WJpet

im new to owning a jeep i have a 2004 Grand Cherokee and i was wondering everyones preferences as far as lift kits and tires go. i have time and resources for doing all the work myself.

04WJGuy

Start small. Get a good set of tires and go driving, find out where you like to have your offroad fun. Mud, trails, rocks, etc. and then you start to build your Jeep for that.
While your doing this you'll also start honing your offroad skills. Get used to driving your Jeep and reading terrain before you start thinking about mods, you may find that you just spent a lot of money on something that you really don't need.

WJpet

well i mainly want to do trail riding, but the first thing i have on my plate is a new back window, some punk smashed it out yesterday ($1012 to replace new, im hoping to get one for $150 at a yard), then i was thinking a set of tires and a suspension lift onlt 2 maybe 2 1/2 inch to start. any sugestions for the lift and how big of tires i should get for the lift?

04WJGuy

Here's a basic chart but I would suggest some changes to it.
#4) Even at 2" get the extended shocks, it's only a matter of time before your stock one's let go.
#11) A-Arm spacer, get it now your rear suspension will thank you.
#12) Get a new steering stabilizer (heavy duty) unless you've just replaced yours.

If this is your first Jeep and your new to off roading I would really suggest that you hold off on the list and first learn the capabilities of your Jeep before you start making major changes to it. A good set of tires can take you a lot of places if you pay attention to the trail and what you know your Jeep can do.

WJCraig

Well, depending on what you like to do, and how you use your Jeep will determine what you should do as far as lift and tires and other mods are concerned...So if you know what size lift you're looking for it will help us give you better suggestions on parts/mods, but here's some general info for you...

I would say that if you want to go much over 4" of lift, you should be really looking at a long arm kit. anything under 4.5" of lift work for a short arm kit.
Any lift under 5 inches will give you room for about 32" tires without any trimming. Larger tires will require either more lift or some fender trimming.
If you can order out of the US it'll probably save you some money. A couple of good places to look online are:
Kevin's Off Road (Kevin's Newer Website)
and
Iron Rock Off Road

I've delt with both of those companies and are very happy with them. Great products and great customer service. They are quite good about answering any questions you have.

DO check shipping prices though. I pick my stuff up on the other side of the border and bring them over myself, since I'm pretty close. Shipping charges and brokerage fees may not make it worth it for you.

Sooner then later I'd recommend in a little body armor as well...Particularly a good set of rock sliders. Mine have paid for themselves many times over.

As for lifts:

Budget boosts are pretty much all the same, so go with the best priced kit. Do check what each comes with though. Some cheaper kits are just spacers, some slightly more expensive ones include shocks and bushings with the kit.

For lifts to 4" I'd recommend BDS (that's what I've got), Teraflex, KOR or IRO.

Lifts higher then 4" I'd recommend Claytons or IRO Long arm kit. Quite different, but both great kits. (Not the cheapest though)

Another good upgrade is some sort of a swaybar disconnects. Big improvement.

A Hi-Lift or farm jack is a handy thing to have. And before you head out, please make sure you have both front and rear tow points and at least one recovery strap. Nothing worse then coming across somebody on the trail who is totally unprepared and have no good way of "unstucking" them.

Hope that helps you out a bit.

Any more questions, feel free to ask.

Later.

CrazyWJ242

i mean i've gone over 12" wide trees with my stock suspension WJ and nearly bald street tires... the thing has traction like you wouldn't believe and has gone up steep hill walking trails with ease... except for when it was raining... but thats where new AT tires kick in...

start with tires, it will definitely get you threw 90% of the stuff you want... if you drive wisely hone in those skills, and then figure out how much lift your really going to need, you'll most likely be happier with your jeep...

the lift kits barely help on main trails its definitely for playing on stuff and serious off-roading... even then you'd be suprised at how the stock WJ handles it... i've won bets that i could take my WJ places TJ's were scared to go... it would be so much easier with new rubber...

its alot cheaper honing your skills, and becoming equipped to get yourself stuck, and help a jeeper out than to put the money into the rig and not know what to do with it...

but then again, if you've got the cash to throw at it, theres nothing wrong with figuring out what it cant do with all that money into it lol, were all young were gonna do what we like and thats having fun... regardless of what path you go, its going to be fun in your WJ for sure!

WJpet

thanks for all the help guys, now that i know what i want to do sort of, im going to go do some driving. does any one know any places to go off road in the Petawawa ontario area

WJpet

by the way im thinking of a 2" lift with 245/75/16 tires

04WJGuy

Will be a good choice, keeps you at almost stock handling and a little extra clearance for when you go off road. Like Craig said above, KOR and IRO are very good companies that make excellent gear.
I've given both of them many pay cheques over the years. :)
Try googling for Jeep clubs in that area, most clubs will let you go out on a run as a visitor and it gives you the oppritunity to meet more Jeep fanatics.

ulric

here's a stupid question....where on this forum can I find out if someone has a 2'' BB or any other lift kit for sale???