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16 and just got a jeep! need help with basic questions!

1K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  TJBJ 
#1 ·
- its a 1997 TJ SE 5 speed manual
- right now its at the shop so i dont know the size of the tires but i do know that i want bigger ones

so my questions for now are...

1. its only a 4 cylinder so what is the max size tires i can get without loosing 5th gear?
2. how much lift should i give it?

any other tips would be greatly appreciated!
 
#2 ·
1. 31x10.5's...still going to notice a drop in power though

2. loaded question - depends on what your budget is and what you're wanting to do. A great budget kit is going to be a zone 4.25" kit. Most people put 33's on that lift but you're going to need a regear to 4.88's with the 4 cyl as you'll definitely lose 5th.

Lift - 500
gears - 1k/1500
tires - 800ish

So, about 3500 is what you'll need to lift it and throw tires on and not lose 5th completely but you're still going to lose it uphill on the hwy.

If you dont have money for gearing, then a simple 2" budget boost with some 31's will be your best bet.

Welcome
 
#3 ·
It all depends on how your going to use it.. my old '01 sport 5sp man. I put a two inch lift with 32" tires. 5th gear only on the hwy. in town fourth was enough. Good luck to you and just know that not all jeeps act the same way from others....
 
#5 ·
throttle body

Get a 4.0 throttle body. It will help with the 4 cyl lack of power.
 
#8 ·
17 here and I'm also in the process of lifting my jeep, but I have the 4L. So far I've got about 800 in the lift (Zone 4.25) and I added an adjustable trackbar from metal cloak. I'll be going up to 33s in a month or two with the lift so that'll be about 1500 with tires and rims. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a tire carrier or tire carrier/bumper at the same time I do the lift haven't fully decided yet. The list of mods is never ending!
 
#9 ·
If I were 16/17 with a Jeep I would read read read and save save save.
Jeeps are extremely capable stock so wheel and learn your jeep while you save up money for the parts you figure out you need.

One of the biggest things to consider is what is you use for the jeep and what is your end goal...trail,mud,rock,looks etc. <all of those will use lifts and wheels etc but it may vary on which brand,height,etc depending on what your use is.

Good luck and congrats.
 
#10 ·
I'm 17 and have had my jeep for a year and a half. Haven't lifted it or gotten bigger tires yet. But I have come far from where I started. I will hopefully be either getting a new jeep or lifting mine by summer. It's pretty bad with rust so I'm undecided yet. But here's a pic of when I first got it and what it is now.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Jeep Transport
 
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