Upgrade Planning…

[Jeep4Life0112]

Hey everyone,

Over the past couple weeks I have finally been able to depart pavement and begin exploring what my 2018 JLUR can do off road. Our family recently moved from the Midwest to Colorado which has greatly increased the number of exciting off-road opportunities at my disposal. In the last 3 weekends I have run Fins and Things as well as Imogene Pass.

With my Rubicon up until now being completely stock, and with my factory tires nearing end of life, I’d like to price out some options for 35‘s, a lift, and anything else needed for his upgrade (tailgate reinforcement, geometry reconfigured front end?)

Curious to know ballpark what I would need to set aside for all of this end of day. Would love to begin tackling more challenging terrain in the years to come (e.g. Hell’s Revenge) and figured I would start pricing out my options.

Thanks in advance!

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[Matanzas]

Stay strong - stay stock!

 

[my_0range_crush]

Do you plan to keep the Jeep? You can spend between $5k and $100k.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Honestly, some 1/2” spacers might allow you to clear the 35’s offroad. No meed to do anything to the tailgate unless you go aftermarket wheels.

 

[GATORB8]

Let’s take this from two other directions.

What do you feel needs to be improved to make you feel more comfortable leveling up?

What budget range are you comfortable with?

 

[Shibadog]

A stock Jeep is pretty darn capable, esp with good tires (you stated your were worn). A Rubicon even more so. Ranger While you can modify to your hearts content, know that there are no free lunches. Lift and bigger tires will decrease fuel economy and with heavier tires and more height will affect on road handling (maybe ok, maybe not). I’d strongly urge you to see what you actually need, if anything, before starting the lift/wheels/tires thing. I’ve traveled a number of places in Colorado in my S with limited slip and good Rubicon take off tires/wheels. I am not an “extreme” rock crawler, but I’ve been some pretty cool places in my JL and my old ‘oi TJ. I never had the $$ or the desire to try and destroy my rig, but some folks do. (Different strokes for different strokes). A winch and some skid plates may be all you neeed for where you want to go. IF you go the lift route, get something decent-suspension is not the place for el cheapo ACME parts. Guys on here can give you solid recommendations on the better units

 

[2nd 392]

If you can accept ~ 34 in tires instead of ~34&1/2 in tires called 35’s look at 285/75 . According to several threads they have no problems, work perfectly (they look a lot bigger than 33’s in posted pictures) Toyo OC AT3’s come in a C rating @ 59 lbs

 

[Jeep4Life0112]

Do you plan to keep the Jeep? You can spend between $5k and $100k.

Yes I plan to keep the Jeep for quite some time. I have 56k miles on it (30k+ first year of ownership in 2018-19, far less in subsequent years with a remote job). Hoping to price out 35's and a 2.5" lift kit.

 

[Jeep4Life0112]

A stock Jeep is pretty darn capable, esp with good tires (you stated your were worn). A Rubicon even more so. Ranger While you can modify to your hearts content, know that there are no free lunches. Lift and bigger tires will decrease fuel economy and with heavier tires and more height will affect on road handling (maybe ok, maybe not). I’d strongly urge you to see what you actually need, if anything, before starting the lift/wheels/tires thing. I’ve traveled a number of places in Colorado in my S with limited slip and good Rubicon take off tires/wheels. I am not an “extreme” rock crawler, but I’ve been some pretty cool places in my JL and my old ‘oi TJ. I never had the $$ or the desire to try and destroy my rig, but some folks do. (Different strokes for different strokes). A winch and some skid plates may be all you neeed for where you want to go. IF you go the lift route, get something decent-suspension is not the place for el cheapo ACME parts. Guys on here can give you solid recommendations on the better units

Really great feedback, and you bring up a good point. The primary reason I am looking to upgrade is to reduce the probability of damaging the underside of my rig rendering it inoperable on the trail. I should start researching skid plate protection to see if maybe that is all I need. Thanks for the info.

 

[Jeep4Life0112]

Let’s take this from two other directions.

What do you feel needs to be improved to make you feel more comfortable leveling up?

What budget range are you comfortable with?

The biggest driver for me is confidence going off road. I understand that the more trails I take on, and the better I get at line picking (and my wife at spotting), confidence will improve. I have yet to damage my rig on these 2 beginner trails, but was hoping that leveling up would further reduce my chances of disaster. Skid plates are something I'll also begin investigating.

Budget: Would love to see what is possible in the $3k-$5k range. Also would like to learn the experienced disadvantages others have found with skewing to the lower end of that window to accomplish the lift.

 

[my_0range_crush]

Yes I plan to keep the Jeep for quite some time. I have 56k miles on it (30k+ first year of ownership in 2018-19, far less in subsequent years with a remote job). Hoping to price out 35's and a 2.5" lift kit.

Okay awesome. So just know that when you start modifying your rig that it’s gonna snow ball. Like I see that you want skids. Well that’s gonna add extra weight and will lower your ride hight so you might wanna look at a taller lift then a 2.5 now I started off with a 2.5 and a set of 35’s when I began but I’ve done a lot more since then. Just remember “Buy once Cry once” don’t cheap out on things because you’re just gonna regret it later down the road. Especially if it’s not the part you wanted.

 

[GATORB8]

The biggest driver for me is confidence going off road. I understand that the more trails I take on, and the better I get at line picking (and my wife at spotting), confidence will improve. I have yet to damage my rig on these 2 beginner trails, but was hoping that leveling up would further reduce my chances of disaster. Skid plates are something I'll also begin investigating.

Budget: Would love to see what is possible in the $3k-$5k range. Also would like to learn the experienced disadvantages others have found with skewing to the lower end of that window to accomplish the lift.

I will say that sliders (frame mounted) and front bumper are big drivers in your ability to drop/run into something and not worry about damage. You don't have to go crazy cost wise (although the high end stuff is usually nicer).

Tire prices have gone up, but let's base an example on a set of 35" KO2s and a $175/wheel budget. Discount shows total installed with tax around $3,300. If you kept your stock wheels, that's closer to $2,200, but you may need wheel spacers for suspension clearance.

You'll want 2" of additional bump stop to allow full stuff clearance. You'll want at least that in ride height lift to maintain your stock uptravel.

Parts wise, you can chose from anything from a $500 spacer lift with shock extensions to $3,000+ options. A big component of lift price will be installation (whether that's free dollars from DIY, or possibly $750+ for a shop install).

The JL suspension is pretty modular, so you don't necessarily have to bite off everything at once. Most of the good manufacturers sell an entry level kit that you can upgrade part by part as you evaluate your needs down the road. Parts like track bars and control arms can be added with a couple bolts a piece with the Jeep sitting on the ground.

If you're looking for an entry level kit, you'll want one with a minimum of:
1. Springs/Spacers to lift
2. Bump stops to protect shocks and establish stuffed tire clearance
3. Shocks or Shock Extensions to regain lost downtravel. A correctly sized shock will increase your downtravel compared to simply a shock extension, increasing "flex".
4. Sway bar links to prevent inversion in front and sway/shock clearance in the rear.

At least some form of caster correction is highly recommended, a pair of control arms in the front is usually the best way to get that.

From personal experience, it's more cost effective to go with a kit with both springs and shocks if there's a chance you'll go that way down the road anyway.

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