Tire / Lift Advice ('00 TJ)

I have a '00 TJ (4 speed, 4 cyl) with the original P225/75-15 tires & rims. The tires now need replacing and my 17-1/2 year old son wants to spend his hard earned money on bigger tires (he likes the BFG 31 or

33"). He does very little off roading, and this is being done mainly to make the TJ look better. My questions are as follows:
  1. What kind of lift will be necessary to handle these larger tires? Should the lift be a suspension or body lift? Can I install the lift kit myself or do I need to find someone to do this work?
  2. Can the original stock rims be used or will new rims be required?
  3. What kind of money is my son looking at for all of this?

Any comments or advice would be appreciated.

Craig

Reply to
Craig Grinsteiner
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1) Good rule of thumb is 1" of lift per 1" of tire size larger than 30". Although 31's fit on stock TJ's without a lift. So 2" lift for 32's, 3" for 33's, ~5" for 35's, etc. As for what type of lift, suspension lift is generally preferred (as opposed to body). There are also coil spacer lifts available if you only want a mild ~2" lift (that's what I have). Can you do it yourself? Depends on the lift you choose and how good you are with a wrench. I have average (perhaps even below average hehe) mechanical ability, and was able to do my coil spacer lift myself.

2) Stock rims should be fine for any tire 10.5" wide or smaller. Anything larger will probably rub (since the stock wheels will position the tire too close to the Jeep). Even 10.5" wide tires will probably require a small modification to the steering stops up front to prevent rubbing during tight turns.

3) Depends on the lift and the tires. The lifts run anywhere from about $200 for 2" coil spacers, up to about $1000 for a full-blown 3". And of course, there are prices in between depending on manufacturer and model.

Dave

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Reply to
David C. Moller
31's dont require any lift.

Reply to
jbjeep

I just did a run with somebody who had 32's BFG M/Ts and there was no rubbing on a TJ stock suspension. Although it used to rub on the front anti sway bar (which he had kindly removed all together because of the rubbing).

TW

Reply to
TW

Not sure how he managed that unless the trail was more of a forest service road. On the trails around here, 32's would rub like a son of a gun on a stock TJ. Guy I went wheeling with last time had 32's and a

1.5" coil spacer lift and he had some rub (more than I'd consider acceptable anyway).

Dave

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Reply to
David C. Moller

Well, it was not a run in the local park. Two trucks came out with broken windows (tree damage), one truck with broken hub and another one with broken axle. The one with broken axle was the most aggressive setup amongst us. Almost all of us had to be winched at one point or another as the mud was more than enough to bury tyres completely at some places.

I have been confused about 32" not rubbing as well. Next time I see that guy again, I'll have a more detailed chat and inspection. At the end of the run, I did look at his fenders and there were no signs of rubbing and it looked no higher than mine with no lifts as yet. I know there is another TJ in our group, but that one has 35" with 3" suspension lift and

1" body lift.

Cheers, TW

Reply to
TW

I can't doubt you, cuz seeing is believing, and I wasn't with ya hehehe. 35's with 4" of lift amazes me too though! :) Everything I have read/seen looked tight even with 4.5".

Dave

Reply to
David C. Moller

I plan on taking my camera next time and start developing a database of different setups. Somethings are just amazing once installed, but seem impossible in theory.

TW

Reply to
TW

Craig - I've got a 2" Daystar spacer lift and 31x10.50 BFG AT tires. I think that's a good compromise between road/off-road. You can run those on the stock 7" wide rims. I think if you go any bigger than

31's you have to be concerned about gearing, although I think the 2.5 has 4.10 gears already. Anyway, figure ~$200 for the spacer lift and ~$500 for the tires.

-Ed

Reply to
Ed J.

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