Topic: TJ with 35s, no lift (courtesy JP magazine)

[chrisfranklin]

So, these guys basically install a special hood/fender, one-piece, fiberglass set-up to accomodate the front 35s without a lift.  Don't know the ins and outs on this kind of thing.  Looks like it gives you the clearance of 35's, but your Jeep's (TJs) body has to pay for it  

Update:  forgot to hit paste, dangit

http://www.jpmagazine.com/projectbuild/154_0503_1998_jeep_wrangler_tj_tire_fitting/

[SMC4WD]

Pics, links...

This isn't much fun without seeing it.  What about the rear??

[chrisfranklin]

Guess it's a two part article.  So, dunno what they do to the rear to get the wheels to fit with no lift.  Probably trim the hell out of the body.

[Jeffy]

I'm guessing they used a Rockcrawler hood and chopped the rear openings for the tires.  There is a LOT ot room back there that you could cut and raise the wheelwell to and not hit the top of the inner fender.

This would be a good way to clear 35's and keep the CG as low as posible.  Then raise the Tcase flush with the bottom and maybe replace the links with stronger ones.  It wouldn't look that bad either.  Not much lift but if you're crawling, it would be a huge advantage without having to spend that much on a huge lift.

[SMC4WD]

I'll tell you one thing....  that's the best setup for Western Washington trails...  Low height, big tires.   This does offer the best ground clearance without being too top heavy.  With the tree coverage, a short wheelbase low vehicle works really well.  While taller tires to clear through the deep ruts are a necessity as well.  Boggers for the trails and M/T for the streets.

As the topic came up in that fender flare post, I did the same thing Omix is offering.  YJ fronts, TJ rears...  I cut the steel all the way up into the body line.  Didn't stop until I hit the tub.

[Tall Boy]

I read that a few states in the north east do not allow lift kits to modify suspensions. Maine is one I believe. I guess this is for those people.

[Mozman68]

I read that a few states in the north east do not allow lift kits to modify suspensions. Maine is one I believe. I guess this is for those people.

waaaaa???  Never heard of that??  God, I hope that's not true.

[Jeffy]

Having a low slung Jeep would be prefect for west coast rockcrawling.  Some may thing it's a waste or looks weird but it's a great way to get those larger tires on without having to lift the frame off the axles.  Most of your axle travel is down anyways.  Look at all of the moon buggies out there.  They're low slung.  Actually many of the ProStock's are also pretty low.

I've seen a Jeep in AZ that had 38.5's and lots of trimming.  It looked pretty good actually.  I'll have to see if I can dig up a picture of it.  Now I wouldn't recommend this to a Noob but someone who wants to rockcrawl, it would be a decent way to go.

A friend of mine runs 38's on his CJ3A and it's pretty low also.  He's out in the Midwest and it works great for him too.

[Jeffy]

I"d like to see a pict of it on level ground.  It looks pretty good though the inner fender is a bit bootyfab.

[SMC4WD]

sorry guys...  IMOHO, I think that looks like crap...   :?

(But that sideways battery tray....  Hummmmm)

[Jeffy]

sorry guys...  IMOHO, I think that looks like crap...   :?

(But that sideways battery tray....  Hummmmm)

I've thought about getting a rockcrawler hood.  The only real consideration is what to do with everything on the fenders.  They went cheap and it shows.  This is also the reason I don't like many of the tube fenders since they don't address the inner fenders.

Maybe I'll ask one of the editors if they have a better pict of the Jeep.

[Jeffy]

I forgot AEV was doing this too. AEV looks first rate compared to JP.  I really like AEV's fenders and flares too.  I'd guess they have a 3" lift under there though.

[Tall Boy]

Seeing that video reminds me of an article I read a year ago about an engaged couple that went into the Tetons in Utah in November? They rented a wrangler sport and went deep into the snow about ten miles off the main road. They got stuck for close to a week in the Jeep and lived on skittles and snow. Then after that the man went out to look for help, a rancher found him five miles from the Jeep, but by the time they got back to the Jeep the next day girl was dead.  
     Anybody read that story?

    Just one instance though. I have never palyed in the snow.

[Jeffy]

Well, I talked to my contact at JP and he said the article was from a Freelancer.  That explains the crappy inner fenders.

[chardrc]

A friend of mine runs 38's on his CJ3A and it's pretty low also.  He's out in the Midwest and it works great for him too.

wow 38's on a cj3a :shock: .. we have 30's on our cj3a with some odd amont of lift and that works good for us.. adn the motor doesnt have much power for anything bigger.... unless of corse you throw a 4.3lv6 or a v8 in there..