Zombie Wrecker

I Just got my new JK after begging my wife to allow it for 2 years.. Its a Sahara Tan Unlimited Sport. I Live in AK and commute 300 miles each way to work every 5-10 days and want to know what lift would be best balance for highway driving and wheeling on the weekends, I would like to fit 35's and have good articulation $ is not an issue but dont want to go overboard either..

Delgriffth

theres guys here with more knowledge then me but heres my 2 cents....35s or bigger and mpg dont mix. id go 33s max with a 2-2.5" lift. if your gonna go that big im not sure there is a perfect harmony to be had w/regards to mpg. especially where youre at where gas is expensive from what i understand.

Deere_Jeep

2.5" Teraflex coil lift with shock extenstions. 33" rubber.. 35" looks a lot better on the 4dr.. but that is a good bit of mileage and last I checked AK is a bit hilly.. unless your prepared to regear I would keep it at 33"

zking1776

300 miles each way? Damn that's a lot. It depends on how much you want to contribute to the oil companies. With a stock Jeep you'd have to tank up less than half way home on the return trip. A 2" lift and 35" inch tires, plus the effect of added weight from aftermarket bumpers/sliders, ect if (should say when) you get them, means you'll probably have to fill up when you get there and when you get back.
I love my Jeep to death but for my 140 round trip commute for school this fall I'll be using my wife's Chrysler, can't deal with the gas bill.

chipmaker

This!!!!!!^

Zombie Wrecker

Thanks for all the suggestions, I think thats what i'll do. Plus that will leave enough $$$ for a bumper or two lol.

azrwilkinson

Welcome to the Forum. Daily driven 3inch and 35's w/ 5.13 gears makes it a lot of gas money, but its up to you. 33's arent bad looking at all in my opinion.

rickyj

5-10 rotating schedule? He almost certainly works for the oil companies.

The only issue with 35" tires on the Sahara might be that you have a weaker front axle. I don't know what the cutoff is, but you don't want too much torque on the smaller front axle.

Personally having done plenty of those 300 mile commutes, I would stick stock a while and see how your rig does off road as it is. You will be pleasantly surprised. If I was still doing those long drives, I would skip the lift and use that money to put in a long ranger tank so I could spend less time at the pump. Just my : 2cents

jtjk

as guys have already said the bigger tires and even a lift are gonna hurt an already fuel hungry vehicle.

Here is my two cents: i think you have two decent options ...

1) keep the stock 32 it will save you millage, wear and tear on suspension and axle parts. keep the little pep the jk has to offer as your gearing will be correct. I would then build more an overland themed jk. Maybe a long range tank, roof rack and for list 2.5 teraflex budget boost for just a little more clearance. With some drive skill this will be a surprisingly capable setup that still suits your needs. No it wont be a hard core crawler but its a nice genral trail weeknd warrior setup.
I would not go 33. in my opinion the loss in gearing (just enough to be irritating but not enough to justify a re gear for 1500) , fuel economy and added wear on suspension is not worth it.

2) this may be a little less practical and will not look as good. put on a bigger lift maybe an aev 3.5 or 4.5 as they are know for their great on road manners. then add the tires of your choice - 35 or 37. Now go pick up some take off steelies with stock 32's or smaller and just swap the tires out when ever you go to work or hit the trail. It will save you gas, give you a mean trail rig, and save your tires.
as i said it is a little more labour intensive though

ricksjeep10

Here's my opinion. Go for the 2-2 1/2" lift and 35's with some really cool wheels. The greatest thing about owning a Jeep is making it your own. If you like the look of a small lift and 35's than that is what you should do. Good luck and have fun!