Fightin' the urge...

[cshontz]

I don't even know why I'm posting this, but inchitis is highly contagious during and immediately after trail rides. I've never really wanted alot of lift or big tires, and I also tend to argue that our vehicles are at their best when we leave them the heck alone. But off-highway adventure is in my blood, and I always find myself wondering -

Can I increase my Jeep's ride height just another inch without compromising its comfort and practicality?

I already know the answer to this, but I puzzle over the question anyway. Does larger meat yield blissful, off-highway nirvana? Why would I want to run larger tires? How will it improve my four-wheel drive vehicle?

To be more specific, I'd consider going from a 2" OME w/ 245, to possibly a 3.5" RE w/ 265/75R16 tires instead.

Pros

• Larger tires would allow me to drive over larger rocks, and through more deeply rutted trails unhindered.
• Firmer springs would allow me to pile on more overlanding crap. without excessive sagging.
• It'd look cool.

Cons

• Larger tires would cause more rubbing issues.
• More severe driveline angles and altered suspension geometry would accelerate wear and tear, and decrease ride quality.
• Larger tires would have a negative impact on fuel economy, and would hinder acceleration without proper gearing.
• Increased ride height would have an adverse effect on handling and increase the center of gravity.
• Pedestrian impact zone would change from kneecaps to abdomen, and height increase would hinder small furry animal avoidance.
• The more you do to a Jeep, the more you have to do to a Jeep - creating a paradoxical cycle of debt.

It is clear that I must fend off Jeep envy, and be more confident in my masculinity, even if I'm running the most tame looking junk in the group. The fact is - it works. It gets me to where I want to go, and then some. What I lack in ground clearance, I gain in technique. I passed the test. I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.

This post is a cshontz joint.

 

[crawler#976]

I think you'd be very pleased with the change to a 32" tire and the additional lift. What you've proposed is very mild, and I doubt if you'd have very many issues, yet the gains in off highway performance would be considerable.

Mark

 

[OverlandZJ]

Is that a dent in the rocker panel?! :sport_box

Agreed, i'v been chasing the ride i had in the Black XJ for the last couple years with the latest XJ. Been through 4-5 suspension setups and lowered it, Currently around 6" and the LongArm's have brought me close now...but it can get costly as you are well aware.

Leave it alone..it's a real classy ride as is and does what you need of it.

 

[Westy]

You have one real nice, clean looking cherokee.

Do you have a rear locker? This will get you more places than bigger tires and more lift will and not negatively affect gas mileage, driveline angles, etc etc.

If you opt out on the lift, a set of rock sliders may also be a good choice too.

 

[cshontz]

Is that a dent in the rocker panel?! :sport_box

YES. I am incapable of owning a Cherokee without getting a dent there.

My blue 95 that you recall got a dented rocker while I was in posession of brand new Tomken sliders that were at home in my garage!

My white 96 got a dent there because I used poor judgement and picked a more technical line while stock.

Having learned my lesson, I've been totally careful with the 01 and have not taken an unnecessary risks to keep it nice. Here is where I got the dent.

When I got out of the Jeep and saw that, I swear I heard Nelson Muntz laugh.

 

[durango_60]

Fight The Urge

You are approaching a very slippery slope. I had the same feeling yesterday wheeling Choke Cherry Canyon in Farmington NM. I was with my buddy in a 80 series with 5" of lift, 35"s and super flex. At the end of the day, where do you need/want to go that your rig can't take you?

 

[LUISJG]

i had so much fun with my XJ with 3 inch rustys and 31 inch tires that if i was to do it again on an xj , I would do it the same.


never needed more,,always did find a way to cross obstacles.
fuel economy was great..i miss that thing!


maybe some rock rails will be good though ,,I did banged my cherokee few times on the rocker panels.

 

[goodtimes]

I believe you can modify a vehicle to suit your needs better than it does from the factory. But you must first define your needs, and build/modify it with those needs as the litmus test of "do I or don't I need *whatever*". But do not let a lift manufacturer or retailer define those needs for you--you must do it yourself.

