Where to start?!?

[minisoda]

After months of planning for a Rubicon, I decided it would be really fun and less expensive to find a cheaper used Sport and customize it. So. I have a relatively new JLU in Sport in Sting Gray sitting in the garage. It needs new wheels and 35" tires ASAP. I'm also planning aftermarket fenders as I'm not a fan of the Sport fenders. Can anyone recommend some sizes that work and how much lift I need? I could take it to the dealership, but that just sounds like a way to get screwed on price. Appreciate your thoughts!

It's a fun vehicle, so I'm fine with a more aggressive and faster wearing tread. I am going for a bold look.

Thanks!

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[Jerrybizzle]

5x5 bolt pattern
17 inch wheels are most common
35x12.5 17 or 315 70 17 tires
2-3 inch lift will work for 35s especially with aftermarket flares. Aftermarket flares will more than likely require aftermarket inner fenders as well, so factor that in as well.

google 17x9 5x5 to get your wheel search started. With the less wide sport axles you’ll want -12 offset aka 4.5 backspacing
Google or eBay search 35 12.5 17 for tire search
Let me know if you want me to do any of this for you as I’m laid up with a torn Achilles and would rather help you spend your money than mine. Haha

I almost bought a super base carry over 2018 in August 2019 that had been on the lot for 9+ months but it sold the week I sold my Tacoma and was ready for a wrangler so I went with a rubicon.

 

[minisoda]

Thanks! Did a bunch of research and currently looking at the following:

- Nitto Ridge Grappler in 315/70/17
- Fuel Coupler wheels 17x9
- Rough Country 2.5” lift kit with N3 shocks (extreme terrain sells this)

It looks like Discount Tire might even have the tires and wheels in stock to make things a little easier.

Thoughts on that combo? Also want to replace the fenders.. I really like the Rubicon OEM fenders, so will start looking for a pair of take offs.

 

[blnewt]

Make sure you get the proper offset w/ those wheels, you don't want them poking like a skateboard or tucked too far inside to cause interference w/ your suspension.

 

[Jerrybizzle]

That setup sounds like it would work great. I don’t have any idea of ride quality with that lift but I did run the rough country spacer setup for 3000 miles and it rides very similar to stock seeing as you’re still running factory shocks and springs.
I think extreme terrain even does a sport build similar to what you’re looking for.
Discount runs a sale pretty much every holiday and random flash sales as well where they give rebates if you can wait.

 

[Discount Tire]

The set-up you outlined looks good from this end, Aaron - thank you for thinking of us!

 

[minisoda]

Nice timing - I just got off the phone with our local Discount Tire shop. Prices were better than I found online and they really knew their stuff... ordered it up and arriving next week!

 

[Discount Tire]

Nice timing - I just got off the phone with our local Discount Tire shop. Prices were better than I found online and they really knew their stuff... ordered it up and arriving next week!

That's awesome. We appreciate your business. It's nice to hear your local Discount Tire store took good care of you. Please post us a photo of your new set up when you get it installed.

 

[minisoda]

That setup sounds like it would work great. I don’t have any idea of ride quality with that lift but I did run the rough country spacer setup for 3000 miles and it rides very similar to stock seeing as you’re still running factory shocks and springs.
I think extreme terrain even does a sport build similar to what you’re looking for.
Discount runs a sale pretty much every holiday and random flash sales as well where they give rebates if you can wait.

I wonder if there is any reason to replace the shocks or if I should just do the less expensive spacer kit?

 

[Jerrybizzle]

If you like the ride and won’t be doing a ton of off roading they are great. I actually went to Moab when I had my spacer kit. Did fine there. Only time I ever had an issue was when I was flexing and popped an extended sway bar link bolt. Mine is a rubicon and had sway bar disconnected. The sway bar end links are just a bolt vs factory where they pivot on the end as well. This is the shot as I was just posing on a rock of when it popped. Just replaced the bolt and good to go. Nothing damaged.

View attachment 279276

 

[WheelsASAP.com]

Definitely start with wheels and tires. I'll change the Jeep completely. Then you can go on the Amazon accessory spending spree

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