NEW GUY SEEKS ADVICE

[COMBAT DOG]

I have an X, it already has most everything you would need. The only upgrade I am doing is better shocks. the 35" tires, for me, are perfect.

You must have the 4 door as it comes with 35’s, the 2 door I ordered comes with 33’s. I spent my day going to tire shops. Schwab, Frontier, Big O and Discount. All basically gave me the same information, except Schwab definitely sounded much more knowledgeable. In essence Schwab told me I can easily swap out for 35’s and use the upgraded wheels I unfortunately ordered. He recommended a 3” spring lift. Without the lift, with substantial articulation, the 35 will destroy something, I forgot what. He said the width of the tire (I assumed all 35’s are the same width), will determine the turning radius of the wrangler. The Schwab guy told me with a high quality tire and spring lift, “it should ride very close to stock.” He recommended A/T to reduce tire noise.

Because I am also concerned about wide tires throwing rocks and chipping the paint, he told me Schwab can either install fender extensions, or modify the fenders so that issue becomes moot.

I also learned Schwab can install bumpers and complete “most” exterior modifications. Everything Schwab does is under warranty. I thought Schwab only did tires and wheels!

I was notified today my Wrangler is in production que, so I have some time to decide, but after today, I am leaning toward 35’s and probably different wheels. Sadly I blew a grand on the attached.

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[COMBAT DOG]

I ordered the Mopar Spare tire reinforcement, but it may not be strong enough for a 35, which I was told will weigh 25 pounds more than stock. I will ask the Schwab guy, but any suggestions?

 

[JINO]

Enjoy the stock 33” tires and stock Shocks
and when starting to do more then you can start searching on parts
Stock runs smooth soon as you start upgrading tires shocks etc etc never will be same

ps : 12k for 35” + lift kit + shock ?? Over priced

That's correct.

I got wheels, 38" tires, metalcloak 3.5" with front driveshaft for 11k
It doesn't ride like a caddy, but it's very comfortable for a jeep. Best suspension I've ever rode on. Wheel/tire also affects comfort. (Lighter is better)

 

[COMBAT DOG]

That's correct.

I got wheels, 38" tires, metalcloak 3.5" with front driveshaft for 11k
It doesn't ride like a caddy, but it's very comfortable for a jeep. Best suspension I've ever rode on. Wheel/tire also affects comfort. (Lighter is better)

I own a 2019 Raptor with 35’s and a 2021 Raptor with 37’s. I ordered the 37, but in hindsight, I like the 35 tires much more. Just a couple of reasons;
my dogs egress and ingress is much easier on their bodies that is most important too me. Yes 33’s will be easier as well, but I mitigated the body stress with collapsible steps. The other reason is the 35 handles much better in curves at freeway speed. Lastly, the 35 is easier for me to see over the hood and easier to enter/exit…37’s are just too large for me!
I love the look of your Jeep and I want a similar look, but with smaller tires!

 

[Obviousbicycleco]

Drive it for a while before handing over $12k for changes that you may or may not want / need.

It'll definitely do fire trails without issue. Note that it will never ride on the street like a Cadillac. If they're selling you that line then you should seriously consider finding another shop.

If you're needing it to ride like a Cadillac then you might want to cancel your order.

As a Cadillac aficionado, we should really be asking what kind of Cadillac are we talking about here. A floating Fleetwood, Sedan Deville, or a sporty, carves winding roads CTS? My current JL on 33’s with factory suspension does ride better than all of my CTS4’s I have had…except over railroad tracks.

