New member with build questions

[Engine]

Hello Everyone,

New here and getting more excited about finally starting to build my TJ a bit and do some real off-roading. I have a '99 with a good frame, some rocker rust(I can see daylight on the passenger side), and 240k on the 2.5. Everything is stock except for some headlights(Morimoto), shocks(Bilstein), and 31's. It was my daily driver for about 6 years. Right now I'm looking at getting 33's under it. To do that I ordered a full Metal Cloak 6" arched system. My thought was I can clean up the rust on the rockers with new steel and some paint, then cover it with the rocker rail. I did find on here that I probably won't be able to get 33's under it with just the new fenders. As much as I don't want to put a body lift in it, I want the 33's more. I am looking at putting a 1.25" JKS body lift in it to get the last bit of clearance I need. I am looking for some feedback and ideas for a few things.

Motor Lift - What is better for a motor lift, the JKS block, a new mount from Brown Dog, or something I don't know about? I am thinking the full mount.

Tires - I drive on the road a fair amount in the summer but still want something trail capable. I also live in MN so they will see snow as well. 15x8 rims. Any recommendations for 33x12.5x15 tires?

Back spacing - Not sure if I will need spacers or not for the tires I want to put on. I'll do some searching on here for that but if anyone knows of a thread that has it, I would be grateful.

Air Down/Up - I haven't looked much on the site for this yet, but I have seen a fair number of threads where it is mentioned. Knowing what would be a good direction to go for equipment, or a thread to look at for this, would be very helpful.

I really just want to get out there and enjoy the trails so if any of this looks unnecessary, please let me know.

Thank you

 

[tnjeepguy]

Stay with 31x10.5x15 you will be happier. Maybe an AT in that size and spacers if rubbing much. Body lift is fine. D

My 99 has 31's and have been all over CO and some Moab and east too. You will be surprised at where a stock Jeep will go. Use it on trails and see what you need before doing much. A winch is the first add on if going by yourself at all. Warn only please.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

If your current motor mounts are in good condition I'd go for spacers. If they're not I'd go for the Bombproof motor mounts from Mountain Offroad Enterprises. I've had Currie, Brown Dog, and Bombproof mounts and, by far, the Bombproof mounts were the strongest and best.

If you go for 33's, you'll need to regear your axles to 4.88 so your 2.5 engine can turn them. You'll see a lot of recommendations for 4.56 for 33's but that is for the larger 4.0 engine.

For 33x12.50 tires you'll need 4" optimally for backspacing though 3.75" works fine too. Go for a 15x8 wheel as you said you'd go for, don't get talked into a 15x10.

For your icy roads I'd go with tires with as much siping as you can find. Siping, which is slits that are cut (not molded) into the tread blocks, really help traction on slick roads. The more siping the better where ice or slick surfaces are concerned. Don't confuse the thicker molded kerfs for sipes, they aren't nearly as good for slick conditions as sipes are.

Good luck with it all and a big welcome to WTF!

 

[JMT]

Hello Everyone,

New here and getting more excited about finally starting to build my TJ a bit and do some real off-roading. I have a '99 with a good frame, some rocker rust(I can see daylight on the passenger side), and 240k on the 2.5. Everything is stock except for some headlights(Morimoto), shocks(Bilstein), and 31's. It was my daily driver for about 6 years. Right now I'm looking at getting 33's under it. To do that I ordered a full Metal Cloak 6" arched system. My thought was I can clean up the rust on the rockers with new steel and some paint, then cover it with the rocker rail. I did find on here that I probably won't be able to get 33's under it with just the new fenders. As much as I don't want to put a body lift in it, I want the 33's more. I am looking at putting a 1.25" JKS body lift in it to get the last bit of clearance I need. I am looking for some feedback and ideas for a few things.

Motor Lift - What is better for a motor lift, the JKS block, a new mount from Brown Dog, or something I don't know about? I am thinking the full mount.

Tires - I drive on the road a fair amount in the summer but still want something trail capable. I also live in MN so they will see snow as well. 15x8 rims. Any recommendations for 33x12.5x15 tires?

Back spacing - Not sure if I will need spacers or not for the tires I want to put on. I'll do some searching on here for that but if anyone knows of a thread that has it, I would be grateful.

Air Down/Up - I haven't looked much on the site for this yet, but I have seen a fair number of threads where it is mentioned. Knowing what would be a good direction to go for equipment, or a thread to look at for this, would be very helpful.

I really just want to get out there and enjoy the trails so if any of this looks unnecessary, please let me know.

Thank you

- you need at least 3” of lift for 33’s
- ditch the JKS body lift idea. They’re squishy and give uneven body. Go with an aluminum puck
- a block is good for mml bc it uses the stock motor mounts with their extensive rubber for vibration damping
- ideally 4” backspacing for that tire
- airing down and up is good idea

 

[Engine]

If your current motor mounts are in good condition I'd go for spacers. If they're not I'd go for the Bombproof motor mounts from Mountain Offroad Enterprises. I've had Currie, Brown Dog, and Bombproof mounts and, by far, the Bombproof mounts were the strongest and best.

If you go for 33's, you'll need to regear your axles to 4.88 so your 2.5 engine can turn them. You'll see a lot of recommendations for 4.56 for 33's but that is for the larger 4.0 engine.

For 33x12.50 tires you'll need 4" optimally for backspacing though 3.75" works fine too. Go for a 15x8 wheel as you said you'd go for, don't get talked into a 15x10.

For your icy roads I'd go with tires with as much siping as you can find. Siping, which is slits that are cut (not molded) into the tread blocks, really help traction on slick roads. The more siping the better where ice or slick surfaces are concerned. Don't confuse the thicker molded kerfs for sipes, they aren't nearly as good for slick conditions as sipes are.

Good luck with it all and a big welcome to WTF!

Gears... Thank you, I missed that.

 

[Engine]

- you need at least 3” of lift for 33’s
- ditch the JKS body lift idea. They’re squishy and give uneven body. Go with an aluminum puck
- a block is good for mml bc it uses the stock motor mounts with their extensive rubber for vibration damping
- ideally 4” backspacing for that tire
- airing down and up is good idea

Thanks for catching the wrong lift. I was looking for an aluminum one that I've seen mentioned here and thought it was the JKS. Should have read the material on their website.

 

[JMT]

Thanks for catching the wrong lift. I was looking for an aluminum one that I've seen mentioned here and thought it was the JKS. Should have read the material on their website.

Savvy has a 1.25”
Currie has a 1”
MORE has a 1”

 

[Akitadog]

I have the M.O.R.E. bombproof mounts, really like them. They have more cushioning rubber for better isolation.
Oh, had Jks lift blocks could not get the bolts to torque down. after removing them for Savvy alum blocks, found out they were only giving about 3/4" of lift... Junk!
Even solid Delrin would be better than the squishy material they use.