Which came first, tire or the lift?

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 5:44 pm

I am new to KJ and went on my first trail ride yesterday. I was very happy with the stock performance but looking to add more. The two most obvious additions will be new tires and a lift. I will be ready to get new tires this summer and hope to get a lift at about the same time. My question is should I consider one before the other? I like the REVO tires but I want to make sure I get something that will also go well with a lift if I am able to get one.

Jeff

priell3 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 5:49 pm

If you can only go for the tires, get something like the Revos in 245/70/16. Bigger and better than stock tires and won't look out of place if you add a lift later.

I have a 2" lift and that size tires and I think it looks okay and works well. Pics here: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/338447/3

KJ04 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 5:54 pm

You'll need the lift first if your going for larger tires.
Take some time and read through some of the various posts to see all your options.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 6:21 pm

Tires are the only way to get lift. Ground clearance only changes with tire size or a jack.

235 to 245 70 will only give you 1/4"

I would go to a 245/75 which will give you 3/4" and will work till you get lifted.

I would go for the lift first because you can never tell what kinda deals on tires you can get later.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 8:00 pm

The Ferg is right as usual. When I bought my tires (i got them first), I got All-Terrains cause they were on sale. As I got older and more into mud and more wise, I realized the tire was all wrong for me. Had I waited one week, the mud terrains would have been on sale for the same as regular retail price of my AT's. That's my luck though. I will leave it alone for a few months, then wait for the mud terrain's come on sale again.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:00 pm

I disagree.

A lift will raise your front end clearance. Yes, it does create clearance.
Larger tires are limited without a lift. You can go to larger tires AND more lift if you have a lift already added.

Without the lift, you can only go so big with the tires. If you get the lift afterwards, you still have the smaller tires.

Okay, what are your plans for off-roading? That can play a role in what you should choose also.

camper · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:04 pm

the wheel wells on the KJ are not designed with a very generous extra space to accomodate a larger diameter tire....so while it is true that larger diameter tires provide lift/ground clearance, you have to consider creating some additional room in the wells....that's why many here will suggest a suspension lift before you mount new tires...

the wranglers and cherokees have after market fender flares that allow folks to cut out a section of fender sheet metal and then hide the cut with the new plastic flares....on the KJ, the rear doors create a part of the rear fender well....no one that I've seen has offered a product to alter this rear design....some folks here have increased their tire size diameter without lifting the suspension...but you have a greater incidence of rubbing the tires against the vehicle when the suspension travels....

my study of the advice on this forum and others led me to the following sequence....I assume you have appropriate tow points for both front and rear (either hooks or hitch)...

first.....purchase driveline protection armor....i.e. factory or aftermarket skids for the front, the transfer case, and the rear gas tank....purchase rocker panel protection between the tires (boulder bars, sliders)....purchase an aftermarket transmission skid to complete the protection underneath....additional protection to consider is for the rear differential cover....

second.....suspension lift....there are many options and price points....I have the rusty's coil spring replacement which is advertised to gain 2 1/2 inches of "wheel well room"....there are cheaper products and also more expensive....

third.....replaces the tires with the generally recommended size of 245/75/16 which is about 30 1/2 inches in diameter.....any tire larger in diameter (or much wider) introduces rubbing in some circumstances.....

again, this is what I did as a "rookie" and I've been satisfied with my choices....there are several who would agree with me....or course, there are several who decided differently....

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 8:32 am

FWIW, I agree w/ Steve.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 9:58 am

Camper has a good sequence.

TokyoJoe, where do you buy that lift that gives you front end "A Arm" clearance? I need one.... :lol:

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 3:59 pm

Camper used the most logical sequence even though I did mine totally different (tires, lift, saving up for skids at the moment). The only thing I would suggest is tow hooks/reciever hitch first. I think what tokyojoe meant was center ground clearance. All lifts for independant suspension will increase clearance (one of our advantages over solid axles) without tires in the center of the rig. A lift pushes down on the A-arm giving a little clearance because it is at a steeper angle.

Which came first, tire or the lift?

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