New Rubicon, time for tire decisions

[Sport43537]

Thanks for the pictures. I went with 3.73's.....I did not want to order and dealer searched a 250 mile radius and could find a single basic Rubicon with 4.10's. since I did not want to go to 35's, I decided the 3.73's would work just fine.

 

[crawler#976]

We chose the 285/70-17 Falken Wild Peak (Rebranded by Discount Tire to read Rocky Mountain) to go with the same lift you're going with. They offer a three ply sidewall to stand up to trail use, have a ton of edges for snow and ice, and the long latteral grooves have performed OK in light mud. The do exceptionally well in dry conditions and on pavement too.

Regardless of what the others may say, an extra 3/8" in of diff clearance does make a difference. When you air down, it really comes into play.

To make the changes required when going up in tire size, you will need the AEV ProCal to go along with the lift.

I think you will be very, very pleased with the lift and brackets. We have really enjoyed ours! I've owned some high end Tacoma suspensions, and the budget AEV 2.5 performs on par with ICON and Sway-A-Way. Perfect tuning of both the coils and shocks provides for a truely stellar ride off pavement.

 

[Metcalf]

How about 315/70R17's? They are only 34.4" tall....so not '35s'

 

[Sport43537]

I decided to go with BFG KM2's in 285/75/17. I love the look and they seem to ride better than the stock tires. They fit the stock rims and only interfere with the plastic air dam when turned all the way and reversing, removing the air dam solved that issue. Haven't noticed any loss of power. Next, purchase and install lift next weekend. Most likely going with AEV 2.5" Dual Sport with geometry brackets, but I have been reviewing OME spring and shock specs. Plan to make decision and order Monday. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[voodoojk]

Do yourself a favor and get the km2 sipped. I ran km2 on my JK in Colorado for 2 years driving across the Rockies in the worst blizzard conditions they always got me to where I was going but it was sketchy. Biggest regret was NOT sipping them. Friends ran same tire and had them sipped and said it made a world of difference.

 

[toymaster]

X2 on the sipping.

The one downfall of the KM2s is the side wall, very light and thin. Overall this is a good combo for a jeep but the side walls are prone to damage especially if you air them down. When you are off road just keep an eye on the wall flex and the terrain you encounter. Low inflation and a sharp rock are not a good thing for these tires.

 

[Chris85xlt]

I ran with a 2.5" lift on stock tires (BFG MT) with spacers for 3 years. I was quit happy with them and did everything i wanted them to do from snow storms to slick rocks of Moab.

I just recently i switched to 315/70-17 Falken Wild Peaks. They sucked some power and lost some mileage (haven't installed my 4.56 gears yet) but grips well, smooth and its quiet. I also noticed the jeep wandered a bit more which might be from the wider tread.

If i wasn't so concerned with wanting better off road performance. id just run the stock BFG MT tires till u need more tire.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Just for grins-

Because of the new tires and your 2.5" lift--your +castor has been drastically reduced and your toe-in is off-

Even though you have a 6-speed manual--the 4.56 gears are a BIG MISTAKE--should goto at least 4.88s or 5.13s--

I have 5.38s, but mines an auto-

Good luck

 

[brianjwilson]

Jim you have a different engine, the 3.6 doesn't need (and probably wouldn't like) gearing as low as the 3.8 needs.
Mine has 4.10s and 35s and it isn't bad, running the numbers says that a 34" tire (most 35s) with 4.56 gearing is already lower than stock 4.10s and 32" tires. In all honestly, I would not want to be geared much lower than stock in this case, and I really like low geared rigs.
I feel like the 3.6 pulls well at lower rpms, but doesn't accelerate or gain rpm quickly. I would almost say it is faster with 35s than it was stock, but requires occasional downshifting where it didn't before. I don't know if that explanation makes sense but I wouldn't go too crazy on gearing with the 3.6. Having said that I'm not actually sure I've seen 4.56 gear sets for the d44 front....

 

[JIMBO]

:snorkel: BINGO, you're right, I forgot you had the 2012 jeep and thats because we're into the third page already-

Jim you have a different engine, the 3.6 doesn't need (and probably wouldn't like) gearing as low as the 3.8 needs.
Mine has 4.10s and 35s and it isn't bad, running the numbers says that a 34" tire (most 35s) with 4.56 gearing is already lower than stock 4.10s and 32" tires. In all honestly, I would not want to be geared much lower than stock in this case, and I really like low geared rigs.
I feel like the 3.6 pulls well at lower rpms, but doesn't accelerate or gain rpm quickly. I would almost say it is faster with 35s than it was stock, but requires occasional downshifting where it didn't before. I don't know if that explanation makes sense but I wouldn't go too crazy on gearing with the 3.6. Having said that I'm not actually sure I've seen 4.56 gear sets for the d44 front....

From what I've READ and HEARD--the 4.56 gears are about the tops for the 3.6l and as a DD-

Good luck-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Chris85xlt]

i think even with a 6speed and 3.8L motor, 4.56 is good enough for 35's. its not like the Autos where you need way more gearing. With 4.10s and ~34's it feels faster then with the old tires and cruises well. Only issue is having to ride the clutch a bit longer when leaving from a stop and occasionally when you do have to downshift on hills, its not going to over heat the trans as bad as a auto.

3.8L motor. Auto and Manual

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: All I can tell you is that I've been READING these forums for over 12 years, jeep forums for 5 years and -

i think even with a 6speed and 3.8L motor. 4.56 is good enough. its not like the Autos where you need way more gearing. With 4.10s and ~34's it feels faster then with the old tires and cruises well. Only issue is having to ride the clutch a bit longer when leaving from a stop and occasionally when you do have to downshift on hills, its not going to over heat the trans as bad as a auto.

3.8L motor. Auto and Manual
View attachment 124961

The percentage of jeeps/w 3.8L v6 that use 4.56 gears is lower than 1% and thats with a stick-

The recommended first jump is to 4.88 and SOME are happy with that, the most desirable in the last 3 years is 5.13 gears and more with autos are going to 5.38 gears, because then the O/D becomes USEABLE, but

It's you jeep, so if 4.56 gears makes you happy FOREVER --congrads-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Chris85xlt]

We'll find out next week lol

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Heh Heh, good luck-you won't findout anything in a week-

We'll find out next week lol

Lets get your impression after a year of DD/towing/tire change/hills/mpg change and the amount of time you can use 6th gear sucessfully-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[chicken corners]

:sombrero: Heh Heh, good luck-you won't findout anything in a week-




Lets get your impression after a year of DD/towing/tire change/hills/mpg change and the amount of time you can use 6th gear sucessfully-

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO[/QUOTE

JIMBO is right 4.56 is not enough. Try to find someone with a 6 speed and 4.88s or 5.13 gears and go for a test drive. Yours is a 4 door? I have friends with 2 doors and 4.88 gears that say 6th gear is barely usable.