Making my Jeep smaller?

[a-mechanic]

Hi, First real post here.
I built my JKU up for off road adventures over the course of many years and 290,000+ miles. Camping and travel were the side effects of my hobby.
Events change things, and now I have begun building with plans to do more overlanding with some moderate off road challenges. This travel is beginning next summer. I tend to use the mentality of run what you have. However, with 5 inches of lift, 5:13 gears and big tires, range is an issue for a couple areas I would like to go. I keep waffling between just carry more fuel and slowly make it smaller, or reduce the size in one go. My issue with all in one go is, that it is going to cost a lot of travel money rather than when the tires wear out or the shocks die. The next issue is that right now my only choice for shipping is RORO, but how bad will that be? Can I get away with it for awhile? TIA from a relatively new overlander, with decades of camping experience.

 

[Ozarker]

Sounds like you're getting wiser on your way back to reality, have a nice trip.

Jacked up Jeeps with big tires aren't really the best overlanding vehicles.

Yes, you can do it, until you get tired of it.

 

[a-mechanic]

Sounds like you're getting wiser on your way back to reality, have a nice trip.

Jacked up Jeeps with big tires aren't really the best overlanding vehicles.

Yes, you can do it, until you get tired of it.

Thanks, I am looking forward to it. I do recognize the build direction has changed, so in that sense the reality has indeed changed.

 

[nwoods]

If you are running bigger than 37” tires, then yeah, maybe drop down to 3.5” springs, and put on some 37” AT’s. The BFG’s run a bit small, so mentally you’ve got 37’s but really you’re on 35.X in terms of true tire size. Leave the gearing alone.

Focus on building out the rear for a proper camp kitchen in inclement weather, and you’ll be fine. My two cents.

I say this because that it’s pretty close to what I have. 2014 JKUR on 37’s with 4.5” short arm lift, 5:13 gearing, and a lot of attention put into making me comfortable in it, and capable with it.

 

[a-mechanic]

If you are running bigger than 37” tires, then yeah, maybe drop down to 3.5” springs, and put on some 37” AT’s. The BFG’s run a bit small, so mentally you’ve got 37’s but really you’re on 35.X in terms of true tire size. Leave the gearing alone.

Focus on building out the rear for a proper camp kitchen in inclement weather, and you’ll be fine. My two cents.

I say this because that it’s pretty close to what I have. 2014 JKUR on 37’s with 4.5” short arm lift, 5:13 gearing, and a lot of attention put into making me comfortable in it, and capable with it.

Thanks, that's where I was leaning. It's been really dependable as is. I am working on the inside. It's coming along. Maybe A/T's when these are worn out. That'll be hard since I have been on mud tires since the 90's.

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[nwoods]

… I have been on mud tires since the 90's.

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lol, just for grins, a month or two ago I swapped my 37” Cooper STT’s for a buddies 35” Toyo Open County AT’s off his Gladiator. Wow, made my Jeep feel like a Toyota Camry on the road. Didn’t even look all that bad in terms of size. Sorta

 

[Dan Grec]

How tall is your Jeep?
I'd be surprised if it's taller than my Wrangler camper that is exactly 90" tall. I managed to *just* stuff it into a 20 foot container.
Air down, ratchet strap the axles to compress the suspension.

-Dan

 

[a-mechanic]

How tall is your Jeep?
I'd be surprised if it's taller than my Wrangler camper that is exactly 90" tall. I managed to *just* stuff it into a 20 foot container.
Air down, ratchet strap the axles to compress the suspension.

-Dan

Actually, that would do it for sure. Ratcheting down the axle alone should make it fit, that never occurred to me. The last part of this for international travel is the modified suspension, for example control arms etc. if I break a heim joint in south America, how bad will it be to get fixed? Should I de-modify the suspension for those reasons?

 

[Dan Grec]

Actually, that would do it for sure. Ratcheting down the axle alone should make it fit, that never occurred to me. The last part of this for international travel is the modified suspension, for example control arms etc. if I break a heim joint in south America, how bad will it be to get fixed? Should I de-modify the suspension for those reasons?

Rock Auto ships anywhere in the world in a few days. You can DHL or FedEx basically anything anywhere.
Just have a friend or family send you something if it breaks.

-Dan

 

[alanymarce]

How tall is your Jeep?
I'd be surprised if it's taller than my Wrangler camper that is exactly 90" tall. I managed to *just* stuff it into a 20 foot container.
Air down, ratchet strap the axles to compress the suspension.

-Dan

I was thinking the same thing - if not standard (2.39 m internal) then a "Hi-top" (2.70 m internal).

Rock Auto ships anywhere in the world in a few days. You can DHL or FedEx basically anything anywhere.
Just have a friend or family send you something if it breaks.

-Dan

Bear in mind that some countries do not permit vehicle spares to be imported - there are ways around it, however you need to be aware.