 

[m3reno]

I changed the shocks to Rancho 9000 XL adjustable shocks. I put it on setting 4 from the lowest setting and it drives like a Cadillac. I also added a larger rear sway bar and now it drives like a Cadillac but also handles like a sports car

 

[Biconia]

@COMBAT DOG
The bigger the better for Offroad , Of course if you air down you will feel like Caddy lol

i have 38” but my intentions with my Jeep is Rock crawling not a DD if my car where DD ill just enjoy the Stock , you will be amazed how capable this Rig is trust me

 

[Husky Man]

I greatly appreciate all the tips and everyone agrees I should wait for the mods. FYI, the Rubicon Extreme package was not on the two door build website and the salesman didn’t tell me about it, so I did not order it. I later learned 35’s come standard on the 4 door, but not the two door. I will focus on getting it ready for my dogs and a few road trips, one to Moab, which brings up another question. With my dogs, cargo space is nonexistent. I have read everything I can on roof rack options, and they appear to be limited. Yesterday I went to Rack Attack and discovered the attached. Does anyone have experience with the Yakama device? https://yakima.com/pages/exo
i need something that allows me to open the rear door for my dogs and carry about 120 pounds of cargo, including dog food.

Okay, I just read this post, and not the next four pages, so I may be repeating something already said.

I’m not familiar with that Yakima system, dayum it does look interesting. I will say that Yakima is very well known, and has a reputation for Quality products, but the price usually reflects that, but it doesn’t sound like that is a major concern for you.

One issue that I see is that for your usual fire breaks, it looks fine, but for Moab, it looks like it rides pretty low, and extending behind the Jeep, it will significantly reduce your departure angle. If you’re planning on camping out at Moab, if you set up camp, then wheel from and return to camp you could leave the rack at camp (at the risk of it being stolen) If you’re planning on moving camp daily, that rack would seriously restrict your wheeling abilities and options

As to trading your tires out, going from 33’s to 35’s, you’re only going to see a ONE inch increase in ground clearance and ride height, not Two inches.

Also if the Rubi comes with a 2” factory lift, you will be spending some money, but might not be seeing that much more lift depending on what package you opt for and what parts it comes with/replaces

There are a couple ways to look at waiting, especially until the warranty expires, or doing things upfront. If you wait until the warranty expires(100k, on my JLUSD), you will be putting money into a vehicle, well into it’s lifetime, and prices are only going UP, you will be paying More, and Enjoying it for a shorter amount of time. A lot depends on you KNOWING what you want, before making any substantial changes

Thank You for your Service,
and Enjoy your new ride

Doug

 

[COMBAT DOG]

Okay, I just read this post, and not the next four pages, so I may be repeating something already said.

I’m not familiar with that Yakima system, dayum it does look interesting. I will say that Yakima is very well known, and has a reputation for Quality products, but the price usually reflects that, but it doesn’t sound like that is a major concern for you.

One issue that I see is that for your usual fire breaks, it looks fine, but for Moab, it looks like it rides pretty low, and extending behind the Jeep, it will significantly reduce your departure angle. If you’re planning on camping out at Moab, if you set up camp, then wheel from and return to camp you could leave the rack at camp (at the risk of it being stolen) If you’re planning on moving camp daily, that rack would seriously restrict your wheeling abilities and options

As to trading your tires out, going from 33’s to 35’s, you’re only going to see a ONE inch increase in ground clearance and ride height, not Two inches.

Also if the Rubi comes with a 2” factory lift, you will be spending some money, but might not be seeing that much more lift depending on what package you opt for and what parts it comes with/replaces

There are a couple ways to look at waiting, especially until the warranty expires, or doing things upfront. If you wait until the warranty expires(100k, on my JLUSD), you will be putting money into a vehicle, well into it’s lifetime, and prices are only going UP, you will be paying More, and Enjoying it for a shorter amount of time. A lot depends on you KNOWING what you want, before making any substantial changes

Thank You for your Service,
and Enjoy your new ride

Doug

Thank you for your input!! I am not a camper, I spent much of my life sleeping underneath the stars. A three star hotel is roughing it for me. The Yakama would probably be used to go from my house to Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab (8 hours). I will take it off before exploring. You wrote something that I did not know, the Rubicon comes with a 2 inch lift. Les Schwab told me I will need a three inch lift to ensure 35’s do not rub. Do you happen to know if that is in addition to the stock two inch lift? He also indicated RE-gearing will not be required unless I rock crawl. I did not ask him the reason for gear change for rock crawling and not trail driving, do you happen to know the reason? Thanks for your time!

