2+2-1=35"

[lastcall]

ok so...
like everyone else I'm trying to get some big tires on and climb some mountains, but keep the cost low. I was thinking of getting a 2" body lift first and down the line some rock slider. Then a 2" lift with a 1" diff. drop to keep extreme angles on the front axles to a minimum. I will mostly be driving it to the mall but every now and then I get a itch and want to go do so climbing and don't want to shy away from the tuff stuff. looking for some feed back on my thinking, also I'm not afraid to cut it up and I know how to weld, but I want to keep that to minimum. would something like this be able to do a trail like the Rubicon with some 33" or 35"?

 

[tgreenwood75]

Often tire size is not the thing which will prevent you from making it through a trail. It is really only one factor in how capable your truck will be.

You mentioned that you intend to get some sliders on soon. If you want to do rock crawling and hard trails such as the Rubicon you also need to be thinking about: lockers (front and rear), regearing for your 35s, belly and gas tank skids, winch (will you be alone or with friends?) preferably some bumpers.

Start checking out some of the build & adventure threads of members on here who run hard trails. You will quickly get an idea of what all besides tires contributes to rock crawling.

 

[MStudt]

I would first figure out how you plan on using your vehicle, and plan your build around that. Planning for added weight in the future is a big thing. Don't just buy a body lift so you can run bigger tires.

My advise to you is start looking at members threads for a good idea on what you need/want. I don't think running 33-35's on a 2" body lift will have good results on the Rubicon.

If you're an amazing driver with a great spotter you might be able to sneak by on 33's in a Jeep. Once you get to a longer wheelbase you'll need to go up in tire size. For vehicle with a wheelbase longer than 105" you'll want to step up to 35's as a minimum, and the 3rd Gen is a hair over 105". It can be done on smaller tires, but you'll drag, slam down, and need to be pulled/winched at points along the trail. It can be done on small tires, but you'll need to choose your lines carefully.

 

[rkntoy]

Do some searching. If you are thinking of 35s there is a thread for that with what components folks have used. 35s take a bit of work to fit right when wheeling.

Body lifts - I like them and feel the pros outweigh the cons for my use pattern and available time. Others think body lifts are the spawn of Satan if if they can't do a pro/con list on them. Do your research for you.

Diff drops - This is another one where you need to do your research for you. There are pros and cons to this one too. And there are ways to mitigate the abuse of angles depending on how you plan to use your rig.

If you find someone's setup that you like, do your research on what they did before you ping them and ask questions. There is a lot of info in this forum.

Doing tougher trails? Most important thing is practice with tire placement and knowing your rig. I gone with friends on the Rubicon that had open diffs and 31s. Of the 2 drivers, one had lots of experience and one picked up quite a few beauty marks. I have my opinions on what mods I would do first on a trail rig but that is for my use case.

Good luck. Have fun.

 

[Cole T]

ok so...
like everyone else I'm trying to get some big tires on and climb some mountains, but keep the cost low. I was thinking of getting a 2" body lift first and down the line some rock slider. Then a 2" lift with a 1" diff. drop to keep extreme angles on the front axles to a minimum. I will mostly be driving it to the mall but every now and then I get a itch and want to go do so climbing and don't want to shy away from the tuff stuff. looking for some feed back on my thinking, also I'm not afraid to cut it up and I know how to weld, but I want to keep that to minimum. would something like this be able to do a trail like the Rubicon with some 33" or 35"?

As others have mentioned, first decide what you really need. I'm running 32's with a 1" lift, skid plates and a winch. Modest enough that I still get over 16mpg, but it still amazes me at the places it will go. I wouldn't hesitate on any 4x4 roads or mountain passes. I honestly think 80% of guys running 35's are in it for the looks, which I admit, they look pretty sick. The other 20% spend multiple weekends in Moab per year and are on unmaintained roads all the time.

 

[phattyduck]

As others have mentioned, first decide what you really need.

How about getting out there and seeing what kind of wheeling you like and using that to figure out what the truck needs?

Just like building a race car - first you tighten up the nut behind the wheel...

-Charlie

 

[BrianSD_42]

Check out this thread .... Who's run the Rubicon in a 5th gen?
---> I probably, no definitely wouldn't drive my 3rd gen through that trail, at least not without switching over to kick out sliders.

Btw I've got 33s, a 1" BL and 2" of suspension lift.

To each their own but to me jumping from 33s to 35s is a BIG F##KING DEAL. The jump is not to be taken lightly (not saying you are) and if you do you'll have a rig that is definitely less capable in the city as a Daily Driver and will cost you a lot more over time.

Everything about it will cost a lot more money:
* $$s for new gears
* Way worse $$$ gas mileage (13-14 mpg yay)
* Less pickup and go
* $$s for tires
* $$s for all the parts that you now break on the trail etc.

35s are awesome !!!!! But everything comes at a cost and a trade-off.

 

[theesotericone]

Check out this thread .... Who's run the Rubicon in a 5th gen?
---> I probably, no definitely wouldn't drive my 3rd gen through that trail, at least not without switching over to kick out sliders.

Btw I've got 33s, a 1" BL and 2" of suspension lift.

To each their own but to me jumping from 33s to 35s is a BIG F##KING DEAL. The jump is not to be taken lightly (not saying you are) and if you do you'll have a rig that is definitely less capable in the city as a Daily Driver and will cost you a lot more over time.

Everything about it will cost a lot more money:
* $$s for new gears
* Way worse $$$ gas mileage (13-14 mpg yay)
* Less pickup and go
* $$s for tires
* $$s for all the parts that you now break on the trail etc.

35s are awesome !!!!! But everything comes at a cost and a trade-off.

I ran the Dusy on 33's last year. Dual locked and dual cased goes a long way. lol

OP, what trails have you done? Just asking because the Rubi is something you work up to. Before you worry about if your rig can run it make sure you can run it. That takes getting out on some shorter hard trails and doing them. It takes being proficient at recovery and field repairs. It takes skill more then it takes 35's. Given that, put a skilled driver in a locked rig with 35's and the Rubi becomes no big deal.

 

[lastcall]

thanks for the insight, I have been looking at build threads and following people on instagram they all look awesome but really heavy and expensive the two of the major things I'm trying to avoid. It's looking like if I what to run a serious trail I'm going to have to follow the proven path of building a tank. I'll also start going to some meet ups out here in the bay area and start to get to know people that I can hit some trails with

 

[BrianSD_42]

I ran the Dusy on 33's last year. Dual locked and dual cased goes a long way. lol

Do you think I could make it through Rubicon body damage free with 33s, sliders and rear-locker?

I assume yes but I've never run it.

:usa2:

 

[theesotericone]

Do you think I could make it through Rubicon body damage free with 33s, sliders and rear-locker?

I assume yes but I've never run it.

:usa2:

Yes. There's bypasses for almost everything on the Rubi. If you actually took on every obstacle you'd most likely suffer some dings and dents. That's just how hard wheeling is. You break stuff and dent things. A lot. lol

 

[rkntoy]

Do you think I could make it through Rubicon body damage free with 33s, sliders and rear-locker?

I assume yes but I've never run it.

:usa2:

Yes - depending on your experience and the experience of your spotters.

 

[BrianSD_42]

It would be great if there was a run of the Rubicon that was a group more focused on trucks with 33s vs hardcore rock crawling. I haven't really looked into it all but I've always heard such great things about the trail.
.

 

[rkntoy]

It would be great if there was a run of the Rubicon that was a group more focused on trucks with 33s vs hardcore rock crawling. I haven't really looked into it all but I've always heard such great things about the trail.
.

Trail is great and really pretty. The experience can depend on other trail groups - it is definitely a mid-week trail.