Advice on tire/lift combo 2001 TJ Sport
 

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on a tire lift combination for my 2001 TJ Sport.
I've got something in mind, but I thought it would be better to ask some
other people who have tried different combos to get some feed back.

I've got the I6 engine, Dana 44 rear, 5 speed transmission, and dual tops.
It has the 9.5x30" tire package on it as well. I'm pretty sure the rims
are 15x8.

This thing spends most of it's life on the highway, but I want to get a
little more clearance under it. It does go offroad, and I'm expecting to
get it offroad more often since moving near the mountains, but still nothing
too extreme.

I would like to get 33x10.5 or BF Goodrich AT tires, install 'em on the
existing rims, and lift it maybe 2-2.5". I only want to lift it enough so
the tires have sufficient clearance for off roading. Most of the website
recommendations I've seen suggest 4" lifts for 33" tires.

I don't want to fool with drive shafts and angles right now, or diff
gearing. I don't want to lose highway drivability.

Questions...
- are 33" tires too big? Maybe 32" are better.
- is a 2" lift enough for 33" tires?
- I've been told the BF Goodrich AT is the best bang for the buck? Any
disputes or suggestions??
- Any suggestions on lifts that do not require changing the lower suspension
arms?
- Any suggestions on any suspension lifts?

Thanks.
Mike

Re: Advice on tire/lift combo 2001 TJ Sport
 

If you're not planning on changing any gears, you live in the mountains and
you don't want to lose "drive-ability" I'd suggest you go with 32's vice
33's. A 2" lift isn't really big enough for 33's if you're going to do any
"off-roading" because you'll have rubbing problems and may bang the tire up
into the wheelwell.

I'm kinda in the same boat you are.... I had the 30" tire package on my 98
TJ and it's a daily driver. I don't do any "serious" off-roading, but I
wanted the extra ground clearance and bigger tires. Plus I pull a double
jetski trailer so I didn't want to lose too much power and I didn't want to
re-gear. I went with a Tera-Flex (2T) with will give you about 2.5-3" of
lift. I'm also running 32x11.5's and I have no complaints. A slight drop
in power but nothing noticable and the jeep looks great. If you'd like I'll
take some pictures and send them to you so you can see what my Jeep looks
like....

"mike" <mikedebjess@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:vhjtii369j19d4@corp.supernews.com...
> Hi,
>
> I'm looking for some advice on a tire lift combination for my 2001 TJ
Sport.
> I've got something in mind, but I thought it would be better to ask some
> other people who have tried different combos to get some feed back.
>
> I've got the I6 engine, Dana 44 rear, 5 speed transmission, and dual tops.
> It has the 9.5x30" tire package on it as well. I'm pretty sure the rims
> are 15x8.
>
> This thing spends most of it's life on the highway, but I want to get a
> little more clearance under it. It does go offroad, and I'm expecting to
> get it offroad more often since moving near the mountains, but still
nothing
> too extreme.
>
> I would like to get 33x10.5 or BF Goodrich AT tires, install 'em on the
> existing rims, and lift it maybe 2-2.5". I only want to lift it enough so
> the tires have sufficient clearance for off roading. Most of the website
> recommendations I've seen suggest 4" lifts for 33" tires.
>
> I don't want to fool with drive shafts and angles right now, or diff
> gearing. I don't want to lose highway drivability.
>
> Questions...
> - are 33" tires too big? Maybe 32" are better.
> - is a 2" lift enough for 33" tires?
> - I've been told the BF Goodrich AT is the best bang for the buck? Any
> disputes or suggestions??
> - Any suggestions on lifts that do not require changing the lower
suspension
> arms?
> - Any suggestions on any suspension lifts?
>
> Thanks.
> Mike
>
>

Re: Advice on tire/lift combo 2001 TJ Sport
 

With a 3" lift you should not have to do a SYE. Just a transfer case lowering kit.
A 4" lift should probably have a SYE.

A 2" lift with a 1" body lift should run most 33's ok. I ran 33's for years with a
3" Tera kit.

My suggestions:
3" lift, Tera, or RE.
2" lift OME w/a 1" body lift.

Running 33's with 3.73's (what I think you have for gearing) will mean loosing some
upper end, not as much get up and go in 4th and 5th, 5th is only for cruising on the
freeway long distances. Its quite livable IMO, but YMMV.


