35s On stock Rubicon suspension - Advice needed

[Organic Gasoline]

Hello,

Hoping to run 35s on the stock Rubicon suspension, mostly to save my mileage and stock ride quality. I love getting on the trail, but with family makes it hard to find time for wheeling trips. So my Jeep does see some heavy trail use, but mostly a road dog... and it needs more clearance.

From what I have read, 35" tires will fit without any issue, but may contact the fenders when articulating. Does anyone have a low center Jeep build like this, or should I just get the lift kit? This is my first Jeep.

I was thinking about maybe just getting some aftermarket fender liners (Recommendations would be appreciated). Thanks y'al

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[micahpop]

Rubbin' is off roadin'? I had 35's on my rubicon for a couple of weeks before installing a lift and took it out to Cleghorn once. This is a pretty mild trail with some offshoots that require a bit of flexing. Even on the tame parts, the rear tires were rubbing on the liners like a horny pre-teen.

Unless your trails are pretty flat or don't require much articulation, I would recommend getting a lift with your 35s.

 

[Krondor]

I didn't get any rubbing with 315/70-17's on stock suspension, and I flexed it out fairly well. This was with Patagonias which were a bit taller than my current KO2's of the same size.

 

[FrostQ]

FWIW...I'm on stock Rubi suspension running BFG K02 315/70R17 (measures to be closer to 34") with +0 offset 4.75BS wheels. The rear rubs a little, but not enough to be concerning.

 

[dchemphill1]

Check out this video. Again he is running BFG KO2's so they run smaller.

 

[FrostQ]

Check out this video. Again he is running BFG KO2's so they run smaller.

Is there a difference between the 2dr vs. 4dr?
I'm running the same setup as the 2dr in the vid, but I definitely had some very minor rubbing in the rear.

 

[dchemphill1]

Is there a difference between the 2dr vs. 4dr?
I'm running the same setup as the 2dr in the vid, but I definitely had some very minor rubbing in the rear.

Great question I have the 2 Door and was thinking next set of tires would be the 315 70 17 size...originally thought I would add the AEV 2" spacer lift but after I saw this video I was not sure. The video guy did eventually add a lift not sure if entire lift or spacer. You got to love the 2dr!?

 

[FrostQ]

Great question I have the 2 Door and was thinking next set of tires would be the 315 70 17 size...originally thought I would add the AEV 2" spacer lift but after I saw this video I was not sure. The video guy did eventually add a lift not sure if entire lift or spacer. You got to love the 2dr!?

He did a review on the dynatrac endurosport 2" lift on his 2dr.

 

[GATORB8]

Check out this video. Again he is running BFG KO2's so they run smaller.

I haven't wheeled the Jeep stock, but when I had some rubbing with 37s and the lower lift, it was not were he is looking, it was the inner side of the fenders, not the top. I'd assume that to be the case in this setup as well with no additional offset. Also, remember he's pointed dead straight, with no turn in the front.

Although ride height helps clearance on road, it's really the bump stop extension that provides clearance off road.

Looks like he is disconnected, but remember he's running stock Rubi shocks, which will have around 3.5" of droop fully articulated and give about 23* of axle angle. If you decided to change shocks at some point, you could easily increase that by 50%, but that additional axle angle would pull the inside of the tire in.

The tires will hit your mileage harder than a mile lift, and remember your only gaining half the diameter in actual clearance, i.e. 2" of diameter change is only going to get you 1" of clearance at most. Also remember airing down will reduce that further.

A properly set up lift (I'm not saying a "proper" full spring lift kit, just one setup with the correct bumps and shocks) can increase clearance, increase articulation angle, and retain most of the factory ride characteristics.

 

[blnewt]

Hello,

Hoping to run 35s on the stock Rubicon suspension, mostly to save my mileage and stock ride quality. I love getting on the trail, but with family makes it hard to find time for wheeling trips. So my Jeep does see some heavy trail use, but mostly a road dog... and it needs more clearance.

