I'm looking for some advice on the best route to lift my new JK. I just bought an 07 Sahara 4 Door (I'm ashamed to say in this forum 2wd). I'm not really interested in doing any type of major 4wd driving but do like the look of the lifted jeep. Calling around to some specialty shops for advice I can't tell if I'm getting good advice or "sales" advice so any help here is appreciated.

I'm looking for about a 2.5 or 3" lift. I've been advice to buy either the Teraflex 2.5" BB or the Full Traction 3" Economy lift with either the hydraulic or mono tube shocks.

I was told I could do the 2.5 BB with 35" tires but then another guy told me that without an additional 1" body lift the 35's will rub. Since I'm not really interested in the 1" body lift he advised 33's but then told me with a BB I'll never get the alignment totally correct.

They guy that's recommending the 3" Full Traction lift recommends it over the BB because with the BB you change the center of gravity on the springs and will have a pretty big impact on the way the vehicle handles. He also said with the 3" lift I could run 33's or 35's no problem.

Finally, one last request. The Jeep came with the 18" wheels from the dealer so I think the overall tires on it now are around the 31" mark. Can anyone tell me if there is a significant difference in 33's vs the 31's already on it and also, if I do upgrade to new tires and wheels would you recommend 16", 17" or 18" wheels?

Thanks for the help,

Paul
The Jeep Rookie

 

lots of questions...

First off theres nothing wrong with a 2wd jeep. A jeeps a jeep..

What size of tire do you want to run? You can clear 33's stock.

I'm running a 3" and clear 35's easily. A 3" lift and 33's will look silly.

There is a difference between 31's and 33's. If your not wheeling, You dont really need to worry about rubbing at flex. So why not just keep the stock suspension and run 33's.


If you do change rims/tires. Rims are personal choice. Whatever you like will work... Just remember the bigger the rim. the more you'll spend on tires.

 

Welcome to the site...

 

Pigina,

Can he get 35's under the FT budget boost? or does he NEED the 3" lift to make them fit? (and not rub of course) I've wondered this question myself.
thanks

 

I really dont know. I suppose it would fit..

I had 35's on my JK stock. It was very tight of course

It just depends on how much its going to rub. I would guess you would have to remove the front airdam. I dont know the correct answer. I dont know where the rear tires are going to hit on the fenderwell corner.

So take that for what its worth.

Hopefully someone will chime in... that knows for sure.

 

This is a FT 2" with 35s



If you dont plan on offraoding then I think a 2" or 2.5" with 35s would be fine. Tho under articulation it might rub.

 

Thanks for the 2wd moral support

I guess I really need to figure out what look I'm going for. If 33's look pretty rediculous under a 3" lift I'd hate to buy 33's and keep the original suspension only to later realize I do in fact want the 3" lift.

Does any one have an answer to the center of gravity and alignment concern on a budget boost kit?

 

TEV also has pictures of his JK with 33" tires (which look great with the 2" BB)! Here's the thread... https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-show-tell-33/2dr-2-lift-33s-6221/

 

"Does any one have an answer to the center of gravity and alignment concern on a budget boost kit?[/QUOTE]"

The center of gravity goes up with any type of lift, spacer, spring or tire diameter increase. If he said the center of gravity of the springs themselves would change it was just a sales guy that doesn't understand.

The spacer lifts have a disadvantage in that you are subject to the spring rate the JK comes with. That can be good for some folks and maybe a good choice for your planned use. Jeep has something like 21-23 different spring part numbers for the JKs. Many people don't realize it but they all have a different spring rate from left to right on the front. From the factory the JKs are raked in the front, especially the first 1,000 units. Jeep made an adjustment after the first run and brought the front up. Anyway the spacer kits are great for a simple lift to get a larger tire on or get a bit more clearance over center but the down side is if your planning on adding a winch and or heavy duty bumpers the spring rate will give up a good bit of the lift gain.

So then the advantage of a 3" spring lift will be the added spring rate (10-20%) which will control body roll better in climbing and side hill situations. Also a spring lift tends to get a different development or design focus, it’s a bigger investment and it’s assumed that the user will work it much harder. I work for Teraflex and our 3" has a loaded lift of 3.5" of actual lift with a winch and larger steel bumpers and a full size 35-37" spare. So that’s a full inch taller than our spacer kit. After 2.5” of lift the negative effects are expediential.

On the alignment issue with a spacer lift, you will not need a full alignment or at least it would be unusual. You will want to watch the steering wheel location. If the wheel is not centered when you’re done you will want to center it because it has a sensor that’s tied into the electronic stability system. If you’re off center enough to trigger that sensor you'll get warning lights in the dash and drivability problems.

I hope this helps.

 

Thanks, that was very helpful. I ordered the Teraflex BB this evening so hopefully I won't run into any steering issues.