Just a bit Higher please.......

[TJTack]

Greetings,

I'm a new arrival from the Ivoryton area.

I have a stock-99 TJ I want to "improve" just a bit. The main mission for the TJ is utilitarian- to deliver items over whatever may be in the way. I need to set it up to go around what I can't go over. However, the reality of that mission is that the TJ will live 75% on the tarmac. Maintaining road performance is very important.

With that mission criteria in mind- my intention is to add a reienforced bumper and stinger up front (65-85lbs), a reienforced bumper at the rear (50lbs), 31x10.5 or 32x11.5 BF All terains, and nerfs along the rails. In the fall I will put a winch upfront- when money and time allow.

I see a small (unadvoidable) lift in my future, but it would be helpful to avoid it untill fall.

I talked with a "tech" at 4wd.com who said Old Man Emu 910325H (99-176lb rating in front) 1 3/4 lift @$700 would be a nessesity to fufill my requirements.

He thought the coil spring spacers would be fine for a quick fix for now to allow for the 31x10.5 tires (not the 32"s) but, said that with the extra 65lbs of bumper up front and 50lbs in the rear it would be rubbing in the wells over any bumps.

Ideally, for now, I would like to put the 31" x 10.5" tires on with the front and rear bumpers and just the coil spring spacers.

I haven't done a full lift and it seems like the coil spacers would be a time saver for now.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

T.

 

[NOWAJEEP]

Welcome, more people will chime in with better ideas but here's a quick one. The OME lift always sounds nice but I could not see paying that much for that small amount of lift. Maybe go with a Rubicon Express or Teraflex Buget Boost lift. They usually run around $200 or so. If you wanted you could add OME shocks to those for a good ride. That will fit your 31's. If you want to fit 32's you could add a 1" BL for like $100. They are both easy to install and cheap. I'm no expert but if I were just looking for a small lift I would go with a BB and BL to fit those tires and help the extra weight of the bumpers. If there are any vibes then from the driveline you could use a transfer case lowering kit which is cheap also and may come with the suspension lift. That way you could save more $$ by not needing a SYE and new driveshaft.

Hope that helps.

 

[NomadJeep]

Hey,
TJTack, you live pretty close to me, anytime you want to talk tech, let me know... also if you deside to become a member, you will find that many Jeeps get thier lifts and toys put on for free with Wrench Fests. They are a wreching party,....

 

[jon]

just a little correction... the rubi springs are not the same as the ones in the TJ's. they have a higher rate, causing them to sit a little higher.

 

[Rubi04TJ]

just a little correction... the rubi springs are not the same as the ones in the TJ's. they have a higher rate, causing them to sit a little higher.

There are only two ratings for TJ springs.. Hard Top and Soft Top for all TJs, meaning that a sport with a hard top is the same as a Rubi with a Hard Top. No differance.

 

[Rubi04TJ]

oh yeah, i am running 33s on the 2 inch and it rides fine, don't go off-road with it though.

 

[Rev]

..but you handled Detour's "testing rock" fine enough. You just wouldn't want to disconnect and run a trail with that setup :lol:

If you are a patient person, watch the "pawn" area, old parts are bound to show up on there. I practically built my rig by scavenging parts from some "other" place. I'll be putting up a set of 4 (red) budget boost daystar coil spacers in the near future...

 

[TJTack]

Thanks for the input you'all. CJKarl said yous a bunch of smart fellows. I'll do some more surfing and see what I can learn. And then, I'm sure, be back to ask some more questions.

Happy 4th. Don't forget to throw it once its lit........lugs would suck with no fingers to spin em!

T.

 

[TJTack]

Ummm :?: ,

After reading up a bit and balancing cash flow, I think I'm leaning this route for a minor lift/wheel combo for now: My intent is to get a little high, and have a set of everyday wheels that will hold up to the road. Later when I have the cash, time, and mud mileage behind the wheel- I will decide on which full lift and treads to invest in.

What did Karl say "Just Empty Every Pocket!"

Opinions?

1. 2" Budget Boost $260 (delivered)

2. BF 32x11.5 AT $127.99 (pc-delivered) -(I really wanted 32x10.5s but don't think they make em and I don't quite decipher metric)
Anybody read metric tire sizes? http://www.4wheelparts.com/4wp/products/productLine.asp?cat=TIR&prodline=7&catName=TIRES&man=BFGO

3. Rims???-
Do I need to look into new ones? P225/75R15- are the tires on their now. I'm not much of a fan of the rims but, if I can shoot em black and leave em for now, so be it

4. After looking at Detours work and mailing with the man, I can definitely say I will be looking to use his designs for things that go bump....very nice. :smt023

 

[CJKarl]

Excellent idea my good man. Get your "trail legs" 1st. Then you will have a better idea of how far you want to mod.

