Lift kit for 33's
05-31-2011, 08:31 PM
#1
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lift kit for 33's
Hey everyone, Classic question I guess...
I recently purchased my first Jeep, an NGP 2011 JK Unlimited Sport. I would like to upgrade to 33's but after reading tons of posts, I am stumped on the best way to go to clear them.
I plan to drive 95% on road and some off-road once in a while on the weekends. I mostly want to get a more aggressive look. I am also looking at XD Monsters for wheels and need to determine the proper offset/backspacing.
Should i get a Teraflex leveling kit? BDS 2"? The local lift shop says BDS is the best. It seems tons of people on JK-Forum run the Teraflex though. Is there a better choice? Thanks in advance for your opinions.
I recently purchased my first Jeep, an NGP 2011 JK Unlimited Sport. I would like to upgrade to 33's but after reading tons of posts, I am stumped on the best way to go to clear them.
I plan to drive 95% on road and some off-road once in a while on the weekends. I mostly want to get a more aggressive look. I am also looking at XD Monsters for wheels and need to determine the proper offset/backspacing.
Should i get a Teraflex leveling kit? BDS 2"? The local lift shop says BDS is the best. It seems tons of people on JK-Forum run the Teraflex though. Is there a better choice? Thanks in advance for your opinions.
05-31-2011, 08:59 PM
#2
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: near Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
You can absolutely run 33s with no rubbing, either when cornering or at full flex. At least with these skinny tires. Stock suspension, but wheels with 4.75" backspacing.
The problem is that most people just want cool looking tires, which to them is wide. That's fine, but then you will need spacers or wheels with around 4.5" of backspacing, depending on just how wide those tires are. Under full flex a wide tire may not fit into the fender. A small lift or leveling kit can fix that, or you can cut your fenders and keep your stock height.
The problem is that most people just want cool looking tires, which to them is wide. That's fine, but then you will need spacers or wheels with around 4.5" of backspacing, depending on just how wide those tires are. Under full flex a wide tire may not fit into the fender. A small lift or leveling kit can fix that, or you can cut your fenders and keep your stock height.
05-31-2011, 09:15 PM
#3
JK Freak
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ran the TF budget boost with shock extensions for a year and a half. That worked fine for me and my 285/70/17 BFG MT KM2. Replaced it with an OME standard spring suspension, as I had run that on my previously owned TJ and was very happy with it.
The OME system on my JK is great. The ride is very good on the road, and it is more than up to the off roading I do. Take a good look at OME. You'd probably want to go up to the next higher spring rate since you have an unlimited, but I would recommend them highly. Give David @ Northridge a call. Let him know what you're trying to accomplish, he will give you lots of good advice.
The OME system on my JK is great. The ride is very good on the road, and it is more than up to the off roading I do. Take a good look at OME. You'd probably want to go up to the next higher spring rate since you have an unlimited, but I would recommend them highly. Give David @ Northridge a call. Let him know what you're trying to accomplish, he will give you lots of good advice.
06-01-2011, 04:23 AM
#4
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Maine
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I ran the Teraflex leveling kit with 33's on a 2-door, same reasons as you - wanted *slightly* aggressive look yet still enough performance for 90% daily driving and mild weekend wheeling. With appropriate backspacing on the rims (I think mine were 4.5"), no rubbing, no problems, great mild aggressive look. At least for my tire (Dick Cepek FC II, 285/75r16, which is 11.5" wide). For the price and ease of installation, I don't think you can beat it (TF kit about $130, plus rims and tires), and no need to adjust anything other than the computer to compensate for the new tire size (I used AEV ProCal about $150). You can even get away without recentering your steering wheel or adjusting the track bar. I'll be glad to post a photo later today to this thread. Hit me up with more questions if you got them and I'll be glad to help, sounds like we were going for a similar goal. In my case I had 3.21's with the 33's on a 6-speed. Not recommended, it was a slug. Went to 32's and it did mostly okay but not great. In my experience 32's really need to be on a 4.10 (on a 6-speed), minimum... ideally 4.56 for daily driving. For 33's I would aim for 4.88. But if you don't want to / can't afford to regear right now, 33's will get by on a 4.10, 6-speed.
Is your ride an auto or 6-speed? What axle gear ratio?
If you go to 33's, especially on an auto, it might run a little sluggish, especially if you have anything less (lower number) that 4.10 gears. Check the gear charts (make sure you're looking at right one, auto vs manual), hit me up if you've got questions.... been there, doing that!
Is your ride an auto or 6-speed? What axle gear ratio?
If you go to 33's, especially on an auto, it might run a little sluggish, especially if you have anything less (lower number) that 4.10 gears. Check the gear charts (make sure you're looking at right one, auto vs manual), hit me up if you've got questions.... been there, doing that!
Last edited by mostlystock; 06-01-2011 at 04:35 AM. Reason: added vehicle details
06-01-2011, 06:19 AM
#6
JK Freak
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Clearfield, Utah
Posts: 739
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 2011 Rubi Unlimited, and I installed the Teraflex coil and shock lift, 2.5", and run 33's with no issues at all. Ride is still great, and no problems with clearance off road.
06-01-2011, 06:42 AM
#7
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I ran the Teraflex leveling kit with 33's on a 2-door, same reasons as you - wanted *slightly* aggressive look yet still enough performance for 90% daily driving and mild weekend wheeling. With appropriate backspacing on the rims (I think mine were 4.5"), no rubbing, no problems, great mild aggressive look. At least for my tire (Dick Cepek FC II, 285/75r16, which is 11.5" wide). For the price and ease of installation, I don't think you can beat it (TF kit about $130, plus rims and tires), and no need to adjust anything other than the computer to compensate for the new tire size (I used AEV ProCal about $150). You can even get away without recentering your steering wheel or adjusting the track bar. I'll be glad to post a photo later today to this thread. Hit me up with more questions if you got them and I'll be glad to help, sounds like we were going for a similar goal. In my case I had 3.21's with the 33's on a 6-speed. Not recommended, it was a slug. Went to 32's and it did mostly okay but not great. In my experience 32's really need to be on a 4.10 (on a 6-speed), minimum... ideally 4.56 for daily driving. For 33's I would aim for 4.88. But if you don't want to / can't afford to regear right now, 33's will get by on a 4.10, 6-speed.
Is your ride an auto or 6-speed? What axle gear ratio?
If you go to 33's, especially on an auto, it might run a little sluggish, especially if you have anything less (lower number) that 4.10 gears. Check the gear charts (make sure you're looking at right one, auto vs manual), hit me up if you've got questions.... been there, doing that!
Is your ride an auto or 6-speed? What axle gear ratio?
If you go to 33's, especially on an auto, it might run a little sluggish, especially if you have anything less (lower number) that 4.10 gears. Check the gear charts (make sure you're looking at right one, auto vs manual), hit me up if you've got questions.... been there, doing that!