Locker vs Lift Kit

[TJim]

Hey guys! I have a 2004 TJ 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. I have finally gathered some money for my first upgrade.

I want to mention that now I am almost completely stock with 16" rims and 29" tires. I would like to go max 31" tires (with 15" rims) and 2-2.5" lift kit.

Would you suggest first a rear axle locker or a lift kit-tire change combo?

For the rear axle locker, I would go 30 spline dana 35 with arb air locker.

Which upgrade should I do first? Do you have any other tips? Thanks

 

[Westtown Willy]

Stick around long enough & you’ll read some version of the following statement repeatedly, and for good reason: “depends on your uses”.

So, perhaps tell us what you intend to do with the TJ in terms of terrain (street, off road, types of off road…), is it a toy or a daily, future ideas for modifications, things like that.

Oh, and photos, we’ll need those to assess the situation

Then, you’ll get more information that you wanted

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Since you don't really need a lift to run 31" tires, I'd go with the locker which will REALLY help when you're offroad. A Super 35 kit from Revolution Gear with one of the available lockers, Detroit Locker, ARB Air Locker, or Eaton E-Locker would be a great choice. Personally I'd go with the E-locker since it's simpler and doesn't require a compressor. Ricky @Garza at www.4lowparts.com can set you up with the Super 35 and whatever locker you decide on.

 

[TJim]

Stick around long enough & you’ll read some version of the following statement repeatedly, and for good reason: “depends on your uses”.

So, perhaps tell us what you intend to do with the TJ in terms of terrain (street, off road, types of off road…), is it a toy or a daily, future ideas for modifications, things like that.

Oh, and photos, we’ll need those to assess the situation

Then, you’ll get more information that you wanted

Its my daily driver, but I want to off road it as much as my schedule clears. I enjoy offroad trips, etc. Mostly rocky terrains (not rockcrawling), mud and snow, less sand. My goal is to be as capable as possible, but not to do HUGE modifications. (Max 31" tires, 2.5" lift, winch, locker, possibly overlander mods in the future)

Here are some photos.

 

[TJim]

Since you don't really need a lift to run 31" tires, I'd go with the locker which will REALLY help when you're offroad. A Super 35 from Revolution Gear with one of the available lockers, Detroit Locker, ARB Air Locker, or Eaton E-Locker would be a great choice. Personally I'd go with the E-locker since it's simpler and doesn't require a compressor.

I was under the impression that I have to do a 2-2.5 inch lift to run 31" tires. Am I wrong?

I have a 4 cylinder 2.4L engine SE model.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I was under the impression that I have to do a 2-2.5 inch lift to run 31" tires. Am I wrong?

I have a 4 cylinder 2.4L engine SE model.

The Rubicon comes with the exact same suspension height your TJ has and it comes with factory tires that are the metric equivalent of 31" tires.

All you need to do to run 31" tires is to add a washer under the left and right-side steering stop bolts which will prevent the slightly wider size of the 31x10.50 tire from rubbing on the front control arms when the steering wheel is cranked hard all the way left or right. Here's how.... http://4x4xplor.com/steerstop.html

 

[Chris]

Lift for sure, lockers should be done in combination with re-gearing.

 

[jeepguy03]

I was under the impression that I have to do a 2-2.5 inch lift to run 31" tires. Am I wrong?

I have a 4 cylinder 2.4L engine SE model.

I have 1" H&R springs and they clear my 31x10.5's perfectly. 31's will fit fine stock they just will look a bit stuffed. Definitely go with a locker and see how it does. Adding larger tires to a 4 cylinder Jeep also drastically reduces highway performance.

 

[SoCalTJ]

All very good suggestions above. My personal preference would be to go with a locker in the front if it was my only one.

 

[never monday]

I’d spend the money on agressive 31” MT’s and a lunchbox locker for the front diff

 

[TJim]

why front and not rear locker?

 

[never monday]

Less cost and better performance

 

[Jerry Bransford]

why front and not rear locker?

There's only one reason I'd ever suggest a front locker before a rear... If the rear axle was a Dana 35 without the $$ to install a Super 35 kit. If I'm offroad, I use my rear locker 99% of the time. Only on a VERY tight turn would I ever run just my front locker locked with the rear unlocked.

 

[vito2772]

Lift for sure, lockers should be done in combination with re-gearing.

I would agree with this. If you plan on getting bigger tires at some point, I would definitely do that first with the lift. If you get a locker now, you may have to buy another one later when you regear if it isn't compatible with the deeper gears.

 

[ToddDerrArtist]

I was under the impression that I have to do a 2-2.5 inch lift to run 31" tires. Am I wrong?

I have a 4 cylinder 2.4L engine SE model.

Here is a photo of mine with new 31's installed prior to my lift springs. No issues or rubbing.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If you get a locker now, you may have to buy another one later when you regear if it isn't compatible with the deeper gears.

That would never be the case since you can install a thick set of deeper/low ratio R&P gears onto a locker or carrier meant for high ratio gears. I'm running a thick set of 5.38 gears on my Rubicon lockers.

 

[vito2772]

That would never be the case since you can install a thick set of deeper/low ratio R&P gears onto a locker or carrier meant for high ratio gears. I'm running a thick set of 5.38 gears on my Rubicon lockers.

Thank you for the clarification!

 

[LONGJP2]

why front and not rear locker?

Here's a few reasons, although I'm sure some will disagree.
You're more likely to lift a front tire than a rear. Once one tire is in the air, there's no traction without a locker. A locker in the front will help climb a ledge better than one in the rear that just pushes you in to it. When climbing a steep incline, most of the weight is on both rear tires, so no rear locker needed. However, you would want both front tires turning up front to help keep you pointed in the right direction. When going down ledges, a front locker can pull you off if both rear tires are in the air.

 

[Goatman]

It sounds to me like the OP won't be doing a lot of technical rock crawling so the 'which tire lifts first' scenario isn't likely to happen. And since he says a 31" max tire doesn't require a lift, then the rear locker is a no brainer to me. He can add a 1" budget boost to the stock springs and keep his nice factory ride. Add a set of Rancho 5000x shocks made for 0-2 inch lift and he is all set.

 

[Oklahomacheapjeep]

I’d spend the money on agressive 31” MT’s and a lunchbox locker for the front diff

X2 on the lunchbox locker