From what I have read, 35" tires will fit without any issue, but may contact the fenders when articulating. Does anyone have a low center Jeep build like this, or should I just get the lift kit? This is my first Jeep.

I was thinking about maybe just getting some aftermarket fender liners (Recommendations would be appreciated). Thanks y'al

There's also a few narrower tire versions that might be worth considering like 285/75/17 (34.5 tall) or 35x11.5/17 if you want the height but a bit more clearance to the inner fenders. These should be a bit lighter too

 

[NC31]

I run 315/70r17 on a 4-door (Mickey Thompson ATZ). It has been fine off-road.

 

[MacombRoger]

I run Nitto 35x11.5x17 on my stock Rubicon suspension. I get rubbing on flat pavement at full turn and rubbing when off-roading under heavy articulation. That being said, its only rubbing the plastic inner fender and never more than a slight rub, the plastic liner doesn't show any real wear. Some point I would like to replace in inner plastic fenders with metal, they appear to give you more clearance where needed in the wheel wells.

Its not enough of a rub to say "oh crap", but you hear it when it happens.

PS. I love the Nitto grip, great tire, but heavy as hell!

 

[Gmanjeeper]

Great question I have the 2 Door and was thinking next set of tires would be the 315 70 17 size...originally thought I would add the AEV 2" spacer lift but after I saw this video I was not sure. The video guy did eventually add a lift not sure if entire lift or spacer. You got to love the 2dr!?

Are you still running your JLR with stock suspension etc? i have had several big jeeps, including a JKUR with 35s and a 2” lift and a JTR with a 2.5” lift and 37s. My wife and I are now in our early 70s and not tall so I think we are done with big jeeps. As a result I bought the JLR which I think looks good without a lift (unlike, in my opinion, the four door ad JT). Also we do not do any heavy duty rock crawling or extreme trails. In fact, we probably only take it off road a week or two a year. My plan is to take it to Colorado and maybe Moab and hope I am ok totally stock On easy to moderate trails. If that does not work I will probably try something like a 35x11.5 or a 315 70 with or without a very mild lift.

 

[dchemphill1]

Are you still running your JLR with stock suspension etc? i have had several big jeeps, including a JKUR with 35s and a 2” lift and a JTR with a 2.5” lift and 37s. My wife and I are now in our early 70s and not tall so I think we are done with big jeeps. As a result I bought the JLR which I think looks good without a lift (unlike, in my opinion, the four door ad JT). Also we do not do any heavy duty rock crawling or extreme trails. In fact, we probably only take it off road a week or two a year. My plan is to take it to Colorado and maybe Moab and hope I am ok totally stock On easy to moderate trails. If that does not work I will probably try something like a 35x11.5 or a 315 70 with or without a very mild lift.

I am still running my 2dr Rubicon stock with no lift and 33's. Have had no issues with moderate trails in Colorado and Moab. Fins and Things has been toughest challenge for me and then Jeep. We made it with only one rub on the hitch d ring! When time I will see about the lift and bigger tires and the cost? Hoping to head to badlands and black hills this next summer...

 

[Gmanjeeper]

I am still running my 2dr Rubicon stock with no lift and 33's. Have had no issues with moderate trails in Colorado and Moab. Fins and Things has been toughest challenge for me and then Jeep. We made it with only one rub on the hitch d ring! When time I will see about the lift and bigger tires and the cost? Hoping to head to badlands and black hills this next summer...

Thanks. For fun I just got done putting my JLR up on 3” blocks. Getting in and out we’re definitely different, getting out especially as I basically had to hop out. My wife certainly did not like it. It would probably be ok for a week or two while on trails but would probably be pretty much a pain for 90 percent of the time I drive it! Both my wife and I really like the two door. With the 2.0 it is very peppy amd much more maneuverable than my most recent JTR. In fact, I think of it as a Jeep sports car! Plus I am very happy with the gas mileage. We live in Arkansas, but bought it in Lincoln, NE. Drove home from Lincoln and got around 20 mpg driving 75 mph, vs my JTR which got 16 and below.

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