Spend Thad's Money...

OK guys, here's the deal.

Pretend your current set-up is this....
Stock rims, 7.00x15 tires 29" diameter. Springs are original and flat. I get some tire rubbing when crossed up, and would like to reduce that as much as possible. Jeep will get street time as well as trail time. Might see some snow/mud, but mostly loose gravel and dirt. You are NOT going for that "monster Jeep" look, and wouldn't mind it looking mostly stock with a slightly more "modern" stance. Oh, and you'd prefer black rims. (Don't care for bling)

If this were your situation, and you had the cash, how would you handle the following?

Stock replacement springs, or a mild 2.5" lift? You're not sure, but you suspect that new replacement springs may give a good lift by itself.

Which rims? You are kind of concerned about using stock rims with modern (tubeless) tires. You are also considering offset to help with tire rubbing.

Which tires? You are concerned about going larger than 31" due to tire rubbing.


I would be eternally gratefull if you would post links and reasons to items you suggest.

I haven't a clue on this (beat to death) topic and would appreciate any help I can get.

TIA

 

I'd "spring" for a 2.5" lift kit w/ new shocks. That's the only thing you know you'll pretty much have to pay retail price for. Rims? Shop around and keep your nose on the local paper to see what turns up. If you go larger tires, you'll need (& like) the lift anyhow, so pull the trigger on that first and buy a little time to figure out the rest.

 

My vote would be to stay stock all the way. Keep your bucks in your pocket.

Lifts and big tires can be messy at highway speeds.....

 

Can hardly call 45mph "highway" speed.
Not looking for huge lift/tires, just a little taller/bigger to allow me some better wheelin'.

 

LOL, mine too Patrick.

 

My thoughts are along the same line as yours, as far as realistically what I want my jeep to do with the available, disposable income.
Here is what I did:
Replaced the shock absorbers.
Bought BFG ATs. They do better in snow, wear better, you can hear yourself think when doing 45, and almost as good in mud as MTs. (which are actually a better overall tire than MTs, they just dont look as cool as 35 inch fat MTs)
Left my springs stock.
When you increase the width of the footprint, with offset rims and wide tires, you severly stress the bearings, which were barely adequate in design for stock attachments, and with regular maintainence.
Not wishing to offend anyone, I would rather get there * with basically semi stock running gear, than spend $4 to 8k on a partial cosmetic upgrade, and break down on the way.
Once you start, it never ends. There is always a weak part.

Used the disposable income to fix stuff that matters in terms of reliability, rather than the appearance, coolness factor.
Simply my two cents is the higher you raise it, the easier it turns over. The fatter the tires, the faster an axle shreds at the drop of a hat, er uh, foot.

 

Go with a 2.5" lift and a 32X10.50 or 32X9.50 tire. I run 32X10.50 swampers on kelsey hayes wheels and they do rub the spring, but just before full lock. The new radial tires and a good alignment/tie rod end replacement will allow you to easily run 'highway' speeds.

 

remember that, it's not how much you make, but how much you keep! go stock. this way you will have more $ for maintenance and actual driving.

 

The $ sink filosify: during the rebuild, I will only upgrade parts if; there is a genuine safety concern or the upgraded part is easier to obtain and/or less expensive that the stock part, and the modification can be easily reversed when I decide to take to on Barrett Jackson's. so far most of the parts have wound up being slight improvements over the stock components and the jeep retains a mostly stock appearance...I am guided by the eternal force (ebay) $.02

 

I guess it depends on the look you want. Both of mine have 2.5" lift spring with 1/2" shackle lift. (see avatar) The Flatty has 33 x 12.5 and the CJ5 has 32 x 12.5. I like both sizes of tires but lean more toward liking the 32's better.

 

OK guys, you have given me some good things to ponder.

At this point, I'm thinking I'll just replace the springs with "stock" replacements to acheive the original stance. But I'm still somewhat
hazy on my tire/rim situation....

I'm leaning towards the BFG AT or MT, but will they work on my stock rims, or should I get a modern rim for safety?

Any specific rims you guys would recommend? (Links pleez )

Will 30x9.5"er's be a problem under my fenders considering a stock replacement spring will prolly give me 2" of lift by itself?

Just a little more help, and I can stop wasting bandwidth!
Thanks!

 

First I'd go through everything and make sure all mechanical systems are top notch. I'd go through the front axle and steering first, since these seem typically to be in the worst condition. 11" drum brakes with dual master cylinder. For maximum streetability, stock height springs and stock height shackles. New, high quality shock absorbers. Tires and wheel, I don't know exactly, except that I'd stay fairly mild and go with a radial tire (BFGs?) mostly for ride quality.

Once I was happy that it was safe, reliable and fairly comfortable and easy to drive, and that it would take me to the trailhead and back without going deaf, I'd wheel the bejeezus out of it.

<edit> The '70s CJ rims are 6x15, that should give you a lot of choices. Check what Mike B. runs - BFGs and stock rims?

 

I'd go with 2.5" lift with some 31" tires. BFG is a good choice as well as others. The added height will allow you to cruise down the hiway faster than 45 mph but not feel unstable. Will give better performance off road as well. Just like said above, check the mechanicals and safety items also like brakes, etc. Nickmil.

 

Thad-

Stock springs and 31x10.50 is my set up. I like it. I have yet to replace the springs (very near future) so my springs are relatively flat. New stock springs will be just what I need. My .02

 

i would use my technique. if it is broken upgrade it.