Looking for advice on lift and tires

Prometheus

Prometheus

New Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2021
Messages
19
Location
Ohio
Hey guys, I'm new here. I actually ended up here because I am planning a road trip to moab this year and was told about the Planned group trip from this forum. I think I might try to join that.
I did my first real bit of offroading with a jeep group here in Ohio called Mojo. I joined a stock trail ride but turned out to be the most stock jeep there and boy did I feel it. Complete stock ride height and just one size up from stock tires. The trails werent that bad except for clearance issues. So this has motivated me to want a lift before I head out to moab.

I have a 2004 sport with a manual transmission and a 6cyl. I want to a medium build because I drive this jeep a lot and dont want to make it a rock crawler. But I do want more clearance. So I was thinking about doing a 2'' lift and putting on 33'' tires. I believe that will be simple and cheap enough to get done before the trip and give me that little extra clearance I am looking for.

My question to you guys is, are any of you running that set up? what is a good quality 2'' lift? My understanding is its just shocks and springs being changed and with a 2'' you wont have to mess with anything else. Is that correct?

If I did do the 2'' lift I believe I could fit 33'' tires. Is that right? If I could what size rims would I need to buy?

So to be clear I'm just looking for a quick and easy lift where I dont have to change out a bunch but can get some extra height from that and bigger tires.

I appreciate any info guys, I'm hoping to make the trip with you all, but after how brutal it was yesterday on the trail theres no way I'm going without a slight lift and bigger tires. While I was able to do it all I still heard so hard hits and scrapes I hope to never hear again lol.

I attached photo. Im the small light khaki tj.

20210117_100233.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: taylormade73 and Tob
Prometheus said:
Hey guys, I'm new here. I actually ended up here because I am planning a road trip to moab this year and was told about the Planned group trip from this forum. I think I might try to join that.
I did my first real bit of offroading with a jeep group here in Ohio called Mojo. I joined a stock trail ride but turned out to be the most stock jeep there and boy did I feel it. Complete stock ride height and just one size up from stock tires. The trails werent that bad except for clearance issues. So this has motivated me to want a lift before I head out to moab.

I have a 2004 sport with a manual transmission and a 6cyl. I want to a medium build because I drive this jeep a lot and dont want to make it a rock crawler. But I do want more clearance. So I was thinking about doing a 2'' lift and putting on 33'' tires. I believe that will be simple and cheap enough to get done before the trip and give me that little extra clearance I am looking for.

My question to you guys is, are any of you running that set up? what is a good quality 2'' lift? My understanding is its just shocks and springs being changed and with a 2'' you wont have to mess with anything else. Is that correct?

If I did do the 2'' lift I believe I could fit 33'' tires. Is that right? If I could what size rims would I need to buy?

So to be clear I'm just looking for a quick and easy lift where I dont have to change out a bunch but can get some extra height from that and bigger tires.

I appreciate any info guys, I'm hoping to make the trip with you all, but after how brutal it was yesterday on the trail theres no way I'm going without a slight lift and bigger tires. While I was able to do it all I still heard so hard hits and scrapes I hope to never hear again lol.

I attached photo. Im the small light khaki tj.

View attachment 218983
Click to expand...
A 2” lift is good for 31” tires. A 4” lift is good for 33’s.

Some folks get away with a 2” suspension lift and a 1.25” body lift and 33’s. Doing so, is a great way to go, it gives you the abilty to stick to 33” tires and add a much needed tummy tuck.

If I were you, I’d stick with a 2” suspension lift and 31’s to begin with and go from there.

A 4” lift and 33’s, when done right, in my opinion, require a SYE, adjustable control arms, a regear, and while you're in the diffs; lockers. A rabbit hole if you will.
 
  • Like
Reactions: D M
Fouledplugs said:
A 2” lift is good for 31” tires. A 4” lift is good for 33’s.

Some folks get away with a 2” suspension lift and a 1.25” body lift and 33’s. Doing so, is a great way to go, it gives you the abilty to stick to 33” tires and add a much needed tummy tuck.

If I were you, I’d stick with a 2” suspension lift and 31’s to begin with and go from there.

A 4” lift and 33’s, when done right, in my opinion, require a SYE, adjustable control arms, a regear, and while you're in the diffs; lockers. A rabbit hole if you will.
Click to expand...
Okay good to know. I dont think I want anything bigger than a 2 inch lift. I dont plan on doing anything to crazy to my tj. Just average offroading. I want it to last a long time. But I do want to be able to do a little more without the painful screams from under my jeep lol. It climbed everything and was very impressive. only issue was getting caught on the center. I drive it everyday though and I also dont want to spend another small fortune on it. So a reasonable 2'' lift and bigger tires are all I'm looking for. I'm just hoping someone is running it with good success here and can share what they did/used.
 
2.5" suspension lift, 1.25 body lift and a 1" motor mount lift will give you a capable jeep that can run 33's. Many people, myself included, run this setup. Old Man Emu is highly regarded for their 2.5" springs and Rancho 5000x are the best shock for the budget. There are some cheaper springs out there that will also work. Just don't buy garbage shocks, stick with the Ranchos. I would also recommend an adjustable front track bar. JKS, Rough Country and Metalcloak are known to work with lower lifts. A rear relocation bracket isn't ideal but works decently until you can upgrade to an adjustable bar. For 33's I would also recommend upgrading your brake pads with Black Magic pads. Unfortunately a decent lift takes some work to do right. Stock control arms will be fine and better than any of the budget arms out there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: D M
I completely understand what you're trying to do.

Keep it simple.

