What kind of wheeling do you do and whats your budget.
Questions for the pros
Ok guys you all are the pros and I'm needin some help
I drive a stock 97 wrangler 4.0 sport 5 speed (daily driver)
I like going offroad a few times a month so I'm looking to lift my jeep and throw some bigger rubbers under it, but I have questions---
SUSPENSION
»I'm gonna get the 4.25" zone combo lift, should I get the solid links or the disconnects for extra $60?
»Also, are "nitro gas shocks" better than stock? (I'll be on pavement 90% of the time)
AXLES
»I think my axles are stock ( front = Dana 30, back = dana 35c)....i could be wrong
Should I upgrade my axles to make them a little more durable?
If so, what would be some recommendations?
GEARS
»I can only assume my gearing is somethin like 3.07 which I think is stock for my jeep, since this is my DD and weekend warrior what gears would be better for the road but still decent on the trails?
BRAKES
»Would I also need to get different brakes and hubs as well?
*
Sorry for all the questions guys I just have no idea compared to all of you
If I left out any info that is needed please let me know and I'll get back ASAP
Thanks guys I really appreciate it
I drive a stock 97 wrangler 4.0 sport 5 speed (daily driver)
I like going offroad a few times a month so I'm looking to lift my jeep and throw some bigger rubbers under it, but I have questions---
SUSPENSION
»I'm gonna get the 4.25" zone combo lift, should I get the solid links or the disconnects for extra $60?
»Also, are "nitro gas shocks" better than stock? (I'll be on pavement 90% of the time)
AXLES
»I think my axles are stock ( front = Dana 30, back = dana 35c)....i could be wrong
Should I upgrade my axles to make them a little more durable?
If so, what would be some recommendations?
GEARS
»I can only assume my gearing is somethin like 3.07 which I think is stock for my jeep, since this is my DD and weekend warrior what gears would be better for the road but still decent on the trails?
BRAKES
»Would I also need to get different brakes and hubs as well?
*
Sorry for all the questions guys I just have no idea compared to all of you
If I left out any info that is needed please let me know and I'll get back ASAP
Thanks guys I really appreciate it
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
When I'm offroad it's mostly trails, small rock climbin and some mud puddles, no serious mud bogginThomas302 said:What kind of wheeling do you do and whats your budget.
And my budget (lift, tires, etc.) will hopefully be around 5 or 6 grand....give or takeThomas302 said:What kind of wheeling do you do and whats your budget.
When you normally go wheeling do you disconnect your sway bar? Or do you expect to do more serious wheeling once you lift it? I got the discos..it was worth it just to have even if I don't use them often..but if you're worried about the extra cash, don't normally disconnect the sway bar, and expect to wheel on the same level you do now then it won't really matter..
I think you’re on the right track. I would get the disco's with the lift. They make a big difference on the trail. You can flex on no get into a bind on ledges. 33's with the 4.5" lift would make a good combo. The stock 3.07's would be ok but not ideal. Some guys may say 4.88's but for a DD 4.10's would probably all you would need. Your stock axles will be fine. Just remember not to bounce and try and power up obstacles. Just use your head, pick good lines and don’t overdo it on the skinny pedal and your dana 35 will last. If you have open diffs now, doing a limited slip in the rear and locker up front will make a huge difference and be way more fun. Stuff that was difficult will become a piece of cake. On 33's your stock brakes will not be like a lambo but it will stop ok. Just keep researching and make the jeep your own.
