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What would you do in my situation?

3K views 42 replies 24 participants last post by  Phillip_H 
#1 ·
I’ve got a 2013 2-door JK with BFG 32” all-terrains and 3.21 gears. This Jeep is my daily driver (about 30-40 city miles on an average day). I enjoy wheeling, but I don’t get as many opportunities as I’d like, and my stock Jeep is kind of limited. I just bought a 3.5” lift (I haven’t installed it yet) and my plan is to go up to 35” tires. I don’t want the lift to look stupid with my current 32” BFG tires.

I can afford to get some used 35” tires right now, but I’m afraid that I will hate driving it on those 3.21 gears. I‘m not excited about waiting to lift until I have tires and can afford to re-gear, but if that’s what I need to do I can wait.

Which of these options would you choose?

A) wait to lift until I can afford tires and re-gearing
B) do the lift right now because waiting sucks
C) do the lift and tires ASAP and deal with the poor performance until I can afford to re-gear
D) some other option that I haven’t considered

Thanks!
 
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#3 ·
I would do A, or B. I am not that concerned with how people think our Jeep looks. As long as the wife and I are happy with it, I don't really care about other peoples opinions.
What I would not do is run 35" tires with 3.21 gears. But that is because I don't like our Jeep being slow and gutless.
But to each their own.
 
#4 ·
Being a daily driver in the city... I think you would be fine to do the lift and get 35" tires and do the re-gear later. ONLY reason I say that:

I have the same Jeep with a 2.5 inch lift and 35" tires. I plan to re-gear this fall but the only reason is that on the HWY for 3 hours I would like it to shift into "overdrive" and stay there vs. downshifting because I am on a 1 degree incline.

Personally, around town and on the beach it has not hesitated in providing the power I am fine with.
 
#7 ·
Having been down this route twice now I vote A. You'll save yourself some money by waiting and doing it right the first time. Buy Once, Cry Once.
 
#8 ·
I couldn’t imagine 35s with 3.21 gears. I have 33s and couldn’t take it. My Jeep is at the shop getting regeared now.

I don’t think the lift will look bad at all with 32” tires. I am running 33s with basically 2.5” of lift (RockKrawler 1.5” springs) and flat fenders. I get nothing but compliments. I would definitely save for gears!!!!!!!!


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#10 ·
This wont be popular but... This whole lemming action of regearing is laughable. It really is. IMO as a DD its an illogical waste of money. Will you get easier acceleration light to light? Sure. Will it make it feel more powerful? Sure. Will it tow better? Sure. Will it offroad/overland/snow/crawl better? Sure. But he is driving 30+ miles a day and cant afford new tires.

Save your money and buy new tires, then do your lift/tires/alignment together. If you cant afford new tires, I am guessing you will use OEM wheels? Gonna need spacers. I'm guessing you bought a budget lift? Will drivability suffer? Probably and then you'll throw money at that.

Take your time. Find a second job to fund your passion. I know I did when I was making $110k a year but wanted to build a 240mph streetbike to run at Bonneville. Truck, trailer, bike, custom intercooled turbo kit, lots of tires, tools, spares, dyno time, custom fab parts, crew, hotels, food, fuel, new wife... I did, debt free and we only ran 220mph. Gotta pay to play.

Dont let your Jeep define you. Let it be a fun outlet that you can afford in time.
 
#12 ·
...and cant afford new tires.

Save your money and buy new tires, then do your lift/tires/alignment together. If you cant afford new tires, I am guessing you will use OEM wheels? Gonna need spacers. I'm guessing you bought a budget lift? Will drivability suffer? Probably and then you'll throw money at that.
Lots of assumption and condescension going on in this comment.

I have pro comp 69 17x9 wheels and I bought a rock krawler 3.5 mid arm suspension lift with bilstein shocks.

As far as not being able to afford new tires, I would prefer to find some used tires with 70-80% life and pay half of retail. I’m not a commuter, so I don’t feel the need to buy brand new tires.
 
#14 ·
reason being. I have 35" tires with a 2.5 lift or so...and have not regeared yet...and may not.

It is NOT my daily driver. I have newer loaded up grand Cherokee and Mercedes. I choose to drive my Wrangler almost any chance I get. typically the times I don't is because I have a part pulled off and it is in my garage.

The wrangler is just more fun to drive and if you do the lift you will get the tires next.
 
#17 ·
I regeared to 4.88s but I would assume there are a lot more people running 35s on 3.21s with no intentions or no knowledge of regearing. Hell I know several of them that even after test driving my Jeep they still haven’t regeared (yes they were shocked how much better mine drove). If you want a lift and 35s I say do it knowing it’s gonna be dog and start planning your regear.


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#18 ·
I will hold my opinion until you tell what lift you bought. Going up to 3.5 inches is a little more costly than staying at 2.5 inches. Unless it is a very complete kit you can run into all types of costly expenses. And 3.5 inches on a 2 door is really asking for 37's not 35's.
 
#21 ·
I say wait and do more research on the costs of lifting 3.5”. iirc the cost is higher when you lift more than 2.5”. This may delay funds for tires and gears.

I do agree that if you go up to 35s you will not be happy with the performance on or off-road. I do not agree with those who say it is fine in 4low with stock gears. Crawling is one place where proper gearing is amazing and really shines. The other is on the highway.
 
#24 ·
The stock tires don't look bad at all. I think that I will plan to do the lift (probably next weekend), and see how it goes from there.

I think that I will probably be able to tolerate the 32s for a while, but if I absolutely hate how it looks, then I will save up for 35s, and then save up for regearing.

After looking into used tires, it sounds like a risky option. I know that some people have had good luck, but you never know with some of these tire resellers. I wouldn't be opposed to buying from an individual if everything looks good, but I will probably end up with a new set of Falken Wildpeaks. I would prefer some Nitto Ridge Grapplers, but they are quite a bit more expensive.

As far as the gearing, I know that I will take a performance hit, but I think that I'll be able to tolerate it for a few months while I save up for the new gears.
 
#25 ·
I'd wait. 3.21 with 35s will suck. I have 4.10s and it is good on flat land but it does suck at altitude (8K-11K) and going up steep inclines. I'll prob leave it as-is though but the Rubi t-case ratio does make the offroading quite alright. I don't know where you live but here in Colorado, you could practically not pay me to run 3.21s with 35s. Your tolerance may differ but that is my experience.
 
#26 ·
What axles are you running? 30/35?
 
#28 ·
I would do the regear first and worry about tires and lift later. My 2011 2 door is 9 years old. I regeared and locked it when new with 4.88 gears. It is the 3.8 with 4 speed auto. I did add about 1.5 inch pucks to the front to level it out. Now with 42K on it I’m still on the original 32 inch rubber and wheels. I will never lift it or go any bigger on tires. It is geared about perfect, and would be alright with 33 inch rubber, but probably never happen. Don’t really care for lifted rigs. Or Big tires.
 
#30 ·
Keep the tires you have and do the regear. Run those tires till the're shot, then install the lift and get the larger tires. Eitherway your mileage is going to suck.
 
#36 ·
I ran 35s on a 4 door with 3.21s for over a year. I live in FL which is pretty flat and didn't have many issues. It wasn't the fastest thing out there but it was tolerable. I say do it!
 
#37 ·
Being at sea level also makes a big difference.
 
#39 ·
3.5" on 35's + 2 door will already look a little goofy.

Get a good 2.5" kit and wait for tires and regear at the same time.
 
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