Jeep College Plans

[Ben Butler]

Hello! I currently own a 99 TJ with a few upgrades. I'm running a 4.25" lift (3" suspension and 1.25" body) with 35s. I have a tummy tuck, metalcloak rear control arms and stock front. I'm running the stock 3.73 gears with stock diffs. I am most likely taking the jeeo with me up to CO for college, and I'm deciding between lowering the jeep and getting 33s instead, as well as switching from BFG KM2 to BFG KO2 or other all terrains. I was wondering if any of you have done a switch to a smaller tires and lift, and what the pros and cons were. I don't plan on doing rock crawling, just regular offroading such as going places like Black Bear Pass and roads to get to camping areas, etc. (Not going on the Rubicon and other extreme trails). The majority of the time it will be sitting on campus except for maybe the weekends. So basically more of an overland Jeep than a rock crawler. That's my logic for why i think i should go to a lower lift and smaller tires. Let me know your thoughts!


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[FTI76]

What don't you like about the Jeep "as is"? That might help others with advice.

Putting money into axles, gears, better brakes might make more sense than spending money to lower it.

 

[Ben Butler]

What don't you like about the Jeep "as is"? That might help others with advice.

Putting money into axles, gears, better brakes might make more sense than spending money to lower it.

The mileage is probably the biggest reason. It really sucks. I understand that using all terrains instead of mud terrains will boost it a bit, but it's also the cost difference between a new set of 33s vs 35s that makes a difference. I also should be at a higher gear ratio since im on 35s but that would make mpg even worse. The brakes suck (With 33s i wouldn't need to replace them). The jeep is really high up. Really high. The control arms are probably at 25 degrees due to the tummy tuck (the previous owner installed the lift and tummy tuck). I also don't have the money to buy new axles, regear and get new brakes. I guess it all falls down to money in both the short and long run. I think it makes more sense to go lower. My friends told me would drive much better and put less strain on the engine as well. I guess it's more of a drivability issue than anything.


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[xxdabroxx]

Don't expect to get more that 14-15mpg out of it tops. I would maybe drop to a 32-33" tire if you don't want to regear and leave the lift.

Also, if your speedo is reading incorrectly you will be calculating your mileage incorrectly.

 

[FTI76]

The mileage is probably the biggest reason. It really sucks. I understand that using all terrains instead of mud terrains will boost it a bit, but it's also the cost difference between a new set of 33s vs 35s that makes a difference. I also should be at a higher gear ratio since im on 35s but that would make mpg even worse. The brakes suck (With 33s i wouldn't need to replace them). The jeep is really high up. Really high. The control arms are probably at 25 degrees due to the tummy tuck (the previous owner installed the lift and tummy tuck). I also don't have the money to buy new axles, regear and get new brakes. I guess it all falls down to money in both the short and long run. I think it makes more sense to go lower. My friends told me would drive much better and put less strain on the engine as well. I guess it's more of a drivability issue than anything.


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OK $$ is always a good answer.

3.73 is 100% too high of a gear ratio for 35s. If you re-geared to the proper ratio your gas mileage will improve by keeping the engine in the appropriate RPM range. You could also do a black magic brake pad\Vanco big brake kit to enhance stopping power. Of course these aren't cheap items.

Dropping down to 33s isn't perfect for 3.73s gears but it would be more tolerable than 35s.

 

[Brantley]

I would keep the 35's and add a few things to make it a better performing Jeep on the tires. Geared properly, 35's will get about the same gas mileage as 33's all things being equal other than gear ratio.

I would get a Currie Currectlync steering system, and a Vanco Big Brake Kit.

What engine and transmission do you have now? 3.73 is too high for any combination with 35's, so I'll tell you what you should go with instead if you post your setup.

 

[StG58]

Here's an idea you'll hate.

Store the TJ. Spend the money you would have spent on mods on a beater AWD hatchback or station wagon. Diligently apply yourself to thoroughly understanding the material presented at college. Graduate with high honors. Get a good job. Mod the crap out of your TJ.

Told you you wouldn't like my idea. Done correctly, you're not going to have a lot of time, money or energy to spare for Jeep'n over the next four or five years.

 

[Ben Butler]

Here's an idea you'll hate.

Store the TJ. Spend the money you would have spent on mods on a beater AWD hatchback or station wagon. Diligently apply yourself to thoroughly understanding the material presented at college. Graduate with high honors. Get a good job. Mod the crap out of your TJ.

Told you you wouldn't like my idea. Done correctly, you're not going to have a lot of time, money or energy to spare for Jeep'n over the next four or five years.

That is something I thought about. But if i went that route I'd sell the Jeep and get a WRX or other hatch. Then once I'm out of college buy another Jeep and mod the hell out of it.


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[Ben Butler]

I would keep the 35's and add a few things to make it a better performing Jeep on the tires. Geared properly, 35's will get about the same gas mileage as 33's all things being equal other than gear ratio.

