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Post by yowza on Jun 6, 2008 7:55:16 GMT -5
I've got an '08 JK Sahara model with stock 18" tires and was wondering what kind of lift kit I should purchase and how high to go since new rims and tires aren't in my immediate future? I want it to be safe and not look ridiculous.
Thanks!
Tom
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Post by wilcav on Jun 6, 2008 9:01:35 GMT -5
2" budget boost and 1" body lift gets you 3" higher for about $200, if you do the labor.
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Post by nwquadriders on Jun 7, 2008 0:50:32 GMT -5
I wouldn't go any more than 2" if you are sticking with the stock tire size. It will give you some more room under the fenders, which will make things better off road.
Personally, I'd go with a 2" lift spring, instead of the budget boost. For about the same money, you get the same results, and you don't have to rely on a piece of polyurethane to last a long time. I started with the Rubicon Express budget boost on my LJ. Both of the front spacers were deformed and "mushroomed" out when I removed them to go to my 3.5" lift. That was after only 1 year of wheeling "lightly".... I wasn't impressed.
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Post by Belfast on Jun 8, 2008 6:14:30 GMT -5
I personally wouldn't put any lift on until you are ready to put larger tires on. When I put my 2" budget boost on, the stock tires looked small. This is a personal preference and by no means stating that you can't do, to each their own.
If you purchase a quality spacer, you shouldn't have the problems Chad described - but it is possible. I have had mine for 2 years now and they look fine after 20k+ miles and some moderate wheeling. I think it all comes down to your long term plans. If you don't want to go bigger than this initial lift, go with springs. If this is temporary until you want to go bigger, you usually can save a little money by going with a budget boost.
All this being said, beware of "the bug" - you put a 2" lift on and you will start to think about bigger tires... then bigger lift... it is an expensive and endless cycle.
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Post by yowza on Jun 8, 2008 8:46:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the positive feedback. I'm most likely not doing anything right away but I always like to mull over my options. Much appreciated guys.
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Post by nwquadriders on Jun 8, 2008 16:23:22 GMT -5
If you purchase a quality spacer, you shouldn't have the problems Chad described - but it is possible. I have had mine for 2 years now and they look fine after 20k+ miles and some moderate wheeling. My spacers were Rubicon Express, which is what most folks go out and buy... I'm just saying, take a look at yours on the front. My coils had dug into both of them at least 1/4", and the one on the driver's side had "squished" another 1/4". Which means my 1.75" spacers were closer to 1 1/4" and 1 1/2". Mine might have been a rare case, but I don't by any means beat on my rig, so I figured those spacers would have lasted a lot longer.... The rear ones looked brand new still. |
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Post by sylvanis on Jun 11, 2008 12:44:26 GMT -5
I'm with belfast. Wheel it stock. I did that for a year and a half and then lifted it when the $ was availible. I then got to re-learn it's capabilities as I had better clearance. Last summer I dropped lockers front and rear...and learned all over again what new challenges I could attempt. old school: 10 PRINT "Wheel it 'till you break it!" 20 PRINT "Upgrade it!" 30 GOTO 20  |
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Post by yowza on Jun 13, 2008 7:17:55 GMT -5
What kind of ballpark $$$ am I looking at to get some Jeep respect with a 3.5" lift and rims/tires to go along with it? I wouldn't be doing a ton of off-roading so I wouldn't go crazy with aggressive treads. Affordability and reliability is what I'm shooting for.
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Post by nwquadriders on Jun 13, 2008 8:57:07 GMT -5
Looks like an Old Man Emu "2-inch" kit (which is new springs/shocks) runs around $650 for your rig, and from the pictures I've seen you can fit 33" to 35" tires under it. Since you've probably got 17" rims on the Jeep, the tires are a little more spendy...look more in the range of $200/tire (mounted). So, with a matching spare that's $1000. Wheels....the sky is the limit. You can spend $40 to $300 per wheel. I'd probably stick in the $50-$100 range if you're going to go off road at all.
So, I'm guessing you're in this for around $2000, which sounds about right. You can probably do the install yourself or with friends. Or....find a local shop that will make you a deal on the entire package including install/alignment.
35" tires seem pretty big for your stock gearing, so also keep that as a consideration. Some nice 33's wouldn't change your power too much, and the more aggressive tread pattern will really make your Jeep stand out.
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Post by yowza on Jun 13, 2008 9:44:47 GMT -5
Thanks for the quick response. The '08 JK Sahara comes standard with 18" rims so that's a plus for me I guess. I'm not sure how the whole gearing thing works since I'm green as grass to this. I've read plenty of threads about it and I'm hoping the 6 speed tranny can support 33s with no loss in power.
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Post by nwquadriders on Jun 13, 2008 22:01:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the quick response. The '08 JK Sahara comes standard with 18" rims so that's a plus for me I guess. I'm not sure how the whole gearing thing works since I'm green as grass to this. I've read plenty of threads about it and I'm hoping the 6 speed tranny can support 33s with no loss in power. 33's shouldn't be too bad since they are coming with basically 32" tires stock on those 18" rims. |
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Post by dapozer on Jun 13, 2008 23:20:04 GMT -5
check out gotreks.com or TnT customs, they have helped me out a bunch and good stuff.
shawn
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