Somebody talk me down from the ledge!

[xcc_rider]

I found a nice set of Black Rhino Overland wheels for cheap.

I (thought) i had already decided on 33" tires but i did something stupid. I went on the Extreme Terrain site to see what the wheels would look like on my bare stock JL.
Edit: JL Sport, 2.0t, auto 8 sp, 3.45 gears. All stock for now...
I found the wheel page that compared different size tires and lift combinations on the same vehicle and I'm REALLY liking the 35's on it the best.
I know if I decide on the 35's I'll be jumping down the rabbit hole big time!
Probably bigger time than I ever planned.

I dont intend to be crawling down nasty boulder trails. My plans, (considering I'm an old fart with some non original parts) are to be on mostly fire roads, desert roads/trails and some slightly more technical trails with no boulder hopping.

The link below is probably the most technical I'd be doing again. (I did it a few times in the far distant past on a mountain bike, but was too exhausted to fish!)


Based on this trail/road, are the 33's sufficient or do I really need to jump down that very, very deep rabbit hole?

Please! Someone talk me down off the ledge before my wife starts seeing the packages pile up at the door!

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[Sportacus]

37s or go home/leave this site

Seriously though, go with 35s. They will work on a barely modified wrangler just fine without needing a bunch of more upgrades. Nobody ever regrets going bigger, only not big enough.

 

[Decreasing Dave]

You didn't specify your model and engine in your Jeep. So, for reference, my brother has a Sport, not even a Sport S. He has to crank his windows. He has the 2.0T engine. He still has the 3.45 gears but he added the LSD, which doesn't matter for tire size. He immediately installed 35/12.50-17s on 17x9 wheels. He added the Terra Flex 2" puck lift on his stock springs and changed the shocks (longer, or add shock extensions). His Jeep wheels great and drives great on the road. He tyipically does minor stuff like you, but recently I took him on Gold Mountain in Big Bear, CA. I think it's a 4/10, maybe a 5/10, but no higher. He did awesome there too.

My point is, the rabbit hole you're looking at isn't very deep for 35s. I say go for it.

 

[AmericanPatriot100]

I also have a sport 2dr soft top manual 3.6 v6 with LSD and 35” (255/85/17) MTBBATs. There is a trail at the local orv park that is a 7/10 with no bypasses. I did it on 35s with rubicon takeoff suspension! And there was also a brand new rubicon on stock 33s that followed the group and did fantastic on the trail. There were some big rocks, but with a good spotter and good tire placement we all got through it. I did turtle on a rock that I rolled right under my crossmember and high centered but winched out easily! But if you stick around here long enough you’ll find that 37s are the new 35s. But 33s and 35s are sufficient for a lot of trails.

 

[2nd 392]

37s or go home/leave this site

Seriously though, go with 35s. They will work on a barely modified wrangler just fine without needing a bunch of more upgrades. Nobody ever regrets going bigger, only not big enough.

Yep, me …………

all but gave away the 33’s for $100 apiece and got 35’s because I don’t need no stinking 37’s

I’m gonna need bigger tires but they will have to wait this time

 

[xcc_rider]

This is starting to remind me of the first Lethal Weapon movie where Mel Gibson handcuffs himself to a hesitant guy on a ledge and encourages him as they jump together!

35's it is then. Semi OK for around town but definitely will need a lift for offroading.

After watching all the lift videos I know its the same amount of work to do pucks as a springs/shocks lift and I'm not one to do something half a$$ed so a decent 2-2.5" lift it is also.

I dont have anywhere to do the suspension work. My driveway looks like a ramp for a monster truck jump so can someone give me a rough idea of the cost to install a lift around So Cal?

My thoughts are 4-4.5 hrs @ $200/hr?

 

[Terrymo]

Labor for install on a full lift kit plus alignment and return for torque check in SoCal I’m going to say a ballpark $1200. Some shops will be lower.

Or join a local Jeep club and there are probably guys that would help you out for beer and pizza after you wheeled with them a few times.

Where in SoCal if you don’t mind saying. Someone might have a shop recommendation and a more solid idea of price,

 

[roaniecowpony]

Somebody talk me down from the ledge!


We all come here to see someone jump.

 

[Terrymo]

Somebody talk me down from the ledge!


We all come here to see someone jump.

 

[aeonixx1001]

There is no ledge my friend. I was running 33's on a 3 ½ lift and it just didn't look right. I went to the 35's and more than just looks happened. The 35's are fairly heavy and my mileage did suffer. The ride is so smooth now, it is like a Cadillac ride. I am a very happy camper. And it goes like hell over anything. One thing I have to say, DO NOT get wide wheels. I would go 35x12.5x17r on a 7.5 inch wheel. This keeps your wheels safe from Rock rash,Take a look at a Jeep with wide wheels and see how scuffed their wheels are. Its an old trick.

 

[xcc_rider]

I was torn between the Mel Gibson example or a picture of people gathered on the street shouting "JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!"

Im in Santa Clarita and am calling Jeeps Only for a quote. They're about 5 miles from me and have great reviews.

No wide rims for me. The Black Rocks are 8.0 W with 5.4+- backspace.

Been looking at lifts this morning and theres a crap load out there. I noticed Quadratec has the Mopar 2" lift for $899.
Not too bad compared to the others in the same price range. I read a post last week re the Mopar lift about the shocks being Mopar specific and not stocked anymore. I checked online and they're in-stock and available so I may give it a shot.
Otherwise I'll look for something around the same price range and go from there.

Thx for the push... (I think)

 

[Terrymo]

You might also post asking for costs and shop recommendations here
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/forums/socal.28/

 

[VKSheridan]

Your decision is already made mate, you’re just looking for people to agree with you. That said, spend the money on the 35’s you want and enjoy the decision. They’ll fit.

 

[Sportacus]

Where are you located?

is this a 2 door or 4 door?

i have a base sport 4 door. When i first got it i got rubicon take off springs and shocks and installed them myself. $200 for parts, some times you can get them free now.

for offroading, had to get Rubicon fender flares for when the jeep would flex. And thats only if you disconnect the front sway bar, which you should. You can do that with a pair of 18mm wrenches at the trail.

If yiu have a 2 door, a basic rubi lift on 35s will moke your jeep a semi-beast lol. Just get some rubicon springs off a 4 door. Heck, even an XR would be great. They all have different lift heights. Rubicon springs would be significantly cheaper than any real lift and still ride great. And look good.

 

[xcc_rider]

Interesting reply, I'll check into it.

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