Get some 3" springs

Adjustable track bar

Swar bar links for longer springs that disconnect

Shocks


Good year MTR 33x12.50x15 tires
(Actually measure 32.8)

Get some 15x8 wheels with 3.75 Backspacing

Done

Go wheeling and enjoy
 
  • Like
Reactions: fourpointzero
Prometheus said:
Okay good to know. I dont think I want anything bigger than a 2 inch lift. I dont plan on doing anything to crazy to my tj. Just average offroading. I want it to last a long time. But I do want to be able to do a little more without the painful screams from under my jeep lol. It climbed everything and was very impressive. only issue was getting caught on the center. I drive it everyday though and I also dont want to spend another small fortune on it. So a reasonable 2'' lift and bigger tires are all I'm looking for. I'm just hoping someone is running it with good success here and can share what they did/used.
Click to expand...
Glad to see you here! I'd go with a 2" lift and 31's. You'll still be able to have a lot of fun in Moab (or anywhere for that matter) with 31's, and they aren't bad for daily driving. Do you know your differential gear ratios?

At 2" of lift, you won't need adjustable track bars, transfer case drop, or much else. If you really don't want to spend much money you can even go with a budget boost lift, which gives you lift via spacers between the spring perch and springs. You will need longer shocks if you lift it though.
 
My lift is 2'' Pro comp springs, 1.25" body lift ,Rancho Shocks, Adjustable front track bar, Rear track bar relocation bracket, stock control arms,33" tires . I did add a 1" MML later. I copied @Codamans lift , it has worked out great for me, my jeep is my daily also.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tob
Prometheus said:
If I did do the 2'' lift I believe I could fit 33'' tires. Is that right? If I could what size rims would I need to buy?
Click to expand...
They could technically fit, but you'd have to lose some articulation and travel to keep them from hitting your fenders. Neither of which you'd want to trade off too much of. I'd go with 15x8 wheels for good tire selection and more sidewall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tob
no sense screwing around and having to redo it all over to go bigger. just do a 6in. lift and 2in bl with 35 or 37's and be done ! no sense doing it 3 or 4 times and wasting money
 
  • Like
Reactions: Claybirdd
SoCalTJ said:
Check out the setup below...myself and several other people have used this template with great results. Also, I think the single best thing I have done is install a front locker. It significantly improved off road performance. Its fairly inexpensive and if you're handy at all can be installed in your garage.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/codamans-2004-jeep-wrangler-rubicon.9347/#post-143609
Click to expand...
Thank you everyone for the feedback. This is very much looking like the route I was wanting and well within what I was looking to spend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: fourpointzero
Prometheus said:
Thank you everyone for the feedback. This is very much looking like the route I was wanting and well within what I was looking to spend.
Click to expand...
One thing that is not on that list that you will need is a set of longer sway bar disconnects. The JKS quick disconnects are probably the best ones.
 
I have been really enjoying my Jeep with 31in tyres with plans to run bigger tyres.. Take the advise that has been given above and have fun in it.

Me flexing my rock crawling muscles with 31in tyres.
20210117_092515.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tob
Dumb question, as I am also at the start of the TJ upgrade road. When trying to squeeze the max tire size for a particular suspension lift the suggestion seems to be to add in a max 1.25" body lift to increase clearance. But I have watched a couple of YouTube videos in recent days (I know, I know, that can be a dangerous thing to do as you have no idea of the knowledge of the person in the video) and an alternative seems to be to change out the stock flares. As far as I can tell what is being said is that the flare is the lowest point in the wheel arch and so more clearance can be achieved by raising that limiting factor by using a higher flare or even changing the fenders themselves for tube fenders. Am I getting this all around my neck or is this basically correct?

Not trying to divert Prometheus' thread, but if what I am saying above is not the ramblings of an uninformed new boy and he is also considering some aesthetic changes it may be one stone, two bird opportunity.
 
UKTJ said:
Dumb question, as I am also at the start of the TJ upgrade road. When trying to squeeze the max tire size for a particular suspension lift the suggestion seems to be to add in a max 1.25" body lift to increase clearance. But I have watched a couple of YouTube videos in recent days (I know, I know, that can be a dangerous thing to do as you have no idea of the knowledge of the person in the video) and an alternative seems to be to change out the stock flares. As far as I can tell what is being said is that the flare is the lowest point in the wheel arch and so more clearance can be achieved by raising that limiting factor by using a higher flare or even changing the fenders themselves for tube fenders. Am I getting this all around my neck or is this basically correct?

Not trying to divert Prometheus' thread, but if what I am saying above is not the ramblings of an uninformed new boy and he is also considering some aesthetic changes it may be one stone, two bird opportunity.
Click to expand...
The flares are not the issue. The seam on the underside of the fender is. YouTube is great for misinformation. Lots of videos showing large tires on little to no lift. What they don't show is what is being given up. You want to build a well balanced suspension or plan to have a rough riding Jeep that's no fun to drive. There are replacement fenders that will give you an actual increase in available uptravel. Look up highline fenders. Beware of companies who claim their fenders allow oversized tires while maintaining a "low center of gravity". The plastic bolt on fender flares will gain you nothing except a smaller wallet.
The best course of action is to decide what tires you want to ultimately run. Build towards them using quality parts you won't have to replace.
The small body lift is highly recommended not only for tire clearance. It also allows you to install raised skid plates in the future.
 
  • Like
Reactions: UKTJ and Tob
Is there there not some extra work involved in a "manual transmission" body lift over the auto?
Personally I am a stock TJ enthusiast, your jeep looks good as it is to me because in my opinion 1% of a "daily driver" TJ mods is for extreme off road use and 99% is just for a tougher looking jeep! :)
Break something rock climbing and you cant get to work or the Mall and its no longer your daily driver :)
Go big or dont go! lol
 
Top Bottom
Back