 

[CJKarl]

I'd reconsider the "AT" tires......
:

I've had good luck with ATs. Detour, didn't the little green CJ go everywhere the big boys did? And I wasn't the only one that need a tug.

 

[xjmark]

I'd reconsider the "AT" tires......
:

I've had good luck with ATs. Detour, didn't the little green CJ go everywhere the big boys did? And I wasn't the only one that need a tug.

That CJ of yours was impressive what you could do with it.
Now for some gears and a locker.....Watch Out! \/

 

[TJTack]

I know......... I appriciate all "yours adviceies". But, if I cant run slicks over the hills and through the woods, then I might has well give in me transfer case. Hell, my favorite baseball team is the Cubs........... I should of warned you guys!

I'll be ready for D "I told you so-s"

:smt106 :smt119 :smt030 :smt028

 

[CJKarl]

Yes it did Karl, but do they even make those tires you have anymore??
You sqeeky thing you! :smt036

It's good think I know your a physical wreck or I'd slap ya around a little. :lol:
Funny thing about those tires...they came with the heep 3 years ago. I do think I'll be going a little bigger and more aggressive when these turn into bologna skins. :shock: In anoth 3 or 4 years. $hit, I still got 50K left onthem. :^o

 

[jon]

IF you are interested in the BFG AT's, I have a set, that I would be willing to part with. I have had em for a little over a year. (but in that time period, i have put about 8,000 miles on em (Student in boston, don't drive it much.)

they are the newer style KO's, I love the tires as on the YJ as it is more a DD, I would keep em, but I am steppin up to a set of 33s. if ya want em please pm me.

 

[TJTack]

Those BF ATs are the ones I've been pricing out. 32x11.5 15s. They seem like a good cross tire.

I may get stuck but, Karl can pull me out!

I once watched that road warrior drive 90 into a large puddle of water just because he wanted to make his truck into a hydrofoil! :smt082

Its not the size of your tires, its the attitude that gets you through it :smt080

 

[beaker]

I got a set of kumho's that still have plenty of life left in them after 30k (Had an alignment problem with the fronts but the rears have worn like iron).

Though It could be that they are at 50psi on the street too. Load range E 235-85-16 tires are very hard and can be pumped to 80 psi. 3000 lb rating per tire on a 3200 lb truck. It's great to tell if the coins in the road are heads up or down.

They would be about a ~31 > 32 x 9.5

 

[TJTack]

A Bit Higher UP DATE_

Looks like I'll be putting together my own buget boost. Rubi called today and, after telling me a week ago things were on the way, said kit had backordered componets and wasn't shipped yet. :smt013 :smt076 :smt093 :smt010.........Oh well! :-({|=

Piece-meal price Analisys: :smt017

1. Shocks: Rubi- uses Doetsch Tech DT3 shocks $34.95 a piece $134.95 for a set of 4.

4wd.com- For a some what better shock: I can use Skyjacker 1-3" Softride Nitro Gas for $37.95 a piece. Cost of set $151.80

2. Spring Spacer Kit: Rubi- 2" spacer $32.95 for 2 ($65.90 for set) Rubi bump stops rear $20.95. Front $22.95. Total of Spacers and bump stops $109.80

4wd.com- Prothane Coil Spring Spacer Kit (spacers, frt & rear bumps) $129.95

Package pricing:

Rubi Buget Boost kit- $219.95 in kit form with rear only bump stops ($242.90 with front as well) and $40.70 ship and handel.
Rubi Grand Total- $283.65 delivered to CT

4wd.com piece-meal- Skyjacker Nitro and Prothane Spacer kit $281.75 plus shipping from 4WD.com to CT ($22.95) Grand total: $304.70

Price Diff: $21.05

It is worth it- especially considering 4wd.com ships when they say (so far)........ :smt112 :smt023

 

[TJTack]

Steve,

What width rims were you running with those BFG All Terrain T/A KO 32"X11.50-15. I heard from one guy (at Denvir tire in Old Saybrook) that if I used the 8" rims the tire would wear in the middle, and I heard from a smart jeeper that everyone uses the 8" because the bead will roll off if you air down with the 10" width.

I know I will be putting together a more agressive set for just the trails later this winter, so I realy intend this set to be used 85% on the road, so should I go 8" or 10"???? Any ideas?

Help! I'm so confused!!

[/quote] :smt017 :smt017 :smt017

 

[KLank]

If you are going to be running a different set of Tires and Rims for wheeling, then I would go with the 10" ones for the road tires. The 8" rims can cause the tires to wear more in the middle under normal road pressures. If you run the tires a little soft (like Steve does) you can still get the tire to wear evenly on the road too. So, if you will be using the same rims for wheeling you should go with the 8" rims.

Just my .02. I'm sure Steve and others will give their opinions too.

Ken