Looking for build advice

[BrianJ]

I’m just starting my first TJ build on a pretty basic 04 X. I live in a big city and need the Jeep to run well at highway speeds, but also retain some reasonable off-road performance for weekend trips. The Jeep will likely go to my son in a few years when he reaches driving age so on-road drivability is especially important. I have a shop lined up that is going to regear, upgrade my rear axle to a super 35, and instal trutracs front and rear. I plan to install a 2” OME lift My questions are:

Is it worth upgrading my front axles as well?
31” or 32” tires?
Best gear ratio?
How much backspacing?
Any other essential upgrades to improve handing?

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Rob5589]

I’m just starting my first TJ build on a pretty basic 04 X. I live in a big city and need the Jeep to run well at highway speeds, but also retain some reasonable off-road performance for weekend trips. The Jeep will likely go to my son in a few years when he reaches driving age so on-road drivability is especially important. I have a shop lined up that is going to regear, upgrade my rear axle to a super 35, and instal trutracs front and rear. I plan to install a 2” OME lift My questions are:

Is it worth upgrading my front axles as well?
31” or 32” tires?
Best gear ratio?
How much backspacing?
Any other essential upgrades to improve handing?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Need to know which trans you have to recommend a gear ratio.
You will be fine on the stock front axles unless you plan on some heavy off roading and/or bigger tires someday. A good to do would be some 5-760x u joints in the axles.
2" lift is great with 31's, 32's will fit but may rub a little off road.
4.5-3.75" backspacing works, depending on how much you want the tire to sit beyond the flare.

 

[BrianJ]

Need to know which trans you have to recommend a gear ratio.
You will be fine on the stock front axles unless you plan on some heavy off roading and/or bigger tires someday. A good to do would be some 5-760x u joints in the axles.
2" lift is great with 31's, 32's will fit but may rub a little off road.
4.5-3.75" backspacing works, depending on how much you want the tire to sit beyond the flare.

It’s a 5 speed manual.

 

[JMT]

X2 to Rob.

A Currie Antirock might improve handling on and off-road.

 

[Rob5589]

It’s a 5 speed manual.

The common rec's: 4.10 for 31, 4.56 for 32/33. Personally I would do 4.56, not too low for 31's and the usual MO is to eventually go larger tire so you'd be set for 33's.

 

[Jeepaholic]

X2 to Rob.

A Currie Antirock might improve handling on and off-road.

I would not let my kid drive a jeep with a currie anti rock. A lot of ppl say "they got used to it, handles fine," I recently drive a jeep with it front and rear, it was terrible. Sure, improved offroad, on road, might as well not had a sway bar, not for an inexperienced driver. I'm not saying it doesn't work offroad, but I wouldn't trust a kid on road with it...