Hey Jeepers....I am new to the forums, and a first time jeep owner. If you would be willing...I had a question.

Couple questions that I have. Originally from south Texas...have always drove pickups....always with lifts. I can get around a vehicle pretty well, but not a home expert by any means. This is my first Jeep and I just wanted to get some opinions if you are willing...

First...I bought a 2006 Yellow Wrangler X this weekend. Picking her up on Saturday in Alabama. It has a 6" Skyjacker lift with 33" Tires. There is probably 5-6k in adds...but outside of lift, wheels, tires, spare, bumpers, and some chrome, the rest is interior like seat cover, stereos, speakers etc...

The guy I bought it from added a 36" spare with matching wheel and was going to put 36" tires around before he decided to sell. My question is with Stock steering and axles...can a Wrangler X handle the 36" tires? I will very rarely do any major off roading...but would like to one day. Probably mostly mud if anything now. Those seem like awfully big tires for a 6cyl jeep. I know Jeeps are built tough...but my question is how much.

I am assuming 33" are just fine. I have some other questions...so I will wait to ask so I dont bombard ya'll!

Thanks for the time!

First of all welcome to Wrangler Forum.

Second, the 36" tires greatly depend on a couple of factors. What rear axle does the Jeep have? And second, what gear ratio do the axles have?

If it has a Dana35 in the rear, the 33's are probably pushing it strength wise. If it has a Dana44, the 36's will probably be ok on the road for some time, but off road it may need some beefing up. The steering is ok for street use, but something stronger will definitely be needed for off road, you'll probably bend it with the 33's even depending on terrain.

Not sure on either of those. They are stock....if that helps. I figured there were maybe a couple gear ratios for stock Wranglers...but not aware if there is different Axles choices. i know the Rubicons come with stronger axles...but that is the extent of my knowledge. It will be next week until I know for sure.

The Dana44 rear was an option for every TJ.

The biggest gripe would be gears. Is it an auto or stick? If the ratios are 3.73's you might be able to live with it and the 36's for a while, but if they are 3.07's or 3.55's you can say forget it and stick with the 33" tires for a while.

It is a 6-Speed Stick. But not sure on the gears. I will have to wait until next sunday or monday to let you know. If you think you can tell what axle by looking at it....here is the ebay link to it. There is a good picture of the front...but not really the back.

Jeep : Wrangler : eBay Motors (item 380217823058 end time Mar-29-10 12:32:57 PDT)

Thanks so much

^ That would be a Dana 35. The circular diff cover gives it away. I'd keep the 33's... they are more than enough tire for a lot of people with Wranglers.

The front is a Dana 30, standard on all TJ's... except Rubicons.

I'm agree with AzTJ. The 33's would be the best for your current set up.
Welcome to the forum!

Great I appreciate the info guys. The next question is what is next to run 35s. I havent had smaller than a 35 for 8 years.....ran 40s on my 08 F350 with a 10 inch lift. I want to be able to run bigger...but not excessively huge. 35 would be the max.

it would be a couple months down the road, but thinking about it now of course. Would I need two new axles, different gears and steering components?

If I am not really using it for rock climbing and such, could I just get away with upgraded gears and/or steering components?

I would think you would need some beefier axles maybe dana 44's or an 8.8 ford rear out back with the proper gear ratios.

for 6 cylinder I think you want 5.13 or 4.88, i run 4.56 and thats with 33's.

That 5-6k he claims, was probably the skyjacker lift and labor, nothing else on there is anything too expensive, he cheaped out with Smittybilt, he got useless chrome, and nerf bars. Well I dont know how you Texans do it,but it actually might be fine with you, just in off-road perspective not really. As for 40's or such, youll probably want D60s, extended break lines, Vanco Brakes, new CV rear Driveshaft, and life insurance. It'll end up costing you 4-6k

to run 35s even on mild trails I would have at least a dana 44 rear, or upgrade to a super 35. Gear wise 4.56 or lower for 35's. The front steering should be beefed up, currie makes a nice setup for that. Also it appear that you do not have a SYE kit on the t-case.. if that is a 6" spring lift I would look into getting one as even with a t-case drop kit that drive shaft may be at the wrong position. Also not sure if you adjustable control arms but that is also something to thing about with that much lift.

Not looking for 40s on the Jeep .... Only 35s...I had 40s on my truck. As for the Chrome....When I get home sunday night....all that stuff is getting taken off and being sold on Ebay....hopefully I can get enough to get window mount side mirrors so the cops dont bitch when i take the doors off. As for the side bars...not tall enough for me to justify using them. Off with them too! Not a big fan of the bumpers, the back is fine with me...but I would want to replace the front eventually.

If I am not mistaking....a SYE kit is cheap...but I would need a new rear driveshaft? I am guessing 500-600 bucks? Sounds right? As for beefing up axles....I just got rid of my pickup cause with a career change I didnt want to spend 1100 on a payment anymore. Saving 700 a month is huge...so I dont want to spend more than 100-200 a month on this right now. In year that could change. I am guessing to replace both from and rear axles....that cost is probably 3500ish?