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New to Jeeping, need a guiding hand

3K views 44 replies 18 participants last post by  theRU 
#1 ·
Hello All,

I've stalked through the forums for sometime now, but yet to ever make an account to this day. I got a 2dr JK a few months back and I am looking to make my first few modifications. Only problem is, I lack friends with any mechanical knowledge or any off roading experience.

I may be posting in the wrong sections, but figured that posting in the California forums I may be able to get to meet some new people in process and maybe join future runs when I am ready. (I'm in the LA area)

Cutting to chase, I am looking to get my first lift. I wanna run 33 or 35" tires. At the moment I'd like to keep a budget, but I understand there are lots of things for me to get. (Parts wise) now for the real question. I've never done any mechanical work on a car. Is this a project I can attend to by myself with a helping hand or should I spend the extra $ and get a shop to do it?

Thanks all in advance
 
#2 ·
I'd say go for a 2.5" lift either way to minimize the additional modifications you need to do. If this looks appealing, get 35s. If not get 33s.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTW8noDheI5/

I do almost everything myself (and learned how to do so from the internet). Paying someone else essentially doubles the cost and means you won't know what's up when something goes wrong on the trail. You can usually find someone willing to help here/your local jeep club.
 
#3 ·
Basic suspension lifts can be installed without much more than common sense, a friend, and a decent set of tools. And you can buy a set of tools more than up to the task of installing a suspension lift for much less than it'd cost to pay a shop to install it.

Basic suspension lift installations are basically just remove & replace type jobs, and the lift should come with a good set of instructions. Go for it. Also, a good hydraulic floor jack is highly recommended. Like a 2.5-3 ton like you can buy from Harbor Freight Tools. Plus a pair of 6 ton jack stands also sold by HFT. I say 6 ton for height reasons, lower capacity jack stands don't extend up high enough for a Jeep.
 
#4 ·
and for tools that you don't have, check out AutoZone as they loan out tools for up to 90 days. I checked out a torque wrench from them
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the input guys!

I'm currently looking at getting Teraflex 2.5 in lift with shocks.
I'm guessing my next question is, I want to keep the stock rims for the meanwhile. Will 33in tires work? Do I need to get any spacers? Should I replace the trackbar as well or is the stock ok? And last is an exhaust spacer needed??

Also, I'm in the Whittier area.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the input guys!

I'm currently looking at getting Teraflex 2.5 in lift with shocks.
I'm guessing my next question is, I want to keep the stock rims for the meanwhile. Will 33in tires work? Do I need to get any spacers? Should I replace the trackbar as well or is the stock ok? And last is an exhaust spacer needed??

Also, I'm in the Whittier area.
Upon further research I'm gonna just keep stock tracksbars and not add an exhaust spacer.
 
#8 ·
My first JKUR was setup kind of like what you're looking for. Teraflex 2.5" spacer lift with shock extensions (later replaced with proper shocks.)



Later added 35" Pro Comp M/Ts with Spidertrax spacers.



For upgrading with a budget, I was quite happy with the results. It was able to do anything that I wanted it to do.


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#10 ·
If you would like to come up to the desert area, let us know as to when, and we can show you some places that are nice before the real heat starts. In fact there is a run to the Red Rock Cyn State Park area, that is going to see the mines and stuff that is NOT going to be too rough. If we run to Holland Camp, the Sheep springs area, and of course see Bickel camp, the Bonanza Gulch, and perhaps camp over if we find we want to do that. PM me and we can put it together, or at least run the El Mirage and Shadow Mtn area.
 
#11 ·
Unfortunately I can't get a helping hand :(

If anyone would be willing to help me out, I'd be more than happy to provide you with pizza and beer as well as pay you a lil' some some.
I understand that it's no easy task, but I'd prefer to do it myself and learn what's up. Opposed to getting it done by a shop.

PM if you'd be interested in helping
 
#23 ·
I'm on 35s with 4.10... with a lot of heavy armor/skids... and I'm averaging 13.5-14mpg. On hills and certain speeds it has trouble finding the right gear. I'll regear at some point... but might wait until I go to 37s. Decisions, decisions.


