Wheel, Tire, Lift and overall direction of my Jeep help

outlanderbz · 07-28-2009, 04:45 PM

I have been reading everything I can on these forums but wanted to ask what people did when they first got their Jeeps or got into modifying their Jeeps? I have never owned a Jeep Wrangler before but now own a 2002 Wrangler Sport, all stock. I know I eventually want to switch out the wheels and tires and then give it a little lift. Just because I want to give it a better stance.

That being said, I have never gone off-roading of any sort before. It has always interested me and I want to start.

I know I want Black wheels, can I just get some crager soft 8's and then tires and lift later or is it better to save and do it all at once? What did others do? do people usually just buy and sell their way up?

Basically, as you can see, I am a newb to the world of Jeep's and leaving the pavement. These forums have taught me so much in just 4 weeks about my Jeep, I read everything I can. So go easy on me and tell me what you all think. I never changed oil before I got this Jeep and now I have changed brake pads, replaced Nuetral Safety switch (didnt even know what one is), removed parts, added parts, painted parts and so on. My wife laughs at how much I work or sit and stare at my Jeep.

maybe there are threads like this already but I have spent alot of time reading and searching. Maybe this will help other newbs come out and ask questions.

the main thing is I want Black wheels

**TheBoogieman** · 07-28-2009, 04:54 PM

I think it's best to figure out what your goals are and not waste money.I originally got a 2" BB and 31's MT tires and wheels that I liked.I thought that was the end.My brother got 33's and I liked the look better.Within 6 months I had 35's and spent/wasted a lot of money.Mainly the huge cost of buying 31's and selling them for a fraction of what I paid.I ended up selling the Jeep for a newer,lower mileage one and started over.This is my 4th Jeep in 6 years along with an XJ.It never ends.

outlanderbz · 07-28-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theboogieman

I think it's best to figure out what your goals are and not waste money.I originally got a 2" BB and 31's MT tires and wheels that I liked.I thought that was the end.My brother got 33's and I liked the look better.Within 6 months I had 35's and spent/wasted a lot of money.Mainly the huge cost of buying 31's and selling them for a fraction of what I paid.I ended up selling the Jeep for a newer,lower mileage one and started over.This is my 4th Jeep in 6 years along with an XJ.It never ends.

yeah, that is what I am afraid of, as I have been reading these forums, I have been adding different jeeps to my notes so I can see what I like. I know I will buy things that I end up replacing but I would like to limit it. I will continue to take notes as I read the forums and see what I like.

thanks for the comments

**TheBoogieman** · 07-28-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outlanderbz

yeah, that is what I am afraid of, as I have been reading these forums, I have been adding different jeeps to my notes so I can see what I like. I know I will buy things that I end up replacing but I would like to limit it. I will continue to take notes as I read the forums and see what I like.

thanks for the comments

If you need pics of different lifts,PM me.I've got a bunch of all my Jeeps at different stages.

**zjgray** · 07-28-2009, 07:20 PM

do you have any idea how much lift you wont and what size tire your going for?

**TheBoogieman** · 07-28-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outlanderbz

yeah, that is what I am afraid of, as I have been reading these forums, I have been adding different jeeps to my notes so I can see what I like. I know I will buy things that I end up replacing but I would like to limit it. I will continue to take notes as I read the forums and see what I like.

thanks for the comments

Here ya go.

Stock with 30's.

2" BB with 31" MT's

3" lift with 1" BL and 31's.

Same lift with 35's.

4" RC lift with 33's

2" BB and 1" BL with 33's.

My best, longest lasting mod ever.

outlanderbz · 07-28-2009, 07:43 PM

[QUOTE=Theboogieman;7662081]Here ya go.

2" BB and 1" BL with 33's.

This is the stance I like, It looks clean but beefy. I really think that from all the pictures I see, I always like the way 33's look. I now I cant afford anything but wheels right now. BTW, my 2002 is not a daily driver, it is my toy. If I went with this look could I get some soft 8's now and then do the tires and lift later?

also, I am still reading up on the difference between BB/BL/etc

I really like that Jeep, is it yours?

outlanderbz · 07-28-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zjgray

do you have any idea how much lift you wont and what size tire your going for?

