Recommended tire size for 4 cylinder engine?

TJim

TJim

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Hey guys,

what size of tires/rims (+lift kit) would you recomment for a 2004 2.4l 4-cylinder engine TJ.

Its my dd, and I also enjoy to offroad (not hardcore stuff, but I enjoy some challenges)
 
235-75R15 is real doable with out a lift, and ok offroad.
Of course it all depends what you are trying to achieve and how much money you want to spend to do it.
This can be easy, or you can go down the rabbit hole and before long, if the check book holds out, you
can be running 2.5 ton Rockwells, 48" Terra tires, and a 634" big block Chevy with a 8-71 blower:ROFLMAO:
Seriously, since your at low elevation you likely could go with a MAX. of 31" tire with 2-2.5" lift.
Have fun with your Jeep!
 
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2" springs...
Shocks of appropriate length for 2" lift
Sway bar disconnects for 2" lift

31" tires.
No more.

15x8 wheels with 3.75 back spacing

Just know you will lose 5th gear pretty much all the time and you pretty much have to 4 wheel in low range...pretty much all the time as well.

Have fun and be safe
 
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This is my 2001 4 cylinder, with 31' tires. The first photo is original and the second is after a 2.5" lift on the front and 2" on the rear. Would definitely not go any larger on tires without gearing. Really hard to keep it wound up on a hilly highway.

IMG_3861.JPG


IMG_3866.JPG
 
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245/75R16 was stock on the Rubicon. They came with the same 4.10 axles that you (probably) have. They would be as big as I would think you could go without some sort of power adding. And they should fit with no lift needed at all. So perhaps slide in some 1" spring boosters and go to town! (Or 'out of town' I guess would be the better saying.)🤔
 
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I run 33's with the 4cyl. and while being under powered, you just have to keep that in mind when pulling out in traffic and drive like an old lady. However, since replacing my entire exhaust it has a little more "umph" at the lower range now.
With that being said, I'm working with someone to re-gear mine too.
 
mrblaine said:
Like you have a choice. 4 cyl TJ's should come with a blue hair wig as standard equipment.
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hahaha dont make me sad. I dont live in USA, I live in Greece, and the tax if you own a 4.0l model is just too expensive for me to handle.. TJs were my childhood dream though, so I got a 2.4L one.

It came stock with 215/75r15 tires (equivalent to 27.7"). Now I have 235/70r16 (equivalent to 29").
Because in Greece we have mostly rocky terrains/mountains etc, I would like some more clearance. I dont really know what to do though.
 
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I'd agree with keeping tires small with the 4 cyl. Though I know one person that runs 35's and would swear it runs just fine.
 
suicideking said:
I'd agree with keeping tires small with the 4 cyl. Though I know one person that runs 35's and would swear it runs just fine.
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I run 35s with my big block 4, but it's mostly a trail rig that I trailer to the trails. I have 4.88 gears and it runs around town fine and does ok on the flatish highways around me. If it's a dd or being driven on the highway a lot, I wouldn't go larger than a 31 or maybe 32. Just keep her light and have fun!
 
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What do yoj
Rubicon88 said:
2" springs...
Shocks of appropriate length for 2" lift
Sway bar disconnects for 2" lift

31" tires.
No more.

15x8 wheels with 3.75 back spacing

Just know you will lose 5th gear pretty much all the time and you pretty much have to 4 wheel in low range...pretty much all the time as well.

Have fun and be safe
Click to expand...
what Do you mean by “lose” 5th gear?
 
Weasellee said:
What do yoj

what Do you mean by “lose” 5th gear?
Click to expand...
Figure of speech...

But....

31" tires and a 4 cylinder pretty much make 5th gear useless.

Flat Florida you could get away with it but again not all the time. They've got some damn steep bridges down there...lol...

On a free way in Florida you can but the slightest hiccup and you're grabbing 4th otherwise you'll get run over.

I'm from Western PA and 31's and a 4 cylinder here literally turn the ax-5 into a 4 speed. Yoi might hit 5th down hill but even then you'll be down shifting near immediately again.
 
A 4 cylinder if mechanically savvy is a nice platform to start a build if the ultimate intention is an engine/tranny swap.

They can had much cheaper than a 6 and already come with 4.10 gears which is nice...
.....
and most wrenches don't know how to set up a R&P but they can swap a motor and tranny.

Even in stock form the weakest link is the AX-5. Those trannies are NOT Jeep's finest hour whatsoever. Many AX-5 have been dusted with moderate use. (Not abuse)

If the goal is to lift and tires immediately then I'd highly advise against a 4 cylinder because there is absolutely zero room for modifications over stock.

In Pennsylvania we've got a variety of country. Hills...some short and others long. In a 4.0 you can get away with a 32" and some 33" tires and still able to use 5th gear. (Provided you've a 3.73 gear or 4.10 Rubicon)

The 4 cylinder is "OK" with 28/29" tires and use all 5 gears. It's still a slug but not quite as annoying as when you bump to a 31" tire. 32's? Oh boy. 33's? 😶
 
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