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Noob Lift Questions/Recommendations

1K views 20 replies 10 participants last post by  coltonjohngray 
#1 ·
I've been researching the forums for a few days now and I'm having a bit of information overload. I'd like to lift my Jeep and get a more aggressive look, but I'm not sure really what direction to go. It's an '05 4.0L 6-speed that will be a 99% highway/mallcrawler. The only "trails" it will see are any dusty/muddy side roads to access hiking/snowboarding areas. So let's, for the sake of argument, just say she's purely a Daily Driver.

With all that said, I'm stuck deciding what I want to do. I want to maintain a stock ride if not a little better (if that's possible). I'd prefer not to go the budget route or install spacers.

I'm leaning towards a 2" BDS lift, but can't decide if I want 33" or 32" tires. I'm assuming if I got 33" tires I'd need a body lift (1.25" JKS possibly?).

What would you all recommend based on that info? I guess the look I'm going for is just a slight inch or two of tire out from under the fenders (is that dictated by backspacing?) and I'd prefer not to have a lot of dead space between the fender wells and the tire (tire fills up area nicely without rubbing).
 
#3 ·
2" - 3" suspension lift kit will get you the 32's Take a look at the Zone lifts that are popular on here or if you have some money then look at the 2.5" OME lift. I have this and I'm glad I did it because it is a very smooth ride on the highway.

Add a 1.25" JKS body lift and you will fit the 33's
 
#4 ·
if it is going to be driven as you described, go for smooth suspensions OME is very smooth, 2.5" will be enough for 32", no need to regear (driven that setup on and offroad for 2 years) you may need wheel spacers depending on your current backspacing
 
#8 ·
I honestly love the look of the 33" tires more, but as my daily driver, is the loss in MPG pretty significant compared to 32"? Is road noise much higher vs 32"?

This is also a pretty dumb question, but if I went with the 33" setup and re-geared for the speedometer, would that also take care of the difference in the odometer reading. I'm assuming it would, but I just want to doublecheck.
 
#12 ·
so if I go 33", I'm assuming a re-gear would be in my best interest.

From the research I've done, it sounds like a 4.56 gear ratio is recommended for 33" tires. I have a 2005 Wrangler X, so I guess I have the Dana 35 axle correct? Will I have to bump up to the D44 to get the 4.56 gearing or can I squeeze it into the D35 package provided it is kept on the road?
 
#14 ·
anything over a 3 inch lift will get you into more problems. drive line angles would be thrown off so you need an sye, custom driveshaft, and with 33's even regearing to 4.56's. my suggestion, 2 inch suspension, 1 in body, and 31's
 
#16 ·
Just to modify a bit:
anything over a 3 inch lift of suspension lift will get you into more problems. drive line angles would be thrown off so you need an sye, custom driveshaft, and with 33's even regearing to 4.56's. my suggestion, 2 inch suspension, 1 in body, and 32's

i have 2" OME SL and 1.25" BL and they clear 33x12.5 (not a 0.5 inch more)
you can definitely run 32s easily
 
#21 ·
the payback after you re gear is going to be a LONG time if you re gear. Most shops will definetely charge way over $1000. I would highly advise against doing it yourself unless you know exactly what you are doing. If done wrong, you'll wish you never did it. everything has to be percise and it takes a while. Me and my co worker completed mine in 10 hours in a professional shop one weekend. It was my first time doing it and his 3rd or 4th. All in all given the time it took (10 hours) and the cost of labor at a shop (mine charges $98.50/hour) plus parts your looking at $1500. You will get better mileage but is it worth the long payback? especially if you want to go with 33's. and you can run 33's and 4.56's on a D35. iv been doing it for about a year and had no problem. just go easy with it.
 
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