On Sat, 19 Jul 2003 21:54:19 -0400, "mike" <mikedebjess@hotmail.com> wrote:

>>Hi,
>>
>>I'm looking for some advice on a tire lift combination for my 2001 TJ Sport.
>>I've got something in mind, but I thought it would be better to ask some
>>other people who have tried different combos to get some feed back.
>>
>>I've got the I6 engine, Dana 44 rear, 5 speed transmission, and dual tops.
>>It has the 9.5x30" tire package on it as well. I'm pretty sure the rims
>>are 15x8.
>>
>>This thing spends most of it's life on the highway, but I want to get a
>>little more clearance under it. It does go offroad, and I'm expecting to
>>get it offroad more often since moving near the mountains, but still nothing
>>too extreme.
>>
>>I would like to get 33x10.5 or BF Goodrich AT tires, install 'em on the
>>existing rims, and lift it maybe 2-2.5". I only want to lift it enough so
>>the tires have sufficient clearance for off roading. Most of the website
>>recommendations I've seen suggest 4" lifts for 33" tires.
>>
>>I don't want to fool with drive shafts and angles right now, or diff
>>gearing. I don't want to lose highway drivability.
>>
>>Questions...
>>- are 33" tires too big? Maybe 32" are better.
>>- is a 2" lift enough for 33" tires?
>>- I've been told the BF Goodrich AT is the best bang for the buck? Any
>>disputes or suggestions??
>>- Any suggestions on lifts that do not require changing the lower suspension
>>arms?
>>- Any suggestions on any suspension lifts?
>>
>>Thanks.
>>Mike
>>

Re: Advice on tire/lift combo 2001 TJ Sport
 

Send a picture...
"Sakislayer" <live4sun@cablespeed.com> wrote in message
news:vhk2girot2g0b9@corp.supernews.com...
> If you're not planning on changing any gears, you live in the mountains
and
> you don't want to lose "drive-ability" I'd suggest you go with 32's vice
> 33's. A 2" lift isn't really big enough for 33's if you're going to do
any
> "off-roading" because you'll have rubbing problems and may bang the tire
up
> into the wheelwell.
>
> I'm kinda in the same boat you are.... I had the 30" tire package on my
98
> TJ and it's a daily driver. I don't do any "serious" off-roading, but I
> wanted the extra ground clearance and bigger tires. Plus I pull a double
> jetski trailer so I didn't want to lose too much power and I didn't want
to
> re-gear. I went with a Tera-Flex (2T) with will give you about 2.5-3" of
> lift. I'm also running 32x11.5's and I have no complaints. A slight drop
> in power but nothing noticable and the jeep looks great. If you'd like
I'll
> take some pictures and send them to you so you can see what my Jeep looks
> like....
>
> "mike" <mikedebjess@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:vhjtii369j19d4@corp.supernews.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm looking for some advice on a tire lift combination for my 2001 TJ
> Sport.
> > I've got something in mind, but I thought it would be better to ask some
> > other people who have tried different combos to get some feed back.
> >
> > I've got the I6 engine, Dana 44 rear, 5 speed transmission, and dual
tops.
> > It has the 9.5x30" tire package on it as well. I'm pretty sure the
rims
> > are 15x8.
> >
> > This thing spends most of it's life on the highway, but I want to get a
> > little more clearance under it. It does go offroad, and I'm expecting
to
> > get it offroad more often since moving near the mountains, but still
> nothing
> > too extreme.
> >
> > I would like to get 33x10.5 or BF Goodrich AT tires, install 'em on the
> > existing rims, and lift it maybe 2-2.5". I only want to lift it enough
so
> > the tires have sufficient clearance for off roading. Most of the
website
> > recommendations I've seen suggest 4" lifts for 33" tires.
> >
> > I don't want to fool with drive shafts and angles right now, or diff
> > gearing. I don't want to lose highway drivability.
> >
> > Questions...
> > - are 33" tires too big? Maybe 32" are better.
> > - is a 2" lift enough for 33" tires?
> > - I've been told the BF Goodrich AT is the best bang for the buck? Any
> > disputes or suggestions??
> > - Any suggestions on lifts that do not require changing the lower
> suspension
> > arms?
> > - Any suggestions on any suspension lifts?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Mike
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Advice on tire/lift combo 2001 TJ Sport
 

I was thinking 33's because they would give me another 1.5" clearance, plus
they look cool. If it wasn't for the additional expense and pain, I'd go
for 35's.

I had a CJ years ago with 31's on it, and it worked and looked great. Had a
350 Chevy in it though.