A couple of further thoughts:
- I suggest that ATs will be better then MTs on tarmac - quieter and better handling in the wet. After lots of experience with others we've settled on Toyos.

- I think that it does make sense to get back to something more like a standard configuration - your vehicle is capable of long distance travel in standard specification, and is still very capable "off road" (In terms of unsurfaced roads/tracks, mud, water crossings, and so on. My (limited) experience in vehicles with lift more than 50 mm or so is that they are a lot less comfortable in terms of ride. If you plan long trips without much "off road" then I think you'll appreciate the comfort of a less aggressive suspension and tyres.

 

[a-mechanic]

I was thinking the same thing - if not standard (2.39 m internal) then a "Hi-top" (2.70 m internal).

Bear in mind that some countries do not permit vehicle spares to be imported - there are ways around it, however you need to be aware.

A couple of further thoughts:
- I suggest that ATs will be better then MTs on tarmac - quieter and better handling in the wet. After lots of experience with others we've settled on Toyos.

- I think that it does make sense to get back to something more like a standard configuration - your vehicle is capable of long distance travel in standard specification, and is still very capable "off road" (In terms of unsurfaced roads/tracks, mud, water crossings, and so on. My (limited) experience in vehicles with lift more than 50 mm or so is that they are a lot less comfortable in terms of ride. If you plan long trips without much "off road" then I think you'll appreciate the comfort of a less aggressive suspension and tyres.

I appreciate it, I think I will swap items out as they wear out. Switch to AT's etc. I appreciate the input.

 

[a-mechanic]

I think based partly on the input, I will probably save the money and just replace items as they go out, thankfully the majority of the components outside the suspension and my locker wiring are factory. I will keep working on the inside to make it reasonably comfortable without buying too much gear.

 

[Rubiconx1]

Jacked up Jeeps with big tires aren't really the best overlanding vehicles.

No disrepect, but that is the dumbest statement I have heard in a long time. My 2014 has a 3.5 inch rock crawler lift on 37 inch tires, and it is setup specifically for overlanding. I removed the rear seats and built a platform frame out of 1.5 inch .125 angle, with 3/4 plywood with each of three sections tat open covered by speaker carpet (very playable) to make storage areas under both sides of the back doors and rear cargo area. PRP seats up front that fold all the way forward to the dash so I can stretch my 6’4” frames a night while sleeping, 4 inch foam cut in three in three sections for our mattress, 12v fridge, small plastic totes to organize kitchen, food, cloths, etc, side storage bags on the roll bar at each side for more storage, etc, etc. The 3.5 inch lift and 37” tires means I don’t get hung up on rocks, warn 10s Xeon winch in case I get stuck, stock 4.10 gears with lockers that came stock on my Rubicon get me 19 mpg on highway, and tons of other things for overlanding like a shower/toilet tent, portable toilet (for wife), 120v led lights with remote for visitors at night, Bluetti power station and lots of other overlanding gear. My tires are Micky Thompson Baja Boss tires that have good street manners and are great offroad.

I spend 3-4 weeks in Moab every year, which includes overlanding. I’ve also done trails like the Rubicon without any issues BECAUSE my Jeep is able to tackle this kind of trail and camp along the way.

Use a quality lift with good street performance, good AT tires and prep your Jeep with gear for long overland trips. I don’t like the Jeep air mattress because I’m too tall for these, but this is an easy sleeping solution for folks who are not 6’4”. Get good sleeping bag and things like over the window bug screens for the windows off Amazon. I also added a small piece of paracord through the plastic vent on the tailgate so I can open the door from the inside of the Jeep.

Get creative and a lifted jeep will serve you well while overlanding.

 

[a-mechanic]

I hear what you're saying, my jacked up Jeep has served me well for Overlanding or off road camping. Specifically for a few weeks at a time in several places like the UP, Colorado, Utah etc. My concern was more long term travel out of the US. Including range and finding part replacements (non OE) for long term travel (Like a year+ on the road).

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[Ozarker]

I don't consider 3.5 inches "jacked up", 3+ feet is jacked up, imo.

While I own a '22 Jeep Cherokee Trail Hawk, it offers a bit more civilization than it's hard riding brothers.

For the rest of the Jeeps, I had my fill of riding in and driving the Willey's/Jeep in my Army days. I owned a '92 JK for too long.

I realize the newer Jeeps aren't the little battle buckets I used, but the fact is, Jeeps drink gas, ride rough, are loud with engine/gear and road noise, parts are pricey and expensive to repair, but they are capable machines; but you won't see them win any prizes in the Grand Touring class.

That said, you do what you gotta do, go with what ya got, make the best of what you have.

Lots of forum spit about the best Overlanding vehicle, the truth is, it depends on where you're going. The route, destination, load, number of souls on board and your expectations will dictate the best vehicle, there is no "one vehicle does it all".