^^^^^^ Agree but if you have a budget of 5,000 I would get a better quality lift kit! You would enjoy the ride more since its your daily driver!:thumb:
I'm thinkin I'm just gonna bite the bullet and get the discos
I'll keep my axles how they are but I might tweak my brakes a little
As far as gearing I'll probably leave it the way it is and maybe experiment later on down the road
If you have any input please feel free I'm all ears guys
I'll keep my axles how they are but I might tweak my brakes a little
As far as gearing I'll probably leave it the way it is and maybe experiment later on down the road
If you have any input please feel free I'm all ears guys
Most definitely!^^^^^^ Agree but if you have a budget of 5,000 I would get a better quality lift kit! You would enjoy the ride more since its your daily driver!:thumb:
With that budget, I'd be looking at a better quality suspension lift like from Savvy Offroad at Savvy Offroad or Currie at Currie Enterprises - Custom Rearends, Jeep/Off-road Parts, Crate Rearends, 4x4 Rearends
And for the front antiswaybar, you'll get significantly better offroad performance with a Currie Antirock than with quick disconnects.
Generally speaking, gas-charged "nitro" shocks are better but many are too stiffly valved for a Wrangler. OME (Old Man Emu) Nitrocharger shocks are nitro and have a good ride.
What size tires you can run depend heavily on whether your rear axle is the standard Dana 35c or the optional/stronger Dana 44. You need to determine which rear axle you have, there are a lot of photos floating around the forum that identify them. I'd post photos for you but I am not on my home computer this morning.
Hope that helps a little.
And for the front antiswaybar, you'll get significantly better offroad performance with a Currie Antirock than with quick disconnects.
Generally speaking, gas-charged "nitro" shocks are better but many are too stiffly valved for a Wrangler. OME (Old Man Emu) Nitrocharger shocks are nitro and have a good ride.
What size tires you can run depend heavily on whether your rear axle is the standard Dana 35c or the optional/stronger Dana 44. You need to determine which rear axle you have, there are a lot of photos floating around the forum that identify them. I'd post photos for you but I am not on my home computer this morning.
Hope that helps a little.
With a budget of $5000 or more, why would you be concerned about spending a few more bucks on the quick disconnects? Some of the advice you have received on here is horrible. You need 4.56 gearing for 33 inch tires, not 4.88 and 4.10 will most likely not be okay. Your stock rear end is a gamble as to how long until it breaks running larger tires and your brakes are fine if you run 33 inch tires. With the money you say you have to spend you can put in a dana 44 or equiv. along with lockers front and rear and a good suspension lift and more. Have you looked and OME lifts? Don't buy something you will not be happy with. Do some research and do it right.
Even with 33s I would recommend at least new pads and shoes from black magic brakes. I have them going onto mine this weekend and I run 33s. I went from 29 to 31 to 33 and have noticed a pretty good reduction in braking ability that i would like to regain.
If you have 3.07 and go to 33, you'll want a 4.10 gear setup. 33+3.07 cant get out of its own way and could end up being a danger in your 90% road usage. Outside of that you should be good. I too would recommend antirock over disconnects, its just easier to deal with and works great.
If you have 3.07 and go to 33, you'll want a 4.10 gear setup. 33+3.07 cant get out of its own way and could end up being a danger in your 90% road usage. Outside of that you should be good. I too would recommend antirock over disconnects, its just easier to deal with and works great.
The only transmission 4.10 works well for 33" tires is the 3-speed 32RH automatic. For any other transmission, 4.56 is the optimal street/offroad ratio for 33" tires. 4.10 just isn't quite enough gear to truly restore the performance lost with a tire as big and heavy as a 33"... especially on the street.
Well Ill agree to disagree on that, I have 33s with 5sp and 4.10 and my Jeep moves quite well on the street with this setup. As good as my 29in tires did? Nope but better than the 31s did with 3.07. I'm going to chalk this one up to preference.
Sorry for my horrible advice. I didnt know you "needed" 4.56 gear when you put 33" tires on. Make sure you tell that to the 10's of thousands of jeeps that are on 33's and 35's with their stock gears. Like Jerry said 4.56's are "optimum" but any gear will move your jeep!With a budget of $5000 or more, why would you be concerned about spending a few more bucks on the quick disconnects? Some of the advice you have received on here is horrible. You need 4.56 gearing for 33 inch tires, not 4.88 and 4.10 will most likely not be okay. Your stock rear end is a gamble as to how long until it breaks running larger tires and your brakes are fine if you run 33 inch tires. With the money you say you have to spend you can put in a dana 44 or equiv. along with lockers front and rear and a good suspension lift and more. Have you looked and OME lifts? Don't buy something you will not be happy with. Do some research and do it right.