If you are honest with yourself, you may find that leaving it the heck alone is really what you need...in which case you just saved yourself a bunch of money that you can spend on a cool trip (or three). Or you may find yourself spending lots of $$$ on the jeep instead of on a trip.....the answer lies within your own mind (and wallet). Oh, maybe your wifes, too.

 

[vengeful]

I think you ought to do it Chris.

Another advantage to a suspension lift is that you're less likely to dent those pesky rockers!

It was nice meeting you at Rausch on Sunday, and it looks like you hooked up with a good group of rigs. Looks like you had a good time! Hopefully next time we're both down at the same time, we'll actually get to wheel together!

 

[cshontz]

Well, I've done it before - slightly taller even. My 1995 XJ had RE 4.5" and 32x11.50's. The tires were too big for the vehicle. I had vibes, but no tc drop or fixed yoke conversion (which I already have on my 01). I'm a bit too much of a preservationist to trim again, and I'd definately be pushing it with 265's ... unless I can bump-stop 'em just enough that I still have compression, but not so much that they'd eat fender. My 245's do it now for that matter.

Also, there's the problem that I'm an OME fanboy. I swear by the brand (at least for Jeeps) and how it interacts with the terrain. I'd hate to replace it with a system that just feels dead under my seat. Sure, I can run OME shocks, but thats only part of the equation. Usually, you can't test-drive an aftermarket suspension like you can a new car - so once you find one that works, you stick with it to be safe.

This was my 95. Best picture I had online. This isn't a pose, its a result of the parking brake not holding, and rolling down a hill at a local junkyard. Got very lucky - this could've been way worse.

 

[cshontz]

Bah. Stupid idea. This thread is temptation in itself, and should be destroyed.

:lurk:

 

[kcowyo]

I already know the answer to this, but I puzzle over the question anyway. Does larger meat yield blissful, off-highway nirvana?

Don't make me get all Yoda on ya and whatnot......

 

[0utback]

Size isn't everything and won't solve every trail problem. It will however get you deeper into trouble when trouble comes your way.

I have a stock 05 Rubicon (which run a 31" vs a 29" on a standard Wrangler) and my plan is to go to a 33" tire as funds allow the process to unfold. But no larger. The extra ground clearance may help in situations as follow below, but then again, may not :snorkel:

Here some pics from the 6th May that may or may not help with your personal debate...

My 05 Rubi on the stock 31's sunk in what became a bog. The surface looked ok and we had been making good going until I hit this sink-hole. It just suddenly dropped in and planted itself. Lockers did no good. This stuff is bottomless, slimey, sticky, and stinky once you break through the turf. The rear end was sunk right down below bumper height and the front axle had sliced into the turf in such a way that it wasn't going forward or backward - sort of like being glued into place.

Here's how we got it out after failed attempts at tugging, shovelling and more tugging with a Cherokee...

http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g229/ghostrider7362/?action=view&current=DSCF3786.flv

Stock is great, for awhile, but a bit taller is better - for awhile. But then it's a matter of needs vs wants vs reality vs trends. You have to know when to quit the build and when to stop the Jeep and turn around. Not all roads need to be travelled

For me the 31's are turning out to be too small for my needs. But anything larger than 33 is beyond my interest or desire. Sometimes a bigger size will be of benefit, as in the case presented. A larger tire may have helped me from sinking so deep, or they may have dug me in further. You can't predict nature's tricks or be prepared for all of them. In my case now, it is all a matter of money vs needs & wants. The Jeep is hungry :chowtime: and waiting for feeding time

 

[\\'anderer]

The answer lies within this 2 part question. This is a personal question only YOU can answer.

1. Where have you NOT been able to go because you did not have enough lift, and 2. Is going to those places worth the lost money and ride quality?

Remember the lifted jeep will look cool, but you spend most of your time inside the jeep and cannot see the lift anyway!!!:safari-rig:

 

[\\'anderer]

BTW if you do decide to lift it, the RE 3.5 is a nice kit. I would recommend it.