lift kits and bigger tires
I'm looking to add a couple of inches to my stock 06 Wrangler Sport and bumping up to 33's (Happy Fathers Day to me...) Being void of most mechnical knowledge other than gas, oil and wiper fluid, I've seen a couple different types of lifts, spacers, springs, etc. I'm curious about what is the best type to go with. My ride is my daily driver and it wouldn't see alot of off road abuse, but i do and will take it out some. The spacers are the cheapest way to go, but are they the best way to go? I guess I'm looking more for asthetics than off road funtionality. I want it to look kewl and be able to take it out without too much worry.
Also would two inches of lift allow for the 33's??
Some specs of the "sport" package...
Heavy duty Dana 44 rear axle
3.73 axle ratio
Stock skid plates on transfer case and fuel tank
I appreciate any advice or even links about where to look and learn.
vroom vroom 
(1 vote)
lift and tires
Submitted by fogleref on Tue, 06/10/2008 - 20:03.
This is a hard question to answer, because like most things you will find about modifing your jeep - as soon as you finish one change you will find another change is needed. Given what you told me you want to do, fit 33" tires, you will need to go with around 3 total inches of lift. You will see some drop off in your ability to climb slight grades on the highway because at highway speeds, the 3.73 stock gears in the diffs with this size tires will require shifts down to a lower gear to climb the grade.
On the trail, no problems with this modification, the taller tires will alow you to clear more obstacles and you will not see any performance problems.
When it comes to how to add the 3 inches of lift, you can go several ways. If you have air conditioning, I think the maximum body lift you can add is 1". That can run as little as $100, and if you have a floor jack and a few small tools it is a pretty easy modification.
The next couple of inches will have to come in a suspension lift. You suggested using coil spacers as a option. I think this will add about 1.75" of lift. The cost here is again about $100 for the coil spacers, but the installation, while not overly difficult, does require the removal of the coil springs, installation of the coil spacers, and reinstalling the coil springs. The tools needed are a little more involved.
You may encounter a couple of side effects from this type of lift and larger tires. First the steering wheel may develop a severe wobble because the stock steering damper on the front suspension may need to be replaced by a heavy duty version. Again not difficult, but another $75. Second, the coil spacers you install will change the geometry of the suspension and you might experience a few unwanted side effects. You might experience a slight pull to the right or left when you start out at a light or you come to a stop. These side effects can be eliminated by buying a kit that supplies all the correct pieces needed to keep your suspension correct. Of course these kits will cost you more than than the $100 you spent on the coils spacers.
See what I meen by one thing leads to another. The best source of information I found when I started on my jeep was a magazine called "JP Magazine". The July issue has a tire and lift guide that you might find helpful. You can also check out there website www.jpmagazine.com. Finally, talking with others at the jamboree, you attend will give you some more ideas.
By the way, I will be at the Snowshoe jeep jamboree this year, maybe we can talk then. Happy trails!!
lift and tires
Submitted by jeeppunk91 on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 00:39.
THANKS!! I appreciate all of the advice and your time writing. Most of the research that I did pointed in the same direction, one thing leads to another, I hadn't seen the A/C vs. body lift issue before. It's much appreciated. I may end up just going with the biggest tires that will fit the stock height (any thoughts?) or at least a set of non street tread since my off roading is pretty mild. Maybe a new grill guard? hmmmm... bumper? winch? tow package? lights??? There is so much fun stuff to do and add!!! Checked out JP Magazine, WOW! Thats inspiring!!
Snowshoe is still about 60% up in the air (work sux!!), but I'm doing my best to get there. I will let you and all that are going know. It's like an hour from where I grew up so it would be kewl to get back into the mountains with the Wrangler.
vroom vroom
We did a lift on my wife's
Submitted by Blackheep on Fri, 06/27/2008 - 12:20.
We did a lift on my wife's jeep, went with Old Man Emu 2.5 HD lift, which was new springs and shocks. Came in close to 3" and the ride is better than stock. The only hard part of the install was the rear track bar mount. We put 32x11.50 tires on it and it goes great. We will also be at Snowshoe this year so be on the lookout for the silver Rocky Mount Edtion with black steel rims. 
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