Tire clearance and lift options

Bkspear

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 30, 2020
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107
Location
GA
I have recently put 31” tires on my 06 and other than Rancho 5000x shocks, it is stock. I don’t like how close the fenders are to the tires, especially in the front. What are my options other than a full suspension lift? I really don’t want to have to swap out my Rancho shocks either. Thanks.

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I have recently put 31” tires on my 06 and other than Rancho 5000x shocks, it is stock. I don’t like how close the fenders are to the tires, especially in the front. What are my options other than a full suspension lift? I really don’t want to have to swap out my Rancho shocks either. Thanks.

View attachment 260953
Unless you have any need for the extra inch or less in ground clearance with the 31,s i would just change tires to stock height, TJ looks uniform with no lift and 28-29,s
 
I thought you could use the same shocks with a spacer lift and maybe new rear bumpstops? Seems that way on all the tutorials I have seen
There is no difference between a spring lift and a spacer lift when it come to shocks, they are both suspension lifts and require the same type of measuring and setup.
 
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I have recently put 31” tires on my 06 and other than Rancho 5000x shocks, it is stock. I don’t like how close the fenders are to the tires, especially in the front. What are my options other than a full suspension lift? I really don’t want to have to swap out my Rancho shocks either. Thanks.

View attachment 260953
Your options depend. What Rancho 5000X shocks do you have?
 
Front springs measure 12" and the rear 8" as the Jeep sits on level ground. Anything less is sag. I'm guessing yours are 11 and 7 or worse.

I just measured and the front is 11" and rear is right around 8". If I'm going to replace the front springs should I just replace the rear as well? How difficult are the springs to replace as "DIY"? Thanks!!
 
easy-peasy with a socket/wrench set.


Yes
That's Bullshit for most people. You assume too much. I worked for Crutchfield and charged people $100+ for a stereo/speaker install. My last one on the wife's car took me 18 minutes, start to finish. You couldn't do it in under 1.5 hours guaranteed. Probably more like 3 hours.
 
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That's Bullshit for most people. You assume too much.
I suppose I'm an optimist. I think the average person capable of replacing some springs.

I worked for Crutchfield and charged people $100+ for a stereo/speaker install. My last one on the wife's car took me 18 minutes, start to finish. You couldn't do it in under 1.5 hours guaranteed. Probably more like 3 hours.
Good for you I guess?
 
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I just measured and the front is 11" and rear is right around 8". If I'm going to replace the front springs should I just replace the rear as well? How difficult are the springs to replace as "DIY"? Thanks!!
You'll need a floor jack, at least two jack stands, and basic tools which any self-respecting Jeep owner should have. Biggest problem will be taking it apart because of corroded fasteners even in no salt regions. There are a number of videos on YouTube about doing spring and spacer lifts. Have a look at the videos and make your determination if doing the lift or spring replacement is within your ability. For me, it wouldn't be a big thing but then I tend to forge ahead and get to point where I can't back out so have to figure out ways to finish the job.

 
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I just measured and the front is 11" and rear is right around 8". If I'm going to replace the front springs should I just replace the rear as well? How difficult are the springs to replace as "DIY"? Thanks!!
Yes, you would want to replace front and rear springs together if you decided to do a suspension lift to accommodate the larger tires. The first time I did it, it took 6 hours. Now I'm faster, but I still take my time and I'm at a place where I have to make a lot of adjustments because my build is more complicated.

Another option for some more clearance is to do a small body lift, 1-1.25". It is less labor intensive, actually pretty easy comparatively, and takes less time. There are a few other things you would need if you went this route, like possibly extending the gas filler tube by loosening it at the tank and extending a bit, adjusting the Transfer Case shifting bracket, or replacing it with a cable driven one.
 
I changed out the stock springs for H&Rs and the shocks for new Rancho's in about 3 lazy hours on a Saturday morning. Used a floor jack and jack stands.
Where can I find H&R springs? Where they the same as stock? I don't have a body or suspension lift currently.