31" tires with 2-3" lifts?

I have a 2.5 inch Old Man Emu Ultimate lift and 31x10.50-15’s on 15x8 ProComp wheels with 3.75” backspacing on my LJ. I haven’t been able to take in on any serious off-roading trips, just some local backroads and the beach on the Outer Banks. I love it and so far it works for me.

I also have the slightly wider Rubicon flare on mine so they cover the tires on the 3.75” backspacing better.

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X2 to this. These are the ones you want:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01963N4ZY/?tag=wranglerorg-20

They'll work with your 2" lift. You'll still of course need to set your bump stop, but you can read how to do that here:

Bump Stop Check Walk-Thru with Pics
Rancho makes a 2-3” shock, but they run a little long, so 3” of lift is really recommended. They're the RS55239 and RS55241

Thanks guys! I wasn’t sure since when buying singlely they state the length in compressed and extended term but they weren’t really the same as others. Them running long makes sense after that.
I stopped by a part store last night and they had a huge tire sale going on so all these tires were out in stacks. I currently run 265/75 r15s that came with the Jeep but I’ve been saying I want to go to 33”s. They let me sit a 31 KO2 next to a 33 so I could see the difference. Lol it’s hard to gage in photos but damn that’s a jump. I feel better sticking to 31s after that and reading threads like this. You guys are a huge help.
 
...when buying singlely they state the length in compressed and extended term...
Those are the relevant measurements as they pertain to your Jeep. Correct shock length depends on weight, spring rate, manufacturing tolerances, and intended use. First choose springs. Ideally it's best to install the springs, measure the distance between shock mounts, then subtract prospective shock's compressed length, the remainder is the available compression stroke length at-rest.

Examples for the rear, RS55241 has 8" of travel, ideal resting height is 4" of compression, and 4" of extension. If the remainder from the at-rest calculation is 5.5", there's not enough distance for extension; the shock is too short. This would be the case if the spring rate was very high, or the Jeep had a soft top, no rear seat, and no spare tire. For that example RS55256 with 9.625" of travel is an appropriate model option.

Example for the front, RS55239 has 9.410" of travel, if the at-rest calculation yields 3.5" for compression, the shock is too long. Because Jeeps have generous forward rake, a two-birds-with-one-stone solution would be to add a .75" spacer above the stock spring isolator.
 
Those are the relevant measurements as they pertain to your Jeep. Correct shock length depends on weight, spring rate, manufacturing tolerances, and intended use. First choose springs. Ideally it's best to install the springs, measure the distance between shock mounts, then subtract prospective shock's compressed length, the remainder is the available compression stroke length at-rest.

Examples for the rear, RS55241 has 8" of travel, ideal resting height is 4" of compression, and 4" of extension. If the remainder from the at-rest calculation is 5.5", there's not enough distance for extension; the shock is too short. This would be the case if the spring rate was very high, or the Jeep had a soft top, no rear seat, and no spare tire. For that example RS55256 with 9.625" of travel is an appropriate model option.

Example for the front, RS55239 has 9.410" of travel, if the at-rest calculation yields 3.5" for compression, the shock is too long. Because Jeeps have generous forward rake, a two-birds-with-one-stone solution would be to add a .75" spacer above the stock spring isolator.

Okay, I have a 2" RE BB w/shocks that I want to replace with OME 2" coil springs and Rancho shocks based from the word of mouth on here for the ride quality I'm looking for. I was going to do shocks first (tight budget) so I could benefit from better ride (based on what others have stated on here) while saving for the rest.
Is that not going to work? Or I guess, is that going to cause an issue installing in that order?
 
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Okay, I have a 2" RE BB w/shocks that I want to replace with OME 2" coil springs and Rancho shocks based from the word of mouth on here for the ride quality I'm looking for. I was going to do shocks first (tight budget) so I could benefit from better ride (based on what others have stated on here) while saving for the rest.
Is that not got to work? Or I guess, is that going to cause an issue installing in that order?
You can do shocks first since you have a 2" BB. Ultimately, when you do the springs you'll very likely get more than 2" of lift, especially considering the fact that your stock springs are probably sagging, so you may well net 3" from your current height when you do get to the springs. But yes, your order of doing things will work and will be a nice way to work it with your budget.
 
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Mostly about whether or not I'd be satisfied with the lower lift the H&R springs would provide. It's a balancing act between what I think I want, and what makes sense monetarily. I also do not want to open a can of worms with the 2.5" lift OME provides. I've heard "Every TJ is different" countless times on this forum, and if vibrations or clearance issues are a potential problem, I'll find some way to end up with 'em! And it's not that I'm afraid of doing the work to correct the issues. It's just the "spend a few bucks here, then a few more here, and a couple more here" trap that I don't want to get caught up in. The H&R springs (and decent shocks, of course) sure seems to follow the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) approach. It's tempting. But if I spend the coin there, and then find I'm not satisfied with the end result, I'll be doing it all over again, and at an added cost. I'm probably just overthinking it all. Some of the guys here sound like they knew exactly what they wanted. Surely there must be others, however, who tormented over the final choice...?