The OP is asking for advice for him to make his future decisions on, making optimal recommendations instead of what will just get by is how the majority of us look at it.
For example... for 33" tires... very few would disagree that 4.56 is optimal for 33" tires with a 5-speed manual transmission and 4.0L engine. Why NOT strongly recommend 4.56 instead of some other ratio that will just get by?
Certainly 4.10 will work but it's not optimal for 33" tires. Heck, what axle ratio did Jeep choose for the Rubicon to turn its OE 31" tires? 4.10. That is optimal for 31"... and when you jump up 2" in tire diameter, a bump in the ratio is recommended too.
13-14 years ago, against the recommendations of more experienced jeepers who all universally recommended 4.56 to me, I instead regeared to 4.10 for my then 33" tires. I was afraid of the slightly higher RPMs 4.56 would give me. It was only a matter of weeks before I finally figured the 4.10 decision was a mistake. I was forced to downshift to make it up mild grades I never should have had to downshift for.
So if Jeep says 4.10 is optimal for the Rubicon's 31" tires, I just have to say that backs up my contention that 4.10 can't also be optimal for 33" tires.
So my philosophy is if the OP hasn't pulled the trigger on any decisions yet, I am definitely going to recommend what is optimal, not what will get by.
For example... for 33" tires... very few would disagree that 4.56 is optimal for 33" tires with a 5-speed manual transmission and 4.0L engine. Why NOT strongly recommend 4.56 instead of some other ratio that will just get by?
Certainly 4.10 will work but it's not optimal for 33" tires. Heck, what axle ratio did Jeep choose for the Rubicon to turn its OE 31" tires? 4.10. That is optimal for 31"... and when you jump up 2" in tire diameter, a bump in the ratio is recommended too.
13-14 years ago, against the recommendations of more experienced jeepers who all universally recommended 4.56 to me, I instead regeared to 4.10 for my then 33" tires. I was afraid of the slightly higher RPMs 4.56 would give me. It was only a matter of weeks before I finally figured the 4.10 decision was a mistake. I was forced to downshift to make it up mild grades I never should have had to downshift for.
So if Jeep says 4.10 is optimal for the Rubicon's 31" tires, I just have to say that backs up my contention that 4.10 can't also be optimal for 33" tires.
So my philosophy is if the OP hasn't pulled the trigger on any decisions yet, I am definitely going to recommend what is optimal, not what will get by.
If you really want to you could buy a set of axles from a wrecked 4cyl with a limited slip (look in its glove box for a metalic sticker) and you'll have 4.11 gears then put a cclip eliminator kit on it that comes with an axle upgrade and you'll be all set axle wise
Jerry I understand what you’re saying. You have a lot of knowledge. I like how you come in and correct people with respect and not just say you all give horrible advice. I learn a lot reading your posts. Thanks.
I'm looking at this lift mainly because it suits my needs and it avoids a TC drop and some other small headaches
My budget is gonna include my tires and some other things so even if I wanted a nicer more expensibe lift (which I don't) I wouldnt get much better than this
And I never thought to look at wrecked jeeps so thanks for that one :thumbs:
Also, I apreciate everyones input it really helps me in my final decision
My budget is gonna include my tires and some other things so even if I wanted a nicer more expensibe lift (which I don't) I wouldnt get much better than this
And I never thought to look at wrecked jeeps so thanks for that one :thumbs:
Also, I apreciate everyones input it really helps me in my final decision
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Jeep Wrangler Forum
A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, trail riding, gear, suspension, tires, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, for all JL, JT, JK, TJ, YJ, and CJ models!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Old Dogger
700 Replies
Luckymac
329 Replies
Sgt_USMC
263 Replies
Recommended Communities
