Lifting My Wrangler Need Input - Off-Road Forums & Discussion Groups

Busdriverwillie · #1 07-31-2009, 06:18 PM

I am looking at lifting my 99 jeep wrangler and would like some input. I want to consider the brand of lift kit and the items that in the long run I will be glad I went with as well as looks. I was thinking a 4" lift with 35 tires don't know about their width.

Rio_Grande · #2 07-31-2009, 08:14 PM

Lift isin't the the biggest issue, how do you plan to turn 35's at highway speeds?

Rubicon express makes a good TJ lift

JeepDawg · #3 08-01-2009, 05:10 AM

Like Rio said....35's will be an issue....and not just for height.

We assume you plane to do some real rock crawling? If you want it just for looks then the guys over are Pirate Off Road will have a better answer for you.

If you do plan to wheel it....I would suggest doing a test first.

Stop the jeep, put it in 3rd gear and then try to start off. That is about what it will feel like with those 35's if you don't re-gear.

Additionally.....your stock D35 in the rear and D30 in the front are not going to last that long with moderate off-roading and 35's.....

What engine do you have?

LEVE · #4 08-01-2009, 08:50 AM

My gosh man... before you lift that Jeep and get it all gnarly and cool/aggressive lookin' on those huge tires... sit down and THINK, then act.

If you do you're going to get a whole lot smarter. Do you really NEED the lift, or is it for a cool factor?

How about spending less money on something that will, though not look so cool, save your life... such as a couple of little things like:

Full roll cage
An 8000 pound winch

These are things you don't want to leave home without!

Then, if you really... really... need a lift start saving for the tires, the wheels, the lift kit, the front and rear differential re-gearing and all the labor to do the work. Oh, and all the little stuff the kits don't come with... There is no such thing as a cheap/complete lift.

GeeAea · #5 08-01-2009, 06:19 PM

I have to agree with my fellow geezer types. Hard earned wisdom is their fountain of knowledge.

1) is this going to be a daily driver?
2) Are you REALLY going to wheel in extremes that will require 35"
3) How fat is your wallet for mods ..and how fat is it to maintain it with the fatigue rates of NON-OEM aftermarket parts driven daily?

Performance parts, especially susupension parts, aren't necessarily designed for 100k mile endurance that a daily driver might subject it to over a 4 or 5 year span.

I'll never see hard core wheeling. I may hit a coal trail up in Centralia or some mud that has a bottom to it. I don't need a lift at all. I just put 235/75r15 meats on it. I installed a OEM TracLoc ..and that's about it. I've got tow hooks and a strap. It will last the totally possible 250k+ assuming we still have fuel to put in the tank. Maybe I'll put a winch on it when the budget allows. The wife's has one, so we can take that if we want.

cordova · #6 08-02-2009, 02:13 PM

If I were going for cool factor, I would consider putting the lift and 35's on the bus. I concur...GEARS. 3.07's, 35's, and a T-18 are a horrible combo on and off road. I have fun with it anyway.

jeepnut_nh · #7 08-02-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cordova

If I were going for cool factor, I would consider putting the lift and 35's on the bus. I concur...GEARS. 3.07's, 35's, and a T-18 are a horrible combo on and off road. I have fun with it anyway.

oh man thats a horrible state of affairs

i will gladly trade ya my nice well worn T-15 fer that nasty T-18, but only cause i hate to see a fellow jeeper suffer