"Eric" <gymrat@cox.net> wrote in message
news:xknSa.68033$o86.44059@news1.central.cox.net.. .
> First let me say I'm not an expert at this, but will give you my thoughts
> anyway:
>
> > Questions...
> > - are 33" tires too big? Maybe 32" are better.
> If you're not going to spend much time off-road, why 33's? 32s are MORE
> than enough. Heck, might as well stick with 31s. I've seen people go
crazy
> places off-road with 31s.
>
> > - is a 2" lift enough for 33" tires?
> Theoretically. No lift needed for 31s, so 2" would get you 33s. Of
course,
> if you plan on doing any off-roading and disconnect your swaybar (you'll
> want to do that... makes a lot of difference), you'll rub like crazy.
Heck,
> I have 30.5s (metric) with 2" of lift and I'll rub on occasion when
> disconnected.
>
> > - I've been told the BF Goodrich AT is the best bang for the buck? Any
> > disputes or suggestions??
> With you spending most of your time on the road, I'd say yes. I think
there
> are a dozen better tires for those extremists (you know who you are), but
us
> "weekend warriors" can stick with the ATs.
>
> > - Any suggestions on lifts that do not require changing the lower
> suspension
> > arms?
> Anything more than 2 - 2.5" is going to get tricky. I know adding 2" to
my
> 99 TJ has shifted the axle a bit, and I don't think that the stabilizer is
> doing as good of a job now that the angle has change (correct me if I'm
> wrong). Also, you'll need new swaybar disconnects over 2". Am I right on
> that one, guys?
>
> > - Any suggestions on any suspension lifts?
> Old Man Emu does a 2.5" lift that is tailored to your needs. You can get
> different springs depending on what accessories you plan on adding or
> already have. I've heard nothing but rave reviews about it, minus the
cost
> (looking at about $650 for 2.5" springs/shocks/hardware goodies). That
will
> be my next addition. With my spacers that'll take me to 4.5" or so
> (probably settle at 4"...)
>
> Again, just my thoughts. I'm not THE expert! Those will come of out the
> woodwork soon enough. ;-)
>
> Eric
> 99 TJ SE
> 4.0 TB Swap, AirAid Intake, 2" Spacer lift, Teraflex Quick-Discos,
> Challenger HD rock sliders (yay!)
>
> 00 XJ LTD
> 2" Spacer/Shackle Lift (don't recommend this to anyone)
> engine-runs-without-oil Mod
>
> "mike" <mikedebjess@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:vhjtii369j19d4@corp.supernews.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm looking for some advice on a tire lift combination for my 2001 TJ
> Sport.
> > I've got something in mind, but I thought it would be better to ask some
> > other people who have tried different combos to get some feed back.
> >
> > I've got the I6 engine, Dana 44 rear, 5 speed transmission, and dual
tops.
> > It has the 9.5x30" tire package on it as well. I'm pretty sure the
rims
> > are 15x8.
> >
> > This thing spends most of it's life on the highway, but I want to get a
> > little more clearance under it. It does go offroad, and I'm expecting
to
> > get it offroad more often since moving near the mountains, but still
> nothing
> > too extreme.
> >
> > I would like to get 33x10.5 or BF Goodrich AT tires, install 'em on the
> > existing rims, and lift it maybe 2-2.5". I only want to lift it enough
so
> > the tires have sufficient clearance for off roading. Most of the
website
> > recommendations I've seen suggest 4" lifts for 33" tires.
> >
> > I don't want to fool with drive shafts and angles right now, or diff
> > gearing. I don't want to lose highway drivability.
> >
> > Questions...
> > - are 33" tires too big? Maybe 32" are better.
> > - is a 2" lift enough for 33" tires?
> > - I've been told the BF Goodrich AT is the best bang for the buck? Any
> > disputes or suggestions??
> > - Any suggestions on lifts that do not require changing the lower
> suspension
> > arms?
> > - Any suggestions on any suspension lifts?
> >
> > Thanks.
> > Mike
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Advice on tire/lift combo 2001 TJ Sport
 

mike wrote:

> Why to the suspension lifts usually require new lower suspension arms?
> Does the axle get out of alignment that much with a small lift that longer
> arms are required?

Caster angle, I think... I assume that since with wider tires you'll lose
your self-centering feel somewhat anyway, losing any caster will just make
it that much worse and you'll find yourself wandering all over the road.