that is AWESOME! damn, if Mad Max had that, the movie would have only been about 5 min long....
Overlanding with "stock" 4X4
- Thread starter Old Recon Marine
- Start date
Boostpowered
Rank VI
Member III
Thanks im just jabbing some fun there aint nuthin stock about it except for about 1/4 of the main frame
Explorer I
Throwing in more opinion :) Tires, tires, and tires. My group likes BFG ATs or MTs (siped) and we pay more for more plies (sharp rock defenders). I drive a stock Rubicon and it takes me places that my courage has to catch up to. As some have pointed out there is a world of different capabilities that you can get right off of the showroom floor and this is why I bought what I bought... Suspension and 35s someday? Yep. when I am tired of the Jeep's "road manners".
That said... DM me if you know (Jeep JK) suspensions and would like to help me find a high quality 2-3 inch lift (for 35s) that will not affect road travel.
Hope all is well!
That said... DM me if you know (Jeep JK) suspensions and would like to help me find a high quality 2-3 inch lift (for 35s) that will not affect road travel.
Hope all is well!
Boostpowered
Rank VI
Member III
Hydraulic steering and steering damper would help with road manners when going big, also make sure the alignment is correct and wheels are properly balanced. No matter what you do though there will be a trade off for comfort solid axle 4x4s have never been known for great road manners that is probably 1 reason most newer 4x4s are independent suspension in front.
Explorer I
Good stuff @Boostpowered! There are so many suspension options out there that I look for a bit and then wander off more confused. Just looking to get 35s on a JK for a little extra clearance - and well, it looks good too ;) We tend to overland in remote far away places so road manners are super important to me.
I know it's not a JK, but my 99 Grand Cherokee is solid axles, separate coil springs and shocks, so similar in that sense.
I used a simple 2 inch lift using Iron Rock Offroad springs, Crown Automotive perch isolators, Pro Comp 9000 series shocks and some Moog sway bar links. In my case I replaced the whole steering linkage and the entire tie rod - end, middle and end - because it was 20 years old.
Very happy with the results. Granted I'm not hardcore offloading with it, but I think it holds it's own. And after all that, get it aligned and you've got good road manners too.
I used a simple 2 inch lift using Iron Rock Offroad springs, Crown Automotive perch isolators, Pro Comp 9000 series shocks and some Moog sway bar links. In my case I replaced the whole steering linkage and the entire tie rod - end, middle and end - because it was 20 years old.
Very happy with the results. Granted I'm not hardcore offloading with it, but I think it holds it's own. And after all that, get it aligned and you've got good road manners too.
If any if that sounds good to you, I can put you in touch with KOLAK from the Jeep forums. He is an IRO dealer and knows his stuff
Boostpowered
Rank VI
Member III
There are quite a few lifts out there for your jeep to run 35" tires. ive seen 1" to 4" lifts with 35" tire and really it depends on which look you like. Personally id go with 2" it just looks right to me. Your stock suspension really wouldnt change much from what it already is unless you go wild and do like 6"+ lift and over 40" tire. Keep your sway bars attached if youve got em if not get some front and rear it will make a big difference in on road handling, offroad they wont hinder you much unless you plan on rock crawling and doing the more exterme stuff, in that case just unhook em and zip tie out of the way. You can go as cheap as some $40 spacers ( they work but things arent optimal) to the high dollar race suspensions or anywhere in between, its really hard to just say get this product not being in your shoes.
I work at a Jeep shop and have seen/used many suspension kits and most were installed on JKs ( I have an older TJ unlimited that is way overbuilt for what I use it for at the moment). In my opinion AEV makes the best kits for the JK to maintain road manners. to run a 35" tires with stock fenders ( without any tire rubbing on fenders at full flex) I would say a 3.5" lift. If you wanted to keep it lower I would suggest flat fenders and a 2.5" but also get the geometry correction brackets( I know they are a control arm drop bracket and some people don't like anything that hangs lower but they really don't hang any lower than the fuel tank skid.). They ride the closest to stock or better and hold up over the long term as they give you less nose dive on hard braking, and less body roll because it relocates the control arms to near stock location. and don't take this as a sales pitch because I cant sell in the US because I cant ship there ( cost effectively).
I would say a 2.5" lift with flat fenders and correction brackets, leave out their sway bar relocation brackets and get some disconnects and you have a very capable rig for more than your needs.
Explorer I
Awesome info, thank you so much! I have a Rubicon with electronic sway bar disconnect and want to keep that. Will look up AEV and see what they have to offer!
Right, sorry I forgot you said Rubicon. Also they did just shut down as of the 23rd for virus control. it may be a while before they start shipping product out but by the sounds of things you aren't really in a hurry. Also by all means, wheel it stock as long as you can, because a driver who can fit a stock rig through will always be better even with a lifted rig.
Explorer I
No hurry, trying to wear out those factory BFG MTs first ;) Then get rid of Rubicon rims and get some nice plain steel rims, new tires and suspension. Thanks for the awesome advice!!!
obviously this may be subject to opinion as well. If you want to gear more toward rock crawling you want softer springs ( rock crawler, or teraflrex) a little more budget friendly but slightly less ride ( rubicon express) but keep in mind you get what you pay for when it comes to suspension. steer clear of rough country because they sag quickly and procomp I have seen issues with broken springs and rough ride, and skyjacker rusts as soon as you put it on.
Explorer I
Great advice, thank you!
>If you want to gear more toward rock crawling you want softer springs
Probably not, its my daily driver.
>but keep in mind you get what you pay for
Exactly what I was afraid of ;) But I tend to buy quality so it will last.
I have seen them rust quickly through our shop but never owned a set. That being said we are in the rust belt and the stuff they put down on the roads here are through nearly new looking floor pans I about 5 years.
Prestige buddy. Lot's of people think they need to have the biggest, newest, or best.
That's unfortunate. Are Bilsteins better than Pro Comps for my '99 WJ? I dont know. But I do know I'm happy with my Pro Comps. I'm not a hard core rock climber. It should be about what's right for you and not a contest. Although I can see guiding someone who hasn't followed best practice, and there needs to be standards of build quality and safety, I cant see shouting someone down because they have DuraTracs and I have BFG A/T.
Explorer I
@Trail_pilot I checked out the AEV stuff and the 3.5 SC lift looks interesting. Thank you!
