I Just Got A New ExPo Rig; 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Sport!

[Lost_Vegas]

I used to be a long time Toyota fanboy, I had a 1976 FJ40 for awhile and then went with a 2004 Tacoma TRD. I did a lot of camping and off roading in the Tacoma including a couple of trips to Moab and the Rubicon Trail. I got out of this lifestyle for a few years and then began to get the itch again, and it proceeded to get worse, and worse, and worse... I used to be an overlander, turned rock crawler, turned desert racer. I am envisioning this rig to be a mild overland rig used for camping, towing a pop up trailer, and moderate off roading. Since I plan to haul the family around, and it will see a lot of highway miles I need to keep the mod's. toned down and maintain highway comfort, drive ability, and fuel economy.

I thought about getting a FJ Cruiser but due to the fact that they don't have a big enough back seat and rear doors, limited visibility, combined with the fact that the local dealers think that they are currently being made from gold and silver, I passed. I used to make fun of Jeeps, then I drove a JKU and I was in love...

I shopped around and got just what I was looking for; JKU with the auto. trans., 3:73 gears, Trak-Lok rear differential, 3 piece hardtop, and not much more in billet silver; I felt like I got a good deal on it as well. I am happy, happy, happy. However, you know how it goes "now I need"...

Build Plan:

• 2.5" coilspring lift front and rear
• Shocks all the way around
• rock sliders
• BFG KM2 tires; 255x85x16's
• 2 meter / 440 mhz radio
• etc. etc. etc.

And so it begins! Pic's to follow...

 

[Lost_Vegas]

Wheels / Tires

I have the stock Jeep steel wheels; they are 16", I'm not sure of the width or backspacing. I have the stock Goodyear Wrangler 225x75x16 "car tires" that came from the factory. I wanted this wheel package because I knew I would upgrade down the road. However, after looking at the stock steel wheels they seem to be of good quality, better than some of the other aftermarket steel offerings. Since I don't want to run a very wide tire, I'm planning on running BFG's 255x85x16 KM2, the stock wheels may just work out fine.

EDIT: the stock steel wheels are 16 x 7" with 6.25" backspacing.

Since the tire I'm looking at has a diameter of 33.4" but is relatively narrow I think I should be able to fit this tire size with a 2.5" suspension lift and 1.5" wheel spacers. The wheel spacers are intended to widen the track, improve looks, and help with tire rub at full lock.

Can anyone critique this plan from their actual expertise and/or experience?

 

[daveh]

You should be able to run 35s with a true 2.5" lift and wheel spacers. I'm running 34s on AEV wheels and the 2.5" lift and have plenty of room.

 

[MOSDIF589]

I have the stock Jeep steel wheels; they are 16", I'm not sure of the width or backspacing. I have the stock Goodyear Wrangler 225x75x16 "car tires" that came from the factory. I wanted this wheel package because I knew I would upgrade down the road. However, after looking at the stock steel wheels they seem to be of good quality, better than some of the other aftermarket steel offerings. Since I don't want to run a very wide tire, I'm planning on running BFG's 255x85x16 KM2, the stock wheels may just work out fine.

EDIT: the stock steel wheels are 16 x 7" with 6.25" backspacing.

Since the tire I'm looking at has a diameter of 33.4" but is relatively narrow I think I should be able to fit this tire size with a 2.5" suspension lift and 1.5" wheel spacers. The wheel spacers are intended to widen the track, improve looks, and help with tire rub at full lock.

Can anyone critique this plan from their actual expertise and/or experience?

You can fit & run the 255/85-16 on the factory wheel if you want with no lift. That tire is aprox 1" taller than the factory Rubicon tire, 1/2" at the top & 1/2" at the bottom. Even though you can run it with no lift I would still run the TERA-FLEX 1.5" susp kit. The kit contains 2" frt coils & 1" rear coils so it will help level the veh while giving you a small lift. This will also help if you add a winch and or winch bumper. If you use a 2.5" lift then most people would fit a 35" tire but just remember not all lifts sit true to their claimed heights. Most kits sit a little higher than they claim but not all so if you narrow down your pic I would ask about the REAL height. Also you are correct that wheel spacers will be needed to help push the factory wheel out some but remember to use a good quality brand like SPIDERYRAX or G2.


Old pic of my 2013 JKU w/ARB OME 2.25" (sits 2.75"-3") on 35/12.50-17, hope this helps...

 

[Lost_Vegas]

You can fit & run the 255/85-16 on the factory wheel if you want with no lift. That tire is aprox 1" taller than the factory Rubicon tire, 1/2" at the top & 1/2" at the bottom. Even though you can run it with no lift I would still run the TERA-FLEX 1.5" susp kit. The kit contains 2" frt coils & 1" rear coils so it will help level the veh while giving you a small lift. This will also help if you add a winch and or winch bumper. If you use a 2.5" lift then most people would fit a 35" tire but just remember not all lifts sit true to their claimed heights. Most kits sit a little higher than they claim but not all so if you narrow down your pic I would ask about the REAL height. Also you are correct that wheel spacers will be needed to help push the factory wheel out some but remember to use a good quality brand like SPIDERYRAX or G2.

View attachment 235330
Old pic of my 2013 JKU w/ARB OME 2.25" (sits 2.75"-3") on 35/12.50-17, hope this helps...

Truck looks good. Thanks for the information. My goal is not to go any taller with a lift than I need to to have zero rubbing at full lock, full stuff. I'm looking at the Terraflex 2.5" coilspring lift, or similar and longer shocks (I like Bilstein 5I00's).

I believe stock Rubi tires measure out to ~31.5" overall diameter. The 255x85x16 overall dia. is 33.4 so there is a little bit of difference but its not a huge amount. I don't want to go with 35's yet for several reasons but they do have their advantages for sure.