Newbie with a couple of questions!!

[redfox355]

Originally Posted by warnabrother

to keep it legalish and cheap.. 285's and 2.5" lift..

Agreed. And when you do start taking it offroad, 285s and 2.5 lift will get you pretty much anywhere (sensible) that you want to go.

[Narkee]

Originally Posted by redfox355

35's might look nice, but the change in gearing is really going to affect driveability. Generally to fit 35s under, you will need rims with less back space (like the pro comps you've mentioned), lift kit (AEV 2.5 should be good if that's what you have in mind) and wider flares. That's before you do the diff gears. Oh yeah, and to keep it legal you'll need to get it engineered (although that's debatable depending on what rims you choose). So it's a pretty costly exercise all up to make your truck look aesthetically pleasing. With that said, a nice set of 33in MTs with a 2.5in lift still looks really nice in my opinion.
Regarding the tailgate issues you mentioned, you can get a teraflex heavy duty tailgate hinge. That will fix your tailgate woes if you decide to keep the spare on the door instead of a separate swing away carrier.

Can you please elaborate on doing "the diff gears"?

[redfox355]

Originally Posted by Narkee

Can you please elaborate on doing "the diff gears"?

Yep sure. The general consensus is that if you go above 33in tyres, you will need to consider changing the diff gear ratio so that your final drive ratio is closer to the original spec. So that involves getting a new ring and pinion gear set for both front and rear diffs (plus installation cost).

If you don't change the gearing to suit, then running 35s on standard ratios is going to result in very sluggish performance (because the gearing is too tall). With that said, you can go too far out the other end where you change the diff gear ratio too much, and then end up having to drive at a consistently higher RPM than stock (which can adversely effect fuel economy). So it's all about finding a good balance.

I have 4.56:1 on my 3.8L JKU auto with 35s. That isn't too bad, but it's still a little bit tall for my liking (altho I haven't recalibrated the tyre size and diff ratios in the computer yet.. that can affect shift points and thus driveability). Some people have 4.88 and find that to work well. It really depends on what engine and transmission you have, and what your driving style is.

[Narkee]

Thanks redfox, very helpful.

I understand the gearing ratio on a Rubicon is higher than standard, so am I right in thinking that this would amplify the sluggish performance, and therefore would require a significant lowering of the ratio's?

Apologies for all the questions, very much a n00b on this area.

[redfox355]

Originally Posted by Narkee

Thanks redfox, very helpful.

I understand the gearing ratio on a Rubicon is higher than standard, so am I right in thinking that this would amplify the sluggish performance, and therefore would require a significant lowering of the ratio's?

Apologies for all the questions, very much a n00b on this area.

Nope, it's the other way around. I think Rubicons come stock with 4.11 diff gears, which is shorter gearing and therefore better for larger tyres. If you have a stock Sport, then you would have 3.73 in auto, or 3.21 for a manual. The shorter gearing of the Rubi's (including the shorter transfer case gearing) are aimed a better offroad performance when crawling in the bumpy stuff. I've never driven a rubicon with 35s, so couldn't tell you how it performs, but I'm sure there are plenty of forum members who would know.

[Narkee]

Legend redfox!!

[BLVCKJEEP]

Thanks for the info guys. I dont mind the tyres sticking outside the guards, i actually reckon it looks awesome. I guess the legality of it is the main issue.

I have felt that little twitch many times also and want to feel it a little less than when i was in the V8.

With backspacing is it less backspacing the more it sticks out or the more it sticks out. So for example 4.25 BS will stick the tyres out further than 4.75 BS?

Anybody using the Summit Mud Hogs? Ive read good things about them.

This is a daily driver but its only a 15 minute drive through backstreets to work everyday and its not like im going to be rolling on 37's and a 4.5" Lift.