What lift to get?

[ohmygrodd]

I went with a very simple solution. Inexpensive wire basket on stock roof racks spreads the load well. 265/75/16 fits easily. People say pain in the bum to get down but realistically how often do we have to use our spares? Works well for me and still have room in basket for camp chairs x 4, shovel and max trax if I need to.

[SMBCJ]

I have a had a 2" BB with the usual stock up-country CRD laredo suspension since day 1 (2003). With airbags in the rear and a bit of sag in the front, I find it's enough for general offroading, towing and doesn't affect the ride much.

Still I had front shaft issues and DW among many other things during the last 250k kms.

With a bit of shoving, I can get my partially worn 265/70 16 BFG AT into the stock spare tub under the rear floor.

New tyres rubbed a little (same size) at the beginning but minor trimming and self clearancing that ended up being a minor inconvenience.

Personally, I like the BB for the ease and cost but with the front sagging and ideas for a front bar, I might get some new front springs to even things up a bit.

[65cj6er]

Thanks for the ideas guys, really appreciate them

So how how about this , 2" lift, 265/75/16 all terrains, minor guard trimming, spare on roof with stronger roof crossbars (stock crossbars too flimsy)

[65cj6er]

Any pics of what this set up would look like?

[fester]

Yes aftermarket cross bars would be much better. Even with a basket as mentioned above the stock crossbars are marginal, especially at this age. The problem with them is the crossbar is thin oval section and the clamps are plastic with the crossbar slid over the end and held in with tiny phillps screws. Mine are bending and stretching the crossbar right where the plastic end cap slips in. Eventually the plastic end will break off or the crossbar material will stretch and crack enough to allow the end cap to drop out. I have a full rack and intend to pull the factory rails off altogether and make new mounts directly to the roof. I have my crossbars close together with the tyre strapped to both evenly, a small half size basket would not make any real difference to the way the bars are loaded as the factory bars are also arched so a basket would load the centre or flex the bar on the ends to flatten it out.

Have a look at the grand cherokee pics thread in the sticky section, there will be plently of inspirational pics there.

Here's mine anyway:

[SMBCJ]

Good compromise. If you feel you want to go taller (or for a long arm when you eventually need a new front shaft anyway) your investment is small. Just watch out for undercover carparks with a 2m height restriction with that spare up there!!!! ouch!

[Tyvokka]

I do have a used pair of Rhino Rack Aero Bars lying in the garage. Used it for the spare tire initially but mainly the two yaks, fishing rods and a couple IKEA trips.

Anyone interested / fair offer?