2" or 2.5" lift? 31" or 32" tires?
- Thread starter LucyTempleton
- Start date
Stock suspension with 31”. Might do a 2” lift this spring, depending on suggestions from forum members. Just joined today and not sure what’s all involved.
WDE
TJ Enthusiast
2" BDS kit with 31 General AT2. No complaints other than vibes, but that seems to be a crap shoot...some get 'me, some don't. Solved with a MML and a few washers for TC drop. If I were doing it again, I would get the springs and use the often recommended Rancho RS5000x shocks instead of the kit shocks.
I also needed to shim the steering stops to keep from rubbing at full lock but that's no big deal.
I also needed to shim the steering stops to keep from rubbing at full lock but that's no big deal.
ToddDerrArtist
TJ Enthusiast
Unfortunately that price was only good back in January, which I just lucked into at the last minute, because I don't normally think of Costco for tires, but we have a membership. It was buy 4 and have them installed and get $110 off, basically. Keep an eye out, you can catch deals like that from time to time.
I think they are $168.99 per tire, now, plus mount and balance. So, they would be about the same as everybody else.
Just finished OME 2.5” lift, running 265/75/16” tires about 32”. I think this is about perfect for an upgrade to the stock set up, happy as a lark
I would say it really depends on your axle gearing. With 4.10s then you could run a 32" tire with no problem at all. But if you have 3.73s I would stick to a 31" tire. I think it's more important to keep a build balanced so it can meet its goals without spiraling out of control needing more parts and money to try and get the TJ back in balance. Too much tire needs new gearing. Keep the tire in balance with the gears and then everything works well together. So that is what I would name for.
2" lift and 2 1/2" lift are basically used interchangeably. It depends on your weight (
the Jeep, not you.) I have the light OME springs front and back. 6 cyl, 6 speed, with a winch on front. And it all sits well. And rides nicely. If you plan on adding a ton of armor onto your Jeep then the heavier springs would be best I think.
This is mine running OME 2" springs and 32's (265/75R16)
2" lift and 2 1/2" lift are basically used interchangeably. It depends on your weight (
the Jeep, not you.) I have the light OME springs front and back. 6 cyl, 6 speed, with a winch on front. And it all sits well. And rides nicely. If you plan on adding a ton of armor onto your Jeep then the heavier springs would be best I think.This is mine running OME 2" springs and 32's (265/75R16)
kanur
Member
When I bought this TJ the shocks and springs were shot, the front had sagged 2" and had a very heavy forward rake. It had 2" spring spacers and none of the original spring isolators.
![IMG_2032[1].JPG](https://wranglertjforum.com/attachments/img_2032-1-jpg.225114/ "IMG_2032[1].JPG")
I replace the springs and shocks with an OME 2" lift and their 1/2" isolators. With the hardtop on it still had more rake than I liked so I added a 3/4" spacer to the front. Here is how it sits today with worn out 31 10.50s. I'm probably going to replace them with 32 11.50s.
![IMG_2343[1].JPG](https://wranglertjforum.com/attachments/img_2343-1-jpg.225118/ "IMG_2343[1].JPG")
I replace the springs and shocks with an OME 2" lift and their 1/2" isolators. With the hardtop on it still had more rake than I liked so I added a 3/4" spacer to the front. Here is how it sits today with worn out 31 10.50s. I'm probably going to replace them with 32 11.50s.
I think 32s aesthetically look best with a 2” lift IMO. Just fills the wheel well/gap better than 31s. I came from 31s and went to 33s after I lifted 2” bds springs which looked more like 2.5” (then proceeded to add a 1.25” BL).
JM_TJ
TJ Enthusiast
Mobusaki
TJ Enthusiast
I've had 31's on 2" and 32's on 2" and now 32's on 3.5". The 32's rubbed the front fenders on the 2" lift. I had to increase my bumpstop more than I had with 31's. So I got bigger tires but less flex.
Also, if you have factory 3.07 or 3.73 gears I would recommend to stick with the 31's. It will be bad enough as it is with those gears. If you have 4.11 then shifting with the 31's will feel perfect, and the 32's will be good too.
Edit: Forgot to say I had Duratracs for both sizes and recommend them highly, particularly if you see snow where you live. As for lifts I think for ride quality the shocks are the most important. I can recommend BDS or Rancho RS5000X, both are very smooth. My Skyjackers are very rough. For springs just avoid the bottom barrel brands and I think you'll be great.
Also, if you have factory 3.07 or 3.73 gears I would recommend to stick with the 31's. It will be bad enough as it is with those gears. If you have 4.11 then shifting with the 31's will feel perfect, and the 32's will be good too.
Edit: Forgot to say I had Duratracs for both sizes and recommend them highly, particularly if you see snow where you live. As for lifts I think for ride quality the shocks are the most important. I can recommend BDS or Rancho RS5000X, both are very smooth. My Skyjackers are very rough. For springs just avoid the bottom barrel brands and I think you'll be great.
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1 inch is not going to change much. This can be done with new springs or some spacers. As far as bushings are concerned, if they are the originals they probably need replaced regardless of a lift.
I'm running the Rancho 2.5" lift kit with Rancho 5000x and put under with KO2 32x11.5.x15 on stock rims. Used as my daily driver and fire roads for the most part. I went this route as cost was def a factor and the Rancho kit and shocks fit the budget. Snow is also a pretty serious consideration up here and the KO2's have been great.
TJRick
TJ Enthusiast
I’ve got a set of Goodyear MT/Rs that I planning to install for the summer season, that will make it perfect. Trying to find another set of 16” Moabs but no luck so far. Market is full of 17’s- 16” are slim pickens
Mobusaki
TJ Enthusiast
I just wanted to correct something I said here about the Skyjacker shocks. I had too small of a bumpstop gap due to switching to a stop that does not compress down as small as the oem one. After fixing that issue the ride quality with my Skyjacker Hydro Shocks is smooth. No complaints for the price.