21 JLU Willys Lift Question

[etoften]

Hey all,
New to me 21 JLU pavement princess that will occasionally pull her hair up and explore the fire service roads. I would like to put a little lift and tire upgrade on it just to standout from the stock beach jeeps all over the Eastern North Carolina coast. Has to mild with no regearing, additional suspension mods, or change o on stock ride feel so my wife still feels very comfortable driving it also. Shared 2nd vehicle for us both. After much reading in these forums i am thinking about teraflex 1.5 spacers and 34 x 11.5 (or metric equivalent) on stock rims. What do you think? And if I do that package does the Willy's need the bumpstops that the sport package does? Willys has sport springs and fenders but ruby red shocks? Thinking it won't need shock brackets???

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[The Last Cowboy]

It may, or may not have exactly Sport springs, because the red shocks wouldn't work well otherwise. The '23 and down Willys spring numbers are kind of a blur between Rubicon and Sport, depending on equipment.

34s may be the outer limit of where you can push it with 3.45 gears. I put 285/70/17s on mine, and still see 6th, and didn't take a beating on fuel mileage. It seems that the turbo 4 responds better to bigger tires with 3.45s.

I think you can get away with 34's if you don't see much rugged terrain, plus you still have 4 low, if needed. Just remember, that the taller the tire, the less meaningful 4 low is with the standard transfer case.

Some people do 35s with 3.45 gears. I would not recommend that at all.

The 1.5" spacers will get you where you want though. Make sure to get the entire kit with the shock extenders. You may want to consider new shocks though, as the stock red ones will wear down and/or leak after awhile, even with only pavement use.

 

[6th Floor Mule]

Hey all,
New to me 21 JLU pavement princess that will occasionally pull her hair up and explore the fire service roads. I would like to put a little lift and tire upgrade on it just to standout from the stock beach jeeps all over the Eastern North Carolina coast. Has to mild with no regearing, additional suspension mods, or change o on stock ride feel so my wife still feels very comfortable driving it also. Shared 2nd vehicle for us both. After much reading in these forums i am thinking about teraflex 1.5 spacers and 34 x 11.5 (or metric equivalent) on stock rims. What do you think? And if I do that package does the Willy's need the bumpstops that the sport package does? Willys has sport springs and fenders but ruby red shocks? Thinking it won't need shock brackets???

@The Last Cowboy is spot on. I ran the same combo on my Sahara several years ago . . . . TF 1.5 spacer, 34’s, stock/Rubi wheels, etc. I can’t comment on your Rubi shocks, but I know the shorter Sahara shocks were overextended and rode like crap IMO. I added some longer shocks and have been happy since. I’m still on the original bump stops without issue, but I did add some Rubi fenders. I’ve swapped out stuff since, but here’s an old pic appropriate for the upcoming holiday . . .

 

[etoften]

@The Last Cowboy is spot on. I ran the same combo on my Sahara several years ago . . . . TF 1.5 spacer, 34’s, stock/Rubi wheels, etc. I can’t comment on your Rubi shocks, but I know the shorter Sahara shocks were overextended and rode like crap IMO. I added some longer shocks and have been happy since. I’m still on the original bump stops without issue, but I did add some Rubi fenders. I’ve swapped out stuff since, but here’s an old pic appropriate for the upcoming holiday . . .

Thanks for the feedback. I think this post as well as others have combined me to drop down to 33s instead of 34s for the sake of less worry.

@6th Floor Mule your ride looks awesome. Just to be clear, that pic is 34s on the TF lift and all else stock?

 

[etoften]

@6th Floor Mule Another question. Did you experience any ride quality change in the TF spacer lift? I have heard everything from no change, to a bit firmer, to increased wandering due to caster change. Thoughts appropriated.

 

[6th Floor Mule]

@6th Floor Mule your ride looks awesome. Just to be clear, that pic is 34s on the TF lift and all else stock?

Yes, correct. . . and thank you!

 

[The Last Cowboy]

At 29k miles, one of the rear stock red shocks makes a thunk/pop noise from time to time when I start moving from stopped position. Looks like new shocks will be on the list.

I don't recommend anyone reusing any of the stock shocks that come on the JLs. If you have to put a wrench one them to remove them, put new ones on and save the inevitable hassle that will come in the near future.

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