I would get a Currie Currectlync steering system, and a Vanco Big Brake Kit.

What engine and transmission do you have now? 3.73 is too high for any combination with 35's, so I'll tell you what you should go with instead if you post your setup.

I have the 4.0, and the stock AX15 tranny. Currently have Bilstein shocks and Currie springs.


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[FTI76]

Here's an idea you'll hate.

Store the TJ. Spend the money you would have spent on mods on a beater AWD hatchback or station wagon. Diligently apply yourself to thoroughly understanding the material presented at college. Graduate with high honors. Get a good job. Mod the crap out of your TJ.

Told you you wouldn't like my idea. Done correctly, you're not going to have a lot of time, money or energy to spare for Jeep'n over the next four or five years.

Here's an idea you'll hate.

Store the TJ. Spend the money you would have spent on mods on a beater AWD hatchback or station wagon. Diligently apply yourself to thoroughly understanding the material presented at college. Graduate with high honors. Get a good job. Mod the crap out of your TJ.

Told you you wouldn't like my idea. Done correctly, you're not going to have a lot of time, money or energy to spare for Jeep'n over the next four or five years.

Telling the dude to sell his TJ and apply himself to his studies? I don't like this idea at all.

 

[Brantley]

I have the 4.0, and the stock AX15 tranny. Currently have Bilstein shocks and Currie springs.


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@StG58 made a great point to consider.

However, I've been in college for 3 years now, and I live about 2 hours from my parents. I've been daily driving a YJ the entire time (it's in good condition) and it's pretty far from ideal, but it's always gotten me everywhere I've needed it to.

You already have a good suspension, the Dana 44 rear axle, and obviously you're lifted enough to at least clear the tires for what you're doing.

If you have the cash, I would regear to 4.88, get some better steering, and upgrade the brakes. It would cost roughly $2-2.5k depending on which brakes you chose. It's advised to get the Big Brake kit but if you really can't afford it, you can at least benefit from the pad and rotor kit although it isn't ideal for 35's.

You could downgrade to 33's like stated but you still have to buy the 33's (I didn't see you mention getting them for a discount or anything so I'm assuming you have to pay for them). But 3.73 gears would still be far from ideal and you'd still want to get at least the pads and rotors.

Or as already stated, store the Jeep.

They're pretty reliable if maintenance and repairs are kept up so the only thing you lose between having an econo-box vs a Jeep is gas mileage. If you don't mind the gas mileage, get your Jeep ready for the tires you want to run, and have some will-power to not dump money on non-necessary stuff and I think you'll be just fine.

 

[StG58]

Please re-read what I said. I would never recommend selling a TJ. That's wrong on the face of it. I said to store it. Spend the money that he would spend on mods on a beater with a good drive train and respectable gas mileage.

 

[Brantley]

Please re-read what I said. I would never recommend selling a TJ. That's wrong on the face of it. I said to store it. Spend the money that he would spend on mods on a beater with a good drive train and respectable gas mileage.

Oops. I read your post and his post and mixed the two. My apologies.

 

[StG58]

No issues...

 

[Brantley]

Now that I got it straight who said what, I would also say don't sell it considering the advantages it already has. Either fix it for the 35's, or store it and buy a cheap car, saving the upgrades for later.

That is...unless you want to sell it to me for a cheap price.

 

[xxdabroxx]

Now that I got it straight who said what, I would also say don't sell it considering the advantages it already has. Either fix it for the 35's, or store it and buy a cheap car, saving the upgrades for later.

That is...unless you want to sell it to me for a cheap price.

It's obviously go a lot of issues and isn't worth very much. I'd give him a couple grand for it I guess...

 

[StG58]

It's obviously go a lot of issues and isn't worth very much. I'd give him a couple grand for it I guess...

Now don't go taking advantage...that's not the right thing to do here. At least go three grand, tops, and offer to help him look for a beater Subaru Outback. :firedevil:

 

[bobthetj03]

Ok, I'll throw you a curve ball, Sell the lift and the 35's, get some stock springs from CL, buy some Rancho RS5000X shocks, keep the Body lift and buy some 31" all terrains. Done. Gears will be happy, brakes will be happy, mileage and engine performance will improve, body lift and tummy tuck will give you all the clearance you need, and you don't have to get a nose bleed every time you have to climb in the jeep.

 

[xxdabroxx]

We still don't know what he is getting for mileage now or what he hopes to get.

 

[Ben Butler]

I'm getting about 12-15 city. Where it really sucks is Highway since I'm at 2.5k at 70mph since i only have 5 gears. It already has some stuff i planned on buying involving the steering. That would cost me under $2k but i didn't plan on spending alot more. I do like the idea of going to 31s however. Could i keep the Bilsteins and just get smaller springs, or would i need to get different shocks also?


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