I am really starting to think I like the way 33's look with just enough lift so they fit

outlanderbz · 07-28-2009, 07:48 PM

here is my jeep as it stands now, sorry, all i have is a picture with the grand cherokee

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs145.snc1/5376_110005281225_677621225_2610719_915604_n.jpg

and

**TheBoogieman** · 07-28-2009, 07:53 PM

[QUOTE=outlanderbz;7662149]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theboogieman

Here ya go.

2" BB and 1" BL with 33's.

This is the stance I like, It looks clean but beefy. I really think that from all the pictures I see, I always like the way 33's look. I now I cant afford anything but wheels right now. BTW, my 2002 is not a daily driver, it is my toy. If I went with this look could I get some soft 8's now and then do the tires and lift later?

also, I am still reading up on the difference between BB/BL/etc

I really like that Jeep, is it yours?

That's the lift I did on my brother's 05' Willys edition.Cheap and effective lift with no mods like BL/bodylift,MML/motor mount lift/T case drop.The lift total was $335 finished not including wheels and tires.Here's a pic with his expensive heavy armor.

outlanderbz · 07-28-2009, 08:11 PM

[QUOTE=Theboogieman;7662081]Here ya go.

4" RC lift with 33's

2" BB and 1" BL with 33's.

These are both awesome looking, what is the pro's and con's of the two. why go with a 4" RC lift and 33's vs 2"BB and 1"BL with 33's? heh, i warned you I was a newb but I am not afraid to admit it and learn. thanks for teaching!

**TheBoogieman** · 07-28-2009, 08:42 PM

[QUOTE=outlanderbz;7662372]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theboogieman

Here ya go.

4" RC lift with 33's

2" BB and 1" BL with 33's.

These are both awesome looking, what is the pro's and con's of the two. why go with a 4" RC lift and 33's vs 2"BB and 1"BL with 33's? heh, i warned you I was a newb but I am not afraid to admit it and learn. thanks for teaching!

A 4" SL requires so much more to only run 33's.A BB or 2.5" RC lift and BL require so much less headaches.

camper49 · 07-28-2009, 09:57 PM

I might be a similar story to you, only a few months ahead of you and several dollars poorer....

I looked at your jeep picture you posted. That's the khaki color with full doors. That's a nice looking jeep to start with. I happen to like those factory wheels you have. You have a sport model with the 6 cylinder. That's good. You have the highway gear ratio (3.07) in your axles. That will become an issue with large diameter tires.

I started with a used, very clean, stock TJ sport model and then spent several months teaching myself about the hobby. When I finally gathered a garage full of parts, I spent some time fixing my jeep in ways I'd read were popular. I drive my jeep everyday....I want to. So I tried to find a middle ground with changes that would keep it a good highway vehicle.

I decided on 33" tires. Lots of decisions and purchases are directed by tire size. I see where you are preoccupied with new wheels. It might serve you well to also decide what size tires you will eventually want to run before you spend money on wheels. Try to read up on tire width, wheel back spacing and width (usually 8" or 10"), and tire rub on control arms and suspension components.

I'm not an expert like everyone else on these internet sites, so I don't give much advice. But when I was working on my jeep, I took a bunch of pictures and wrote a essay for use on a jeep club forum. It lives on this forum also and can be accessed in the link at the bottom of my post. I don't normally blow my own horn, but you mentioned you were spending some time reading up and learning. It might be useful to you to see what I learned.

I also recommend you look into a local jeep club. I like to read the internet, but it was more useful to me to introduce myself to some fellas in my own community and look at their jeeps and ask questions about what I might want to do to my jeep.

my jeep started like this....

a couple of later pictures....I've got about 3 1/2 inches of spring lift and a 1 inch body lift....4.10:1 axle gear ratio. I have plenty of room for 35 inch tires if I ever decide to step up, but I don't have the proper gearing at this time.

**RogueSpear2023** · 07-28-2009, 11:30 PM

Take it out and wheel it, then you will know what you want and what you need, 35s are expensive, I would stick with 33s or smaller.

2002StockTJ · 07-29-2009, 02:02 AM

Here's mine I just finished.

2002 Sport Automatic.

2.5" Rough Country Springs/shocks
1.25" RC Body Lift
1" MML
BF GoodRich 32x10.50x17 on Moabs