I was hoping someone could help me with a few questions.

I have been researching a lift for my 2012 Wrangler 2dr Arctic Edition. I am leaning towards the Teraflex 2.5" Coil lift w/shocks. I'd like to run 35" tires in the future, but for the time being I plan on running the stock BF Goodrich MT tires w/black Moab wheels. I currently have a Garvin Adventure Rack which adds some weight. I plan on adding a front bumper/winch and a rear bumper in the near future.

With all this added weight I was thinking about adding a Teraflex 1" coil spacer to the front so that I don't loose too much of the height from the 2.5" coil lift. Would this be ok? Would it mess with the geometry much? One of the reasons I am going with the 2.5" lift is that it won't mess with the geometry to the point that it requires additional mods.

My other question is my current Moab wheels are 5x5 bolt pattern w/4.7" backspacing. It is recommended that wheel spacers are used if running stock wheels with 2.5" lift to prevent rubbing. However, most of the stock wheels have a 6" backspacing. Can I get away with running my stock Moab wheels & LT255/75R17 w/out the spacers? What about when I upgrade to 35" tires?

Thanks for the help!

 

It's hard to say a 1" spring spacer on top of a 2.5" coil lift will make your rig level, or make it nose high. Lifts effect each rig differently, and added variables of how much weight you place in the back and how heavy your future bumpers will be will change your pitch. May be best to go without spring spacer for now and see how your rig sits after the lift, bumpers and winch, then see if you need it. As for wheel spacers: you need 4.5" backspace to clear rear sway bars once lifted. If memory serves, the stock wheels have ~6" backspace. Yes, you need wheel spacers with stock wheels. Make sure to remove the lock washers on all the studs when using wheel spacers or with after market wheels. Also the trade off for a more capable rig is loss in mpg, so be ready for the hit.

 

You will rub for sure with 35's. It is the width that will cause an issue, I was rubbing with 33's. Get some good wheel adapters and sell them when you get wheels with proper backspacing

 

Stock wheels have 6" of back spacing. You need 4.5" so you will need 1.5 spacers. As already said sag is different on each rig differently. I have a 2.5" TF coil with bumper and winch and needed to add a .75" spacer to level out the front end.

Also may as well save up for 35's and do the lift and everything at the same time. No need really for a 2.5 with stock wheels and tires.

 

The wheels I currently run have a 4.7" backspacing. That's pretty close to 4.5". You think I'll rub?

 

Can you post a picture from the front straight down towards the back with the wheel and fender in frame to see how flush your tires are to the fender? Stock Moabs, Gladiators, Rubies, Spoke, all had 6" backspace from factory. The stock tires on stock rims will sit about +1" inside of the fenders. You may have aftermarket Moab Style wheels with 4.7" backspace. If you do rub on your front control arms at full turn, just adjust your steer stops.

 

Get a RK 2.5 flex system and call it a day, it is going to make the stock tires look a small though. Give a shout to the guys at northridge they usually having pretty good sales.

 

Here is the picture you requested. Looks like they sit just inside the fender.

 

If you had 4.5" backspaces wheels, the tires would sit flush with your fenders. This shot from a few years ago is with stock 18" Gladiators and 1.5" wheel spacers, bringing backspace to ~4.5."