I'm looking at starting to tailor my TJ more to my needs. The goals for this build are not super typical, so I'm not 100% on what direction to go.
The goal is to build a reliable daily driver/weekend warrior build that will be towing a trailer on the trails. The trailer will be below 2000 pounds, just basically going to carry the tent, the propane, and an auxiliary 12 volt system. We will tow the trailer to the camp spot, then unhitch it and go explore, or we'll pull it through some mild trails. So I've been weighing a few options and because of the towing aspect and just wanting to run mild trails, and wanting good road manners, I'm seriously considering just a 2.5" lift, some good short arms, dual rate springs, highlines, 33's or 35's, a selectable locker in the rear 44, possibly some chromoly shafts in the front 30, and either a np241 OR or an atlas.
my thoughts are a larger tire will give a better footprint to pull, and more sidewall to air it down. I don't need really any more break over clearance for the trails I run, especially while pulling something. Keeping it low keeps the short arms at a better angle for the on-road ride quality, and the highlines give the fender clearance needed to make it work without rubbing. It does need to be able to be at full flex at full lock with minor or ideally no rubbing.
Now with that all said, I am debating if the 30 up front is still going to be sufficient, or if it would be worth the coin to just pony up and get a rubi 44 especially pulling a load and having some better t-case gearing. Both axles would need to be regeared anyway. I think 4.88 gears or even 5.13 gears because of the towing. Also questioning if going to a long arm wouldn't be good just for the articulation. Keeping the wheels on the ground would help it pull the dead weight without stressing only one axle shaft when twisted up.
Thoughts or suggestions? everything is totally open and i'm not dead set on anything, not even it being a jeep. so if you have a thought or concern, lets hear it!
The goal is to build a reliable daily driver/weekend warrior build that will be towing a trailer on the trails. The trailer will be below 2000 pounds, just basically going to carry the tent, the propane, and an auxiliary 12 volt system. We will tow the trailer to the camp spot, then unhitch it and go explore, or we'll pull it through some mild trails. So I've been weighing a few options and because of the towing aspect and just wanting to run mild trails, and wanting good road manners, I'm seriously considering just a 2.5" lift, some good short arms, dual rate springs, highlines, 33's or 35's, a selectable locker in the rear 44, possibly some chromoly shafts in the front 30, and either a np241 OR or an atlas.
my thoughts are a larger tire will give a better footprint to pull, and more sidewall to air it down. I don't need really any more break over clearance for the trails I run, especially while pulling something. Keeping it low keeps the short arms at a better angle for the on-road ride quality, and the highlines give the fender clearance needed to make it work without rubbing. It does need to be able to be at full flex at full lock with minor or ideally no rubbing.
Now with that all said, I am debating if the 30 up front is still going to be sufficient, or if it would be worth the coin to just pony up and get a rubi 44 especially pulling a load and having some better t-case gearing. Both axles would need to be regeared anyway. I think 4.88 gears or even 5.13 gears because of the towing. Also questioning if going to a long arm wouldn't be good just for the articulation. Keeping the wheels on the ground would help it pull the dead weight without stressing only one axle shaft when twisted up.
Thoughts or suggestions? everything is totally open and i'm not dead set on anything, not even it being a jeep. so if you have a thought or concern, lets hear it!