lift and tyre size opinions for an '06 wrangler

[jimsaq]

My wife just bought a new 65th edition wrangler and we'd like to lift it up a little more out of harm's way and put some better a/t's on it that will also suit the lift, but hopefully not raise that nice stock low range it seems to have by too much. She almost always rides with me in my patrol every time I go out for a bash and is now keen to have a bit of a go in her own car, but will probably just stick with the mild/medium stuff and will use the car as a daily driver as well - along with the odd patrol recovery


The car does sit pretty low stock, although the approach/depart/rampover angles being as good as they are it might not be as much of an issue. After climbing around underneath to have a squiz at things I'm figuring about a 2-3" lift and maybe 30x9.5 tyres.

My main questions are:


What're people's general opinions on this?

Would a 3" lift move things around too much? We'd prefer not to have to mess with body lift, uni joints etc

Would it need caster plates for a 3" lift or would bushes be enough, or is there some other preferred way of bringing things back into line?

Any gotchas?


Thanks

[millhouse]

you really need to ask yerself what tyre size you wish to go up to!!

you can put 31x10.5 on it stock, lift wise 2-3 inch will work really well with 31's off road and give you a bit more flex etc

arb make a good kit for the tj that will net around 2.5 inch lift

I would recommend getting a slipyoke kit for the transfercase if you lift it 3" or higher to reduce the driveline vibes

add a 1" body lift and you could run 32's

anything larger in lift size and you will need a lot of other components to buy and running bigger than 31's will kill the gearing

I'd say put some 31x10,5 tyres and the arb lift and wheel the thing, you will be suprised how good that setup is for a tj

[jimsaq]

cheers millhouse

the tyre size we'd like to go up to is just enough to be proportionate to a 2-3" lift so it doesn't look like a roller skate but isn't too much over the stock size and messes with the gearing too much.

we're considering the arb lift, I didn't realise they'd do more than 2"

thanks again

[millhouse]

there is a few options with the arb lift as you can specify heavy load springs wich will net 2-3 inch after they settle otherwise the standards will sit at 2.5



here is a pic of what it will look like with the above and 31's

[jimsaq]

that looks about what we're after, thanks for that much appreciated

[sir_camel]

Yea the OME (Old Man Emu) lift is great. Heaps better on road too. It flex's very well and with 31's and a disconnected swaybar you can go REALLY well. Invest in some quick disconnects (Rubicon Express Gen II are good) and you will be out flexing some much bigger trucks. Love that factory 5 link.

[franco]

you'll be pleasantly suprised what a 2" lift, 31s and front swaybar discos can do. Another brand of disconnects are terraflex too - worth checking out.

[jimsaq]

thanks for the input folks

how did you all find the effect on low range gearing from the jump from ~28" stock to 31" tyres?

[franco]

well i dont own a TJ (the one I posted is a friends) and know many others with TJs and 31s I go out with frequently with, some even run 33s with stock ratios (not necessarily recomended). going from 28s to 31s isnt a problem with the 6 sp manual and would probably handle 32s okay, the autos (i think even with 28s?) can still run away a bit on steep descents. My XJ did with stock gearing and 31s, but with 4.11s its improved amazingly.

[Daz7]

Do your research, I've seem a few posts from those who have fitted 31's with standard gearing saying 6th isn't that usable on the road much anymore.

[evanstaniland]

http://www.wooders.com.au/RE%20SuspensionsTJ.htm

evan...

[jimsaq]

thanks again