Topic: Too much?

[jcrockarell9937]

Hello. I posted under the introduction about my setup but here it is again real quick. 98 Jeep TJ, stock 15 in alloy wheels, 31x10.5 r15 tires, and no lift. Of course with the 4 cylinder engine. I was hoping to put just a 1.75 to 2inch spacer lift on it and upgrade tires and wheels. I would like to have 31 or 32in tires on a 15 wheel. What tire/wheel combo and lift is too much for the engine?I have no performance parts on the engine. Thanks
Jonathan

[Jeffy]

There really is no 'too much' as you can always regear.  Personally, I either go with 31x10.5R15's, 33x9.5R15's or 33x10.5R15's.  Although if you're on a budget then stick with the 31's and do a budget boost lift.  Gearing will suffer even with 32's.  I drove for several years with 32's and stock gearing.  I think the tanner, but narrow tires would have been better for on-road without losing much in off-road.

Here's one running a 1.25 ACOS and 33x10.5R15.  You can see how low it sits but it doesn't look bad since the tires sit under the stock flares.  ACOS would be a better investment then a BB lift but costs more.  But then you can dial them to up to 4" lift.  All you would really need afterwards are control arms.




This one has a 2.5" BB lift with 33x10R15's.



You will want to keep in mind that wheel offset/backspacing is really important.  Don't just throw on any set of wheels.  Going wide puts more stress on the wheel bearings.

Here's another 2" with 33's



31x10.5R15 with no lift.



31x10.5R15 with 2.5" lift

[jcrockarell9937]

Thanks abunch. I'm researching acos kits now. But I'm not all that techy per say, so as far as gearing goes, what would i have to do?

[Jeffy]

Thanks abunch. I'm researching acos kits now. But I'm not all that techy per say, so as far as gearing goes, what would i have to do?

Pay someone to install the gears.  You're looking at $400-500 for the parts alone.  Then anywhere from $200-1000 in labor.  It's not cheap.  Which is why I recommend going skinny on the 33's.  They have a smaller contact patch and a lower roll resistance.  Not to mention less unsprung weight which all means less of a burden on the engine.  Otherwise stick with your 31's and maybe add a little lift.

[jcrockarell9937]

I think I probably will stick with the 31s. I am on a budget so I'll probably go with a budget spacer and aftermarket wheels. I do go out on the trails a couple of times a month(Land between the Lakes in TN, nothing challenging) but i still want that agreesive look you know?

[Torch_Ind]

My first question is how much highway do you run? if it's not that much I would go with a 3-4 inch even if you get 31's to start. you know later you will want to go at least that tall & usually it isn't that much more to go 4 inch lift vs 2inch lift. and you would get new springs and shocks in most kits going that tall.

I loved mine with 4 inch lift and 31's i had lots of room to flex.

[stan98tj]

i ran 31x10.5 Dakota MTs from Pepboys (price is cheap but they are nice quality) on the stock suspension for over a year and hit the trails as often as i could. the jeep did fine. Those 31s did real well on road (snow, rain etc) and they did pretty well off road. They have a nice agressive look and fit nicely with the stock suspension. Then i wanted some lift, so i went with a 2.5" Rough Country. Under 300 bucks, new shocks and springs. Easy to install even if you dont have much experience. Grab a friend or two and you should be fine. Now im at 33x12" on the 2.5" lift going to 3.25".

here is the jeep with 31s on stock suspension

and again on stock suspension:


here is the jeep with the rough country 2.5" on 31s:

and again on the 2.5"with 31s:


and here as it sits today on 33x12" tires with the 2.5" RC lift:

[jcrockarell9937]

Well I do run alot of highway as the jeep is my daily driver and work is about 15-20 miles away. The jeep is fine now(no problems with getting to 70mph). I just dont want to put too much of a tire.

[Jeffy]

Well I do run alot of highway as the jeep is my daily driver and work is about 15-20 miles away. The jeep is fine now(no problems with getting to 70mph). I just dont want to put too much of a tire.

Stick with 31's or skinny 33's.

[stan98tj]

i second jeffy's last post

[Torch_Ind]

i second jeffy's last post

+1 with stock gears. 

depending what your future plans/budge are with the jeep for the budget lift or going that little extra mile..

if your going to plan to make this more of a off road ring your going to want min 4 inches of lift and 33's under it "future plans"

For your main topic I would say there is no such thing as to much if it's build properly.  there is only to much if it's not done properly and can cause damage or death!! I have seen some very shady home made lifts witch left us dragging there ass the rest of the day after the first hole!!!

thats why I recommend doing a bit more then you need of the start, and most 3-4 inch kits come with new shocks and arms and bushings witch would be all new parts!! not just a set of spacers on your old springs bushings etc..

I completely understand if you don't have the budget if you just want to get that little extra temperately for 31's and plan on getting a good lift later on..

mainly I upgrade when something wears out that way you just not replacing the worn part with factory your upgrading!!

happy trails.. hope to see your jeep grow.

[jcrockarell9937]

Thanks for all the suggestions and replys. As far as future plans, this jeep will probably be used more for the highway. But on the other hand, me and my friends do go out to the trails 2-3 times a month. Could I go with a wider 31?

[Torch_Ind]

Thanks for all the suggestions and replys. As far as future plans, this jeep will probably be used more for the highway. But on the other hand, me and my friends do go out to the trails 2-3 times a month. Could I go with a wider 31?

wider wont' make much diff.

go 31x10.5 until you go bigger

[jcrockarell9937]

Yea that is whats on it now, 31x10.54\r15. Another question is that the stock wheels are 15x7. The aftermarket ones I'm looking at are 15x8. Will that make the tires stick out more?

[Torch_Ind]

Yea that is whats on it now, 31x10.54\r15. Another question is that the stock wheels are 15x7. The aftermarket ones I'm looking at are 15x8. Will that make the tires stick out more?

more off-set. wider won't matter if there not off-set at all