What should I do first?

I have an '09 Sahara 2 dr. It is completely stock, but I have $1500 to put towards it. In the end I want it to look good, and be able to handle moderate trails (nothing too serious). I would like to get the Teraflex 2.5" coil spring lift with 33" tires. Not sure what to get first...is there anything I should be thinking about before tires/wheels and lift?? Thanks!

See my post on Jeep Forum. Gig'em!

that lift should be just right for 33s it will look great. I would the lift then the tires... might be a little more than $1500

I agree with TH.


Adding to that I'd spring for an evap skid. If you plan too wheel it much, I'd suggest getting the Poly Performance Tie Rod setup. The stock one likes to bend easily.

Thanks for the help! How much would an evap skid cost?

I believe that RG and I have the same one from Benchmark Designs.

$100

http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15997

I wouldn't waste my money on 33s save that and buy a good set of used 35s if you look around you'll find some.
I just got an awsome set of super swampers LTBs 34s for 250 only 5000 miles on them

I had that lift on my jeep and it is now on my wife's jeep. Great lift nothing should be needed with it. However as a disclaimer mine was on a 4 door. So you will get a little more lift out of it because the springs/shocks are the same for 2 door/4 door. I don't know how that effects you on a 2 door (drive shaft/TB). I have had a few people say that the lift with stock tires looks the way jeeps should look coming out of the factory. So you can run that way with stock wheels/tires until you buy them. With 35's and only that lift I could flex great with only minimal rubbing on the factory plastic bumper skid plate with a slight turn, or when making an extreme hard turn even without flexing. With 33's the rubbing will be less or not at all.

Lift and wheels/tires will probably be more than $1500 tho.

here's an idea that will get you more tire and save you some $$.

go with 35s. you'll kick yourself about 2 months later for spending the $$ on 33s. trust us. we've been there done that.

if ur set on 33s, i'd save on the lift and look for used STOCK 4-door rubicon springs - bang your done with your lift. this should get your about 1"- 1.5" of lift, maybe even 2" of lift. no other components needed. (fyi, you can fit 33s without a lift) best of all, this should be super cheap too.

spend the rest on tires and either wheels or wheel spacers (you can find used spacers for pretty cheap).

any $$ left over, put it to skid plates or used rock rails.

just an idea.

The only thing that bothers/concerns me with 35s is having issues with regearing...? I have the 3.73 gears and I was told that it would be just fine by some people and I have been told that I would need to regear from others?

You have an auto right? Welcome to suckville especially if you drive on the highway much. OD is useless. This was my experience with 35's and 4:10's.

thebigtman wrote:

You have an auto right? Welcome to suckville especially if you drive on the highway much. OD is useless. This was my experience with 35's and 4:10's.

Yeah, it's an auto...I will be moving to Florida around April for flight school so I don't know if it would be ok....people in Florida tell me it would be fine due to no hills

Don't get me wrong, it's do-able. It just drives a lot different on the highway. Around town it was no sweat.

Then again, OD kinda sucked in stock form. If you're thinking 35's i would just do it and get it over with. I now kinda wished I went to 37's!

yeah...I'm also trying to not kill my gas mileage too....would there be a real big difference in 33s and 35s?

It depends on the tires you get. Some 33's are very close to some manufacturer's 35's in ACTUAL size.

hmm, didn't know that. Well I'm looking at km2's or BFG all-terrains

Go to the respective websites and look at the tire sizes. They'll have them broken down.

If I were you, I'd just run 35's. It's not much difference and your mileage will suck running 33's or 35's.

Again, you have to consider the tread pattern and weight when looking at tires. Some tires are much heavier than others. Furthermore, rolling resistance plays a big part in your mileage. Those aggressive looking boggers will have more resistance than an all terrain. It's just food for thought.

Both tires you mentioned are pretty good. If you plan to wheel in Florida, get ready for mud. The KM2's would probably work better than the BFG AT's. If you'll drive anywhere in the snow/ice, look for a tire that has some siping. They will perform much better in those conditions than a straight mud tire with no siping.

cool, thanks for the help! When I do get my lift.....how often does everyone meet up to install? lol....

Usually people just get together when everyone has a bunch of chit to do. Let us know when you get your stuff and you can come down and we'll do an install party somewhere.

I have 35s and 3.73 gears in an auto. OD was suck before the tires and is still the suck after. I really didn't notice too much difference. *Houston = flat* I am very glad I went with 35s. I don't know if I will ever get 5.13 gears. I want the gears, even wanted them before the 35s, but just can't justifiy that cost yet. I hope the flashpaq under the tree from Santa will help a little bit on the power. Like others have said highway is the only place you will notice it. But I think I bitch at a headwind more than 35s slowing me down.

thebigtman wrote:

Usually people just get together when everyone has a bunch of chit to do. Let us know when you get your stuff and you can come down and we'll do an install party somewhere.

exactly... my parts are stacking up in the garage just waiting.

Bizarro is right. The headwinds can be a B!TCH!!!!

On my way back from Dallas (two days post lift/tires), I average 19mpg. I had a tailwind that day!

10-4 on that. We need a party soon.

I've got RCV front shafts, diff covers, and some poly front end stuff waiting to be put on. I just put on a tire carrier bumper last night.

thebigtman wrote:

Usually people just get together when everyone has a bunch of chit to do. Let us know when you get your stuff and you can come down and we'll do an install party somewhere.

sweet...that would be awesome. Im originaly from (parent's house) Cibolo, just outside of SA so that would be great.

No worries. There's enough of us that can help you out and get you squared away.