 

[Zandcwhite]

Thank you for your input!! I am not a camper, I spent much of my life sleeping underneath the stars. A three star hotel is roughing it for me. The Yakama would probably be used to go from my house to Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab (8 hours). I will take it off before exploring. You wrote something that I did not know, the Rubicon comes with a 2 inch lift. Les Schwab told me I will need a three inch lift to ensure 35’s do not rub. Do you happen to know if that is in addition to the stock two inch lift? He also indicated RE-gearing will not be required unless I rock crawl. I did not ask him the reason for gear change for rock crawling and not trail driving, do you happen to know the reason? Thanks for your time!

No need to regear for 35s, especially in a Rubicon for rock crawling. The 4-1 low range is plenty coupled with the 4.7-1 first gear of our awesome 8 speed auto. The combined 77-1 crawl ratio is more than enough grunt even in 38s in my experience. I wouldn't listen to les Schwab when it comes to Jeeps. Odds are they don't know the difference between a JK sport and a JL Rubicon. You won't need a lift for 35s either.

 

[COMBAT DOG]

No need to regear for 35s, especially in a Rubicon for rock crawling. The 4-1 low range is plenty coupled with the 4.7-1 first gear of our awesome 8 speed auto. The combined 77-1 crawl ratio is more than enough grunt even in 38s in my experience. I wouldn't listen to les Schwab when it comes to Jeeps. Odds are they don't know the difference between a JK sport and a JL Rubicon. You won't need a lift for 35s either.

im Getting a two door, does the same apply to both 2 and 4 doors? For clarification he said I made need a lift so it doesn’t rub during extreme left and right turns.

 

[Zandcwhite]

im Getting a two door, does the same apply to both 2 and 4 doors? For clarification he said I made need a lift so it doesn’t rub during extreme left and right turns.

The 2dr has lightly more clearance in the rear fenders as far as I understand. You should be fine. You definitely won't need 3". The XR package in the 4 doors is only 1.5" taller and comes with 35s. Our 2019 JLUR cleared 37s no problem with 2" of lift and our 2022 clears 39s with 3.5" The JL tire clearance is massive compared to all previous generations.

 

[COMBAT DOG]

Thanks for the info! I really did not want it to be 3” higher….again thanks!

 

[Husky Man]

How in the world did you learn this stuff??? To put it in perspective, in my world “assembly required” are the two worst words in the English language.

Don’t feel bad Combat Dog, I’m not a mechanic either, I understand a LITTLE bit more than you do, but I don’t have the mechanical skills, inclination or Patience to do much wrench twisting on the Jeep or the Boats. I did the simple bolt on stuff, Bumpers, winch, nerf bars( I guess they call them “Rock Sliders” now and lights, but I had the lift done by a shop.

I’m not too fR behind you age wise, I will be 59 in about a month

Yeah, I’m a Schwab fan too, to a point, pretty much just Tires/Wheels, I don’t have them do much else, there’s usually better options for other things. Schwab isn’t always the cheapest on tires and wheels, but they are EVERYWHERE out west, and their Customer Service is second to None. They have gone Above and Beyond for me so many times over the last 40 years, that the tires that came off my wrangler, and are now on my Wife’s Expedition, are some of the few tires here that aren’t from Schwab, and with the Jeep, the Expedition, the F350, two boats, a tandem axle open utility trailer and the enclosed trailer, there’s a lot of tires parked at my house


Doug

 

[COMBAT DOG]

I wish I was 59 again! I think the age thing started me on a Wrangler mission. Then a friend that was a Wrangler nut and who survived Abbey Gate was murdered during a robbery in SanDiego. Shortly afterward, I saw the attached, which sent me into overdrive! Unfortunately my skill set is worthless in the real world and until recently, I never had time to turn wrenches……it’s actually embarrassing! Even the forum stuff is new to me, but thus far I’m more than impressed with people willing to help!

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