Midwest style KJ

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 10:57 am

As expented I am looking to make a new modifications to my KJ after my first trip. Looking at new tires and a possible lift. I plan on driving mostly in conditions like what we had at the badlands (mud/tight trails/water/light rocks). I noticed several of you guys had steel wheels. Is that something I should look into when I get new tires? I did have one wheel that had a good scratch but nothing too bad. I found an old post in the 4x4 forums about steel vs. aluminum weight. They seem cheap compared to tires and a lift. Does the info in that post apply well midwest style trails or is that mostly for rock crawling?

Jeff

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:27 am

Hey Jeff....
Tires alone makes a big difference - my first time I went with stock tires and had to be pulled twice. 2nd trip (1st to Badlands) was with new tires - Bridgestone Dueler AT revos and it made a huge difference (245/70-16) - I've got no lift yet and I did rub a bit on tight turns - very minimal on full flex or tight spots.
The wheels/tires that Matt & Paul had on their KJs were from a Rubicon Jeep and they look great on a KJ
There are two other Midwest members who run regular wheels - one is a KJ Sport with regular wheeles & Revo's (Bogdan) and he's got a lift - the other (Freejeep) is using the same wheels that you & I have with just bigger tires and a lift - both have great capabilities and they have been offroading a lot more than the rest of us.
It is just a matter of what you can afford....
I went tires first, then will get a lift
Some others go lift first and new tires next
perfect situation