lol This! This is me 100%. Having two kids with Xmas around the corner means I have to wait until tax time realistically before I can get any of my bigger items..AKA: All the items.
So in the mean time I think about, contemplate, plan, look at photos of, read threads about, ask questions, decide on, change my mind, plan some more, change my mind back, etc...for 5+ months before I can actually do anything lol. Its torture and fun and is probably gonna save me time, regret and money in the long run. But the overthinking struggle is 100% real, Squatch!
 
lol This! This is me 100%. Having two kids with Xmas around the corner means I have to wait until tax time realistically before I can get any of my bigger items..AKA: All the items.
So in the mean time I think about, contemplate, plan, look at photos of, read threads about, ask questions, decide on, change my mind, plan some more, change my mind back, etc...for 5+ months before I can actually do anything lol. Its torture and fun and is probably gonna save me time, regret and money in the long run. But the overthinking struggle is 100% real, Squatch!
@Squatch, now there's a guy who has all the parts (and two of some parts) loaded inside his TJ and it will be way more than 5+ months before he gets them put on his rig. If I was him I would be going totally crazy by now. I would just say, screw my job, screw my wife, screw my nephew's car, I have to see what this TJ thing is all about and get to work. This is a little incentive Squatch. If you don't, I'm coming to Everett and I'm gonna kick your A--. Actually, I may be in WA soon, so don't test me.
 

That's a 2" BDS lift right? I don't think they offer a straight up 2.5", only 2" or 3" lift kits. I got about 2.5" of lift from my 2" BDS lift. Wasn't sure if this is what you meant too, or if you added 1/2" of body lift?

How do you like it? I love mine so far after 6 months. The ride is awesome with KO2 32's at 27-28 PSI. Can't imagine it any better.
 
That's a 2" BDS lift right? I don't think they offer a straight up 2.5", only 2" or 3" lift kits. I got about 2.5" of lift from my 2" BDS lift. Wasn't sure if this is what you meant too, or if you added 1/2" of body lift?

How do you like it? I love mine so far after 6 months. The ride is awesome with KO2 32's at 27-28 PSI. Can't imagine it any better.

You did the 2" kit w/ Fox shocks? I just looked it up and its a good price! Less rough ride on street/in general?
 
That's a 2" BDS lift right? I don't think they offer a straight up 2.5", only 2" or 3" lift kits. I got about 2.5" of lift from my 2" BDS lift. Wasn't sure if this is what you meant too, or if you added 1/2" of body lift?

How do you like it? I love mine so far after 6 months. The ride is awesome with KO2 32's at 27-28 PSI. Can't imagine it any better.

I have to agree. Love my 3”BDS after 9 months. I’m about to bump to 33s and 4.56 gears. I’ll see if my opinion changes much.


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You did the 2" kit w/ Fox shocks? I just looked it up and its a good price! Less rough ride on street/in general?

The 2" lift kit comes with NX2 shocks. It costs quite a bit more to upgrade the kit to include Fox 2.0 shocks (all of these products are owned by mother company Fox). This wasn't something I needed and I have no regrets not upgrading.

The NX2's are of similar design to the Rancho RS 5000X everyone raves about. They are a great ride on the street, which is where my TJ will spend 99% of it's time. They are supposed to be decent off-road too, but they are entry level shocks just like the Ranchos.
 
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The 5000X is a proven shock. There are a bunch of us that run them both on and off road. I have no information on the NX2 shocks by BDS but I can tell you they are twice the price, according to the BDS website.
 
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@Squatch, now there's a guy who has all the parts (and two of some parts) loaded inside his TJ and it will be way more than 5+ months before he gets them put on his rig. If I was him I would be going totally crazy by now. I would just say, screw my job, screw my wife, screw my nephew's car, I have to see what this TJ thing is all about and get to work. This is a little incentive Squatch. If you don't, I'm coming to Everett and I'm gonna kick your A--. Actually, I may be in WA soon, so don't test me.
Gonna show me some "tough love", eh, @JMT? LOL I used to get frustrated that every time I plan some garage time, something crops up, but I've just come to realize that it's just the way my life is. For instance, I took this entire week off just to babysit my granddaughter while her folks are in Mexico on a much needed vacation. And you know what? If it came to that TJ or my lil' grandbaby, the little one wins, hands down. At least my distractions from working in the garage are productive, meaningful things. That helps immensely.

No regrets!
 
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The 5000X is a proven shock. There are a bunch of us that run them both on and off road. I have no information on the NX2 shocks by BDS but I can tell you they are twice the price, according to the BDS website.

There was a comment @Chris made on a thread (Paraphrasing) That a set of Rancho shocks on decent/cheaper coils would ride better that stiffer shocks that aren't Rancho.
So your probably got a solid point Rob. I like getting as much fuel for my overthinking as possible lol. I really want as nice of a ride as i can for the best price. Ranchos are'nt too expensive, which is great. OME seem to get the best reviews for springs overall. Theres just so many choices! :eek:
 
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