255/70R17 with Frankenlift?

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

After looking at Rock Lizard's sight, and looking at a lot of the pics around here, I'm wondering about a combination. The Frankenlift with OME shocks and struts, with 255/70R17 Destination AT's measuring 31.1" in diameter and 10.2" in section width, and weighing 40 lbs each. These would be mounted on the 17X7.5" Limited rims I have now, with 1" wheel spacers. I think that would put the outer edge of the rim the same as the Moabs, and the inner edge 1/2" farther out. Please correct me if this is wrong. I would put the Rock Lizard front and rear bumpers on it, and get them painted to match. I'd flatten the pinch weld to keep it from rubbing there. These tires would be 9-10 lbs lighter than the 245/75R16 MTR's, and .4" larger in diameter, and extremely close in section width to the MTR's on 8" wide rims. I can use extended bump stops also, since it won't really see any trail use. Just needs to be able to get me to my ski trips on the weekends in the winter, and handle some hilly gravel roads at around 20 mph. I'd put Al's A-arms on it up front, but is there anything that needs to be done in the rear to recenter the axle. Any advice would be appreciated as I've never lifted a vehicle before. Drove a sports car until I got snowed in during the winter of '98. Driven Jeeps ever since.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 12:15 pm

Nope, no need to recenter the rear axle with any lifts that are available for the liberty at this point.

You seem to be going from simple to extreme though! :lol:

Just wondering, why would you want those bumpers if you will never go offroad? I agree that they look sweet, but its just added weight if you dont use them.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

I like the look, and will take care of part of the rubbing issues in the front. This, without the bumpers was also my original question to you, but with the Silent Armors, which also look interesting, but they're probably about 1/2" wider in this size on these rims. I thought they'd be more likely to rub, and I really like the Destination AT's I have now. I also want it to be able to be taken down a trail though as long as it wasn't a very risky one. Not very experienced off road and wouldn't want to end up on the roof. I thought few times about getting a used Wrangler and building it up to learn though. My original plans where to order a lift for it as soon as I got home, but none were available, and it felt pretty sluggish. A couple years later, there were a couple cat-backs, and air filters, and a chip that didn't work for me. I've taken care of the power problem, and once I put the 206 cams in, and get my headers back from JBA, I'll have plenty of power to handle the extra weight of the bumpers. I guess you haven't noticed that I can go a little overboard with my hobbies. Look at what I did because I thought it was sluggish. Plus, if this makes it too slow again, I can always put in some forged rods and pistons, and setup the N2O with a progressive direct ported 60 hp shot. That would basically be around an extra 75 hp and 90 ftlb torque at the crank at the flip of a switch, or I could build the block in the garage for a turbo or supercharger.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Any advice from people running tires bigger than the 245/75R16's and front or rear bumpers? Also is there anything I'm forgetting to make this work, or something that I really should change? I'm going to have to save up some more hobby money since I just paid a surprising amount of additional taxes, but I really think this is how I'd like to build it. I'd also probably end up putting an ARB up front to have selectable open or fully locked, and a ring to strengthen it, and a Dana 44 into the rear with an Auburn ECTED to have lsd or fully locked, but that will have to wait for another round of modifications. Already going to be expensive.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:25 pm

Well I run 265/75R16's and have the ARB front bumber and RL rear bumber.I also run the Skyjacker coil lift(pre-soft coil) and I'm netting about 3 1/2" lift using a 3/8" clevis lift and 2 extra upper isolators(rear) per side.After pounding down the pinch weld I have zero rub up front using 16x7 rims with 4.5" BS,the rear is a different story.As with all the lifts the rear axle got moved forward and I rub on the front of the rear wheelwells(not to bad though),to supside the load noises the rubbing made I removed the rear flares also(actually the rear tires would remove the flares for me).I choose not to use adjustable lower arms in the rear because if you don't move the top of the axle out to then you point the pinion shaft down causing u-jiont bind and premature failure,then you need a custom upper tri-link made and that's money wasted since my IFS is hopefully going to be short lived.I can live the rear rub for now.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:26 pm

You wouldnt really gain anything by going to a dana 44.. Ive heard its not much stronger than the 8.25..

Have you turned the table and decided to take this thing offroad? With a ARB in the front diff, it would go just about anywhere till the front diff went boom. :lol:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2007 6:30 pm

Quote:

You wouldnt really gain anything by going to a dana 44.. Ive heard its not much stronger than the 8.25..

You'll loose the c-clips(known weak link) and have a broader aftermarket support(ie-more gear choices,upgraded brakes,and lockers).As far a brute strength the 8.25 is slightly weaker than the 44.

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

Do you think I would have the same issues going with no clevis, and 1 isolator per side in the rear to level it, and with 1 size smaller tires 255/70R17 in at AT instead of MT? If so, I think I'll have to look at the 255/65R17's and an HD OME lift and a 1/2" strut spacer or clevis in the front, or maybe the 245/70R17's and the Rusty's?

I don't expect to ever break the 8.25 with my usage. I thought it could be possible when I was racing, and was going to put in a 44 if I ever did. I would like the 44 so I can get the ECTED. I wish they would make a selectable open / fully locked like the ARB for the front, and the lsd / locked for the 8.25.

I don't really plan to use it as a trail rig, but want it to be at least capable of easier trails should I ever feel the need for camping, hiking, caving, etc... Also, a little bigger and heavier, with more control over the locking, and bigger tires should help for the ski trips and ice storms. It's already pretty impressive.

255/70R17 with Frankenlift?

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