wheel mine on the weekends so 20s are out of the question. Hell....I would trade my 18s straight up to someone with 17s.

 

Lol I'll stick with my 16s and 33s! will go bigger when these wear out though.. Personally I think 20s look goofy with 33 or 35 inch tires because there isn't alot of sidewall but that's just my opinion..