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#26 ·
Get a shop to do your re-gear. I haven't had my gears done yet, but I will definitely be going with a shop to purchase & install (so they guarantee their work), it is precise work.

As for the lift, I would recommend doing it yourself. You'll learn so much about your rig that is invaluable. I just finished putting on a leveling kit this past weekend and I spent the past month plus reading this forum and psyching myself out, but once I got started it was a breeze. I can't wait to do a proper lift later. I am mechanically inclined/hobbyist, but an amateur.

Hit me up when you're ready to get on the trails, I am tired of doing stuff alone. For what it is worth, there are plenty of trails a stock wrangler can tackle. I think you'll be surprised as a beginner how fun even the easy stuff is (plus it gives you an idea of what to upgrade).
 
#27 ·
Thanks for all the great info guys! I appreciate all the help!

So yeah it's settled I am gonna be running 35's and just deal with the gearing until I can afford to regear.

Now I just have to figure out what tire size to get before I can start the project!
 
#31 ·
Hello Y'All

Just want to know if there is an app for going off road riding. Mainly which roads are opened to people like us and others that are private property, Don't want to get shot at in the Southwest area.

Thanks


I would stop by your nearest BLM field office and pick up some of their maps. Some are free and others are $4.00 per map. A BLM Rep also pointed me to wilderness.net from which you can download gps data. It is not a BLM sanctioned site, but is a good resource. All Trails is another one that has off-road and hiking trails.


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#40 ·
Do yourself a favor and do NOT do any mods to your jeep! Go out an enjoy your jeep. You will find it works very good and it is very capable. You will learn the kind of trails you enjoy. If and when you find yourself wanting to do harder trails, you can build your jeep to do what the jeep can't do in stock form. Trust me, you will save a ton of money and have a better working jeep then if you bolt a bunch of parts on your jeep now. So many people modify their stock jeeps only to have it work and drive worse then it was in stock form.
 
#42 ·
I agree! Go out and wheel it a bit while it is stock... They are surprisingly capable in stock form! Then after you wheel it a bit you will see if you really need mods or not.

I did a simple 2" suspension lift on mine with some new gears (I had the dreaded 3.07s with a manual), and an Aussie locker while that was being done. With those couple things I can go places that I never imagined my little Jeep going. Even guys on 35s and 37s are surprised and impressed with how my Jeep can handle obstacles.

And another thing on mods... Research research and research more! Any suspension mod will change your handling and if you go too big you'll need to spend a ton to get it driving right again. Just make sure you research everything that goes along with each mod you want to do to be sure you can afford it and don't get into something you can't afford. For example, some people think they can slap a 4" lift and 35s on without a problem when in reality it requires control arms, driveshaft, brakes, gears, and many other things that can cost thousands... That is why I went with 2" of lift... after that the cost for other parts begins to rise.
 
#41 ·
Welcome! and im on the same boat as you bud! I got my jeep back in 2014.. knowing not much about anything... just slowly learning on forums, youtube etc etc. Life got busy ( wife and I had twins ) and things got put on old lol.

I don't have a single "jeep" friend so it just made it harder for myself to kinda get things started lol. But i eventually did.. although my busy schedule had prohibited me from going and using my jeep on the trails until now!

so yea if you ever have any questions or anything or want to do some mild beginner runs let me know! Im pretty local in West Covina.
 
#45 ·
Hi all, i will find myself in the same boat as ApoBYOH. I'm about 2-3 months away from buying my jeep. I love how Jku looks with a set of 35s and a Lift. I was thinking about paying a shop to do the work but you all made a good point of needing to know how to fix something if it goes wrong on the trail. Can someone list out all the tools needed to swap out the suspension? I'm trying to determine how far down the money pit i'm going to be falling. LOL

Anybody know where the best place to buy in OC is? is Huntington Beach Jeep the best? They seem to have the best prices online.
 
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