I have an 08 sahara and wanted to keep my 18" rims but want to lift the jeep and throw some nice tires.
Tires: all terrain. brand? size? and enough to fit as a spare in the back mount
Suspension/lift: brand? nothing that changes to much the current factory ride and feel of the car. but enough to et some height and bulk with the tires.
spacers: do i need them for my rims? i dont want the tires sticking out from the fenders, i would like them just about right in line with the fenders.

Im just looking for something really sleek and proportional with the added height and tire size. but dont wanna change the current factory feel of the car. I think there is a guy on here that has one lifted called fish... his is really nice.

Thanks Rob

 

this was the link they gave me, it's a good start to answering your questions...

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modified-jk-tech-2/modified-tech-faq-answers-questions-every-newbie-has-18617/

 

If you look around you'll find quite a few pictures of guys on here that kept their 18" wheels and have put big tires on them, most of which have a sizeble lift to go with those tires. CLACKEY( ! ) is one the first, there's a RedRock unlimited Sahara on here with 35"s and a 4" lift (forgot his tag). Like I said, just look around or start a thread that says "Show us your stock 18"s and tires" or something of the sort and you should get a big response.

 

I put on Rough Country's 4" lift and added 35" Nitto mud grapplers while keeping my stock 18" wheels. Everyone I spoke to said I would def. need spacers to avoid any rubbing. I installed 1.5" spacers that were recommended and the tires stick out a little from the fenders, but it is a pretty beefy tire.

 

See pics on link in my signature of my Sahara.
stock 18's with 34" BFG's. Need 1 1/2" spacers.

 

My 08 has the 2.5" rough country coil kit and 275/70R18(33.5x11.0) Nitto Terra grapplers. Rides good, looks a lot better than stock.

 

I did the TF 2.5" BB with a set of Nitto Terra Grapplers. The tires are a good AT tire but have very good on road manners and are pretty quiet. I would buy them again. I changed out my wheels to a 17, but have thought about getting a set of stock wheels again and running a spacer. I just really like that wheel.

 

Thanks for all the help guys.. All of your jeeps look great. I will post pics of mine when i do the upgrade. Thanks again

 

Let me know when you install your lift and tires. I'm in the same boat you are with an '08 Sahara Unlimited. I also want to keep the stock 18's but get bigger tires without having to re-gear or use spacers. I think I'll end up looking pretty much like J-Rod's since mine is also silver.

 

A great starter lift kit is the Teraflex 2.5" Budget Boost. Lots of us have it, or started with it. It will give you the room for a set of 33 or 35 inch tires, whichever you prefer. With stock wheels you will need a 1.5 inch spacer, most have the spidertrax brand.