XR with 37's and Spacers - What am I missing?

[Retired Jeeper]

I have a JLURXR arriving soon. I want to run 37's off-road with the least lift necessary. I'm old and can't scramble into lifted Jeeps like I once could - ha! Given that a standard JLUR can run 37's with 2-2.5" lift (and appropriate bump stops) and the XR comes with a 1.5" lift, my "plan" is to add 1" spacers in front, 1/2" spacers in the rear, and put on some Bilstein 5160's for a 2-3" lift. I have some stackable 1/2" bump stop extensions to use as needed. Does this seem doable? Anyone running this kind of set-up? Do I need longer sway bar links? Constructive criticism and ideas from others who have explored this approach are welcomed. I used the following chart to determine which Bilsteins to consider. Thanks!

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[kah.mun.rah]

Probably too late but curious, if the goal was 37s why not save the $4K on the XR package and use that money to buy the right lift/suspension for 37s instead? As far as the spacers, the rear is where the rubbing occurs with 37s so you might want to plan on at least 1" of spacers in the rear. If you want to avoid spacers and keep the center of gravity as low as possible, another option is replacing the inner fenders and gaining 2"-3" of tire clearance that way.

 

[Retired Jeeper]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Good points about the cost of the package considering I want to go 37's. Believe me, I debated that for quite a while. I felt the steel knuckles, larger brakes, etc., also added value and if I could get by with only a small spacer lift I'd be as well off as I'll keep the KO2s and stock wheels for use when I'm not wanting to run more aggressive 37's.

I'd read on here that the rear could be the trouble spot so may have to re-think the .5" spacer as you suggest.

 

[AnnDee4444]

I have a JLURXR arriving soon. I want to run 37's off-road with the least lift necessary. I'm old and can't scramble into lifted Jeeps like I once could - ha! Given that a standard JLUR can run 37's with 2-2.5" lift (and appropriate bump stops) and the XR comes with a 1.5" lift, my "plan" is to add 1" spacers in front, 1/2" spacers in the rear, and put on some Bilstein 5160's for a 2-3" lift. I have some stackable 1/2" bump stop extensions to use as needed. Does this seem doable? Anyone running this kind of set-up? Do I need longer sway bar links? Constructive criticism and ideas from others who have explored this approach are welcomed. I used the following chart to determine which Bilsteins to consider. Thanks!

Depending on how much available bump travel your XR currently has, you might be able to get away with just extending the bump stops. The front only needs 5/8" (1/2" will probably work fine), but I'm not sure about the rear (likely 1" or less). Consider the Metalcloak Durospring bump stops, which are supposed to add an inch of bump stop but provide a more progressive bump.

You could also leave the suspension stock and gut the fenders (or aftermarket fenders).

 

[NChap89]

Probably too late but curious, if the goal was 37s why not save the $4K on the XR package and use that money to buy the right lift/suspension for 37s instead? As far as the spacers, the rear is where the rubbing occurs with 37s so you might want to plan on at least 1" of spacers in the rear. If you want to avoid spacers and keep the center of gravity as low as possible, another option is replacing the inner fenders and gaining 2"-3" of tire clearance that way.

I'd argue getting the 4.56 gears and front axle with steel knuckles is worth the $4k alone. The factory XR lift offers several suspension improvements that when combined with proper lift springs and shocks, makes for a solid set up for 37's.

I am adding 2.5" Rock Krawler springs and Metalcloak shocks to my Rubicon XR

edit: went with Bilstein shocks

 

[Steph1]

Actually, if 35s only slightly rub on a stock Rubicon, a 37 should fit without a lift on an XR.

If you go on the XR forum, a few have done it and I believe it looks even better with 37s than 35s, as I find the XR a bit overlifted for 35s…. In my eyes, lookwise.

 

[Zandcwhite]

The suspension "lift" is the lowest value part of the XR package in my opinion. In my experience all stock springs are too soft when you add weight from winch, tools, recovery gear, and camping gear. I hoped the XR springs would be better at load handling than our 2019 JLUR stock springs, nope. Also all stock shocks are too short to allow proper flex. The gears, thicker front axle tubes, steel knuckles, and brakes all make the XR much better equipped for 37's than the standard Rubicon. New shocks and fenders/ liners would be the route I'd suggest for the op to keep the lowest possible ride height. We went shocks, LCAs, sway links, and 3.5" metalcloak springs as I like the higher ride height and the load handling is much better than stock springs with a spacer.

 

[Retired Jeeper]

I appreciate the insight folks are providing.

I failed to mention that I also have the longer Mopar LCA for installation. Will see how it all works and if something isn't right I'll go a different direction. May need to pursue different springs and adjustable LCAs to get the desired clearance and caster.

Does the XR come with extended sway bar links?

Are the axles centered on the XR from the factory? I know 1.5" shouldn't move them over much, but adding lift via spacer could start to change things. I'm not opposed to going with adj. trackbars if needed to keep things lined up.

My current JKUR suspension has pieces from AEV, JKS, Teraflex, Fox, (and maybe more) and it has served me well both on- and off-road. If I must, I'll cobble together parts to make the JL just as good if not better.

 

[Zandcwhite]

The axles are centered, I know the rear bracket is also raised for better roll center. The sway bar links aren't extended. You can swap the rears to the front and just buy extended rears. I am with you on upgrading the pieces you need for your use vs buying an off the shelf kit which will likely still leave you with a couple things you'd want to change anyway.

 

[Electrified]

I'd argue getting the 4.56 gears and front axle with steel knuckles is worth the $4k alone. The factory XR lift offers several suspension improvements that when combined with proper lift springs and shocks, makes for a solid set up for 37's.

I am adding 2.5" Rock Krawler springs and Metalcloak shocks to my Rubicon XR.

Very interested to see how this works out. I want to fit 37''s on my 392XR and avoiding a full blown lift would save a ton of $$.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Very interested to see how this works out. I want to fit 37''s on my 392XR and avoiding a full blown lift would save a ton of $$.

3.5" metalcloak springs, bilstien 5100 shocks, adjustable front lcas, and longer sway bar end links. Works great so far and flexes much better than it did stock. Still on the stock 35's for now but plenty of room for 37's when the time comes. Huge improvement for just over a grand.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I'd argue getting the 4.56 gears and front axle with steel knuckles is worth the $4k alone. The factory XR lift offers several suspension improvements that when combined with proper lift springs and shocks, makes for a solid set up for 37's.

I am adding 2.5" Rock Krawler springs and Metalcloak shocks to my Rubicon XR.

I'd argue that with 37s you want at least 4.88s and with 37s I would rather apply that $4K to a HD front axle with a 4.88 ratio, stronger knuckles, thicker wall housing, chromoly axle shafts, better pinion angle, and no FAD. The only suspension items with the XR are coil springs and shocks which would get modified/replaced with 37s anyway.

 

[AcesandEights]

This may not make sense to most, but I'd put the 37" tires on it and see where they rub. Then I'd see how much lift I need. I'd buy the smallest lift I needed to clear (or only slightly rub) based on the tires I want to run.

 

[Electrified]

3.5" metalcloak springs, bilstien 5100 shocks, adjustable front lcas, and longer sway bar end links. Works great so far and flexes much better than it did stock. Still on the stock 35's for now but plenty of room for 37's when the time comes. Huge improvement for just over a grand.

Not sure if the 392XR lift is any different than other XR lifts but how much height did you gain with the 3.5" springs? Looks awesome! Any side shots?

 

[Zandcwhite]

Not sure if the 392XR lift is any different than other XR lifts but how much height did you gain with the 3.5" springs? Looks awesome! Any side shots?

Right at 2" over stock. Camping/ wheeling this weekend so I'll get some more pics. Costco parking lot side shot is all I got right now.

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