Baystate Jeepers

Just sayin Don It dont make any sense that a 2.5" lift should do anything. Ive heard so many horror stories after lifting a JK. Probably more of a lift. Just didnt want Ralph to buy stuff he will take off later or steer him in the wrong direction. Or have it be so weird to drive on the street. Looks like springs and shocks for Christmas ! FjR68

I echo Don... both J and I have done the 2.5" budget boost to start with no problems at all. J is at a 3" lift now, but I'm still on the 2.5". I guess technically it's shifted a bit, but I can't feel anything. After 2 years the only issue I'm now having is that my alignment comes out pretty easy, like every time I wheel. That could be a combination of the stock track bar and the bent tie rod (how did THAT happen? ) Right after Christmas Lou is upgrading both for me. Funny thing with the traction control light, the last time I wheeled it came out of alignment again and the light came on. A few days later while in Groton I made a somewhat aggressive maneuver pulling into traffic and had to make a very sharp left. Knocked the alignment back into place and the light went off. Fixed it! Anyway, the thing with lifts is if you don't do it right, it won't ride right. That's a big part of why I let Lou do that kind of work - I don't have the experience to do it as well as they can. They've done 3 lifts for us now and each one rides as good after as it did before.

Frank wrote:Just sayin Don It dont make any sense that a 2.5" lift should do anything. Ive heard so many horror stories after lifting a JK. Probably more of a lift. Just didnt want Ralph to buy stuff he will take off later or steer him in the wrong direction. Or have it be so weird to drive on the street. Looks like springs and shocks for Christmas ! FjR68

Maybe those with horror stories did more than just a lift, or did something wrong. I remember when I did the first JK lift - it wasn't really clear whether the new track bar relocation bracket went on the front or the back. After I drilled the holes and installed it on the front (thinking that the front would be critical but the back wouldn't) I had to take it off and move it to the back. Stuff happens!

If I had a JK, I would install 35" tires with NO lift and trim to fit. If you want a bit more belly clearance, add a small spacer lift and have fun. Adding the PROPER spring lift and accessories will exceed your budget by a LOT. Several old members of Baystate ran 2" or 2.5" lifts on YJ's with 33's and did fine on EVERYTHING.

Several old members of Baystate ran 2" or 2.5" lifts on YJ's with 33's and did fine on EVERYTHING

I resemble that remark

And you Resemble it Well ! FjR68

ZAEDOCK wrote:If I had a JK, I would install 35" tires with NO lift and trim to fit. If you want a bit more belly clearance, add a small spacer lift and have fun. Adding the PROPER spring lift and accessories will exceed your budget by a LOT. Several old members of Baystate ran 2" or 2.5" lifts on YJ's with 33's and did fine on EVERYTHING.

Sounds good initially but, currently with 3.73's, going from 32's to 35's would only net me 1.5". Tires, wheels, and new gears sounds more expense than buying a 2.5" lift.

I'm not doing too bad without the tires and lift and sometimes wonder if I should just stay where I'm at, although I do enjoy a new challenge!

Ralphster Look up a story "Lower 40" Some guys run 40" tires on a JK without lifting it ! Its a simple way to have both worlds. FjR68

Frank wrote:Ralphster Look up a story "Lower 40" Some guys run 40" tires on a JK without lifting it ! Its a simple way to have both worlds. FjR68

That's one heck of a rig. I love it. Let's take a closer look though. No suspension lift, true, but. . .

40" tires = $$$$$
20" Wheels = $$$$$
5.38 Gears = $$$$$

Not to mention a modified body and custom front and rear fenders, sway bar removal and high end shocks. And do I even need to mention the hemi. The perfect DD! Yep, that's "a simple way to have the best of both world's".

I rest my case as to which is less expensive! I think I'll stick with my original plan - basic 2.5" suspension lift = $

Tires, and maybe wheels, down the road.

Lower 40 Hard Facts:
Vehicle: '08 Jeep Wrangler JKEngine: 5.7L Hemi V-8Transmission: Getrag 238 six-speedSuspension: Stock JK, swaybar removedAxles: Mopar J8 Dana 44 (front)Mopar J8 Dana 60 (rear)Wheels: Forged Aluminum Mopar Performance 20x9Tires: 40x13.50R20 Mickey Thompson Baja ClawBuilt For: The show scene as well as wheeling! Estimated Cost: $100,000

RalphTomaccio wrote:

ZAEDOCK wrote:If I had a JK, I would install 35" tires with NO lift and trim to fit. If you want a bit more belly clearance, add a small spacer lift and have fun. Adding the PROPER spring lift and accessories will exceed your budget by a LOT. Several old members of Baystate ran 2" or 2.5" lifts on YJ's with 33's and did fine on EVERYTHING.

Sounds good initially but, currently with 3.73's, going from 32's to 35's would only net me 1.5". Tires, wheels, and new gears sounds more expense than buying a 2.5" lift.

I'm not doing too bad without the tires and lift and sometimes wonder if I should just stay where I'm at, although I do enjoy a new challenge!

Yes, but that's 1.5" under the entire Jeep. A 2.5" lift with the same tires is only lifting your belly. Your axles and suspension are still the same distance from the ground. Something to keep in mind too, is that a 35" tire will roll over obstacles easier than a 32" tire will.

As far as having to regear...the newer JK's have 285HP and 260 ft/lbs torque. You'll feel it a bit on the street, but running 35's isn't going to kill it.

If you're not doing too bad, well, then wheel the hell out of it and keep having fun.

ZAEDOCK wrote:

RalphTomaccio wrote:

ZAEDOCK wrote:If I had a JK, I would install 35" tires with NO lift and trim to fit. If you want a bit more belly clearance, add a small spacer lift and have fun. Adding the PROPER spring lift and accessories will exceed your budget by a LOT. Several old members of Baystate ran 2" or 2.5" lifts on YJ's with 33's and did fine on EVERYTHING.

Sounds good initially but, currently with 3.73's, going from 32's to 35's would only net me 1.5". Tires, wheels, and new gears sounds more expense than buying a 2.5" lift.

I'm not doing too bad without the tires and lift and sometimes wonder if I should just stay where I'm at, although I do enjoy a new challenge!

Yes, but that's 1.5" under the entire Jeep. A 2.5" lift with the same tires is only lifting your belly. Your axles and suspension are still the same distance from the ground. Something to keep in mind too, is that a 35" tire will roll over obstacles easier than a 32" tire will.

As far as having to regear...the newer JK's have 285HP and 260 ft/lbs torque. You'll feel it a bit on the street, but running 35's isn't going to kill it.

If you're not doing too bad, well, then wheel the hell out of it and keep having fun.

I have to admit that going to 35's with no lift is kind of appealing to me as I was originally only considering going to 33's when the time came to get tires. What else would have to be done to clear the tires and avoid any steering issues? And is there a selection of 35's available for stock 17" wheels? I could probably swing the tires, but definitely not the wheels. Budget is a real concern!

As for the gearing, I sometimes feel the 3.73's are a little too low as a daily driver. But with 35's, will that affect off-roading much?

I'd love to hear what others think - 35's and no lift or basic suspension lift first?

A 315/70R17 (34.5" +/- ) tire is pretty common and you can get anything from AT's to MT's in that size. In low range off road with 285HP, I don't think 35's would be a problem.

I have no idea what it would take to completely clear 35's on the JK. Marky or Don would be able to offer more insight.

I see where this is goin FjR68

Frank wrote:I see where this is goin FjR68

You do? Please tell me cause I sure don't. I'm finding that a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing and I'm glad there is no deadline on having to make a decision on all this stuff.

Dude We warned you . Dude , I think you save till you can buy the tires you want. (35s) They will pull you further into trouble ! Then save some more and do the lift you want , which helps double the trouble . Really , If 35s fit with little to no rubbing , I wouldnt go any less. The 2.5 in lift would go a long way in helping the belly rub thing. Then if you decide you want to venture down the other trails , well thats what fathers day, birthdays, Christmas , and dont count out Thanks Giving presents are for ! Skids ,lifts,tires all done ! That was 13 yrs. ago ----- and counting ! FjR68