YJ Lift & Wheel combo

[hi_c]

This question is for YJ owners with a spring under lift kit. I'm getting the Rough Country lift kit this winter and it will be installed with some 3/4" lift shackles. Will I be able to fit 33x10.50 without rubbing? Take note I said 10.5 not 12.5 wide 33's. If you have the RC lift kit, how much did it "settle"? Yes I have the 2.5L, but I don't put many miles on it. Very short commute. I know most of you are going to say 1" body lift, but I don't want to hear that. I want to know if I'll rub at full stuff with this setup. Thanks.

C

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I don't think you'll rub the fenders, but the tires will rub the leaf springs when turning if you plan on using those Grizzly rims. Are you getting the BFG 33x10.5? Or the Swamper?

Sounds like it'll be a sharp setup.

 

[hi_c]

I'm getting the bfg mt. And yeah, I know it'll rub the leaves... I had a post earlier about adjusting the steering stops. I thought I was doing it wrong... turned out my bolts are just stubborn. I knew about the tack weld, but I wasn't sure what else was going on, so I asked. I used to have 31's and they rubbed the springs. I just didn't turn full lock, but with 33's, I need to adjust 'em.

Thanks for the compliment. I think it'll look good. I just posted some new pics of my jeep with the Grizzly's on my website. Here's a direct link to my favorite picture http://coreyandhis.jeepz.com/whats_new.html The only problem is that this picture doesn't do me justice. That's about a 35 degree incline... you can tell by the guy on the side walking slanted. Oh well.

C

 

[jps4jeep]

I have skyjacker 4 " and 3/4 lift shackles and I run 33x12.5 yoko mt's and I get rubbing! Only minimal on the front but a lot on the rear. It has bent the sheet metal near the lower rear part of the flare out about a inch. I have TJ flares to go on, but just need time! This is also with all trac bars still attacted and only my sway bars disconnected. With the trac bars disconnected (did it once with this set up) I get real bad rubbing all around! It is the diameter that is causing the rubbing, not the width. I run a near stock offset, like to maintain streetability. And I get rubbing at full turn on the front leaf springs!

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Consider some 1" wheel spacers since you're using stock wheels, it will add to your stability to help counteract the increased center of gravity, and will help keep the tires off the leaf springs. It's no harder on the axles than using rims with less backspacing.

 

[moabe]

actually if you run those tires on an 8 inch or narrower wheel you are gettin a little more than the 33 in height, im bettin you will grab some front fender whilest twisting through any 14 inch flex, but luckily your tire will be angled in unless you are in a fulll turn................

 

[hi_c]

I will be running my 15x7 grizzly's, but I think it'll be ok. I may trim the flares up a bit.

Bounty, yeah, I plan on some spacers, but I might have to wait a little on them. Good ones (ie. spidertrax) are about $250/set o four and the wife is already gripe-ing about the $1500 I'm dropping on the lift, rims and tires. Might have to sneak those in.. after all, they're not a visible mod to the untrained eye. :twisted:

C

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Good choice. How big is this lift you're installing?

I'd put it on and flex the axles, see what needs trimmed then.

 

[hi_c]

The Rough Country lift is advertised at a 3" lift. That's what has me concerned. So I ask myself, "is the BDS 4" lift really a 4 inch lift?" Or does it sag to 3" when settled? Maybe Rough Country just realized that the springs would settle and they just say it's a 3" lift.

I know Tug put this same exact lift on his YJ, but he only ran 31's. I really want 33's for the pumpkin clearance. So I'm hoping that with the longer shackles, I'll have enough lift.

Here's the link to the kit http://www.followmyrutz.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_37_517&products_id=1671

What do you think?

 

[hi_c]

Here's a good example of what I'm concerned about - http://rough.roughcountry.com/images/89_Jeep_YJ_w_33_x_12.50.jpg
This guy has an early YJ, like me, with a 3" RC lift and 33x12.50 MTs.

Notice how close his rear wheel is to the front of the rear fender! One inch of flex is gonna dig into that tire or bust the flare! Now, granted, I'll only have 10.5" wide tires and he's got 12.50, but still. That's not a lot of clearance. Hopefully my 3/4" lift shackles will correct some of that.

C

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Usually a 4"+ lift is required on a YJ to keep it from rubbing with 33" tires. Now the + could be with shackles, body lift, or cut fenders, choice is up to you.

I'd recommend installing a 1" body lift or installing TJ flares. TJ flares allow for a lot of tire with no rubbing, you'd be surprised.

I fit 32"x11.5" BFG MT's on stock rims on my Jeep with only 2.5" of lift. The TJ flares make this tire size possible. They rub slightly, but not enough to damage anything.

 

[TwistedCU]

The Rough Country lift is advertised at a 3" lift. That's what has me concerned. So I ask myself, "is the BDS 4" lift really a 4 inch lift?" Or does it sag to 3" when settled? Maybe Rough Country just realized that the springs would settle and they just say it's a 3" lift.

I know Tug put this same exact lift on his YJ, but he only ran 31's. I really want 33's for the pumpkin clearance. So I'm hoping that with the longer shackles, I'll have enough lift.

Here's the link to the kit http://www.followmyrutz.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_37_517&products_id=1671

What do you think?

BDS makes a 3.5", not a 4". They do this because it will allow an oversize shackle to clear the military wrapped spring eyes without causing driveline vibration. The pic below is mine with the 3.5, stock shackles and 32x11.50's on a 7 inch rim (pushes them to about a 33") No rubbing and I left out the bump stops. No sagging so far, but they warranty them for life. I pretty sure this kit and your 3/4"lift shackles would be plenty of clearance for the setup you're talking about!

 

[hi_c]

Yeah, but the BDS lift is about $250 more than the RC kit, and it doesn't come with the dropped pitman arm! I'd rather get the complete RC kit and spend a $100 on the 1" BL.

I'll lift first then see what fits.

C

 

[TwistedCU]

Yeah, but the BDS lift is about $250 more than the RC kit, and it doesn't come with the dropped pitman arm! I'd rather get the complete RC kit and spend a $100 on the 1" BL.

I'll lift first then see what fits.

C

The BDS kit does in fact come with a pitman arm. It is a complete kit. You will pay a little more for it than a cheaper lift, but I can clear a 33 on my jeep with the stock shackles and no contact, and it is an awesome ride.
I'm not saying the RC lift won't work, but if you're worried about sagging and clearance, for about $600 to the door, you can get a suspension that will give you what you want, and be warrantied for the life of your Jeep.
$250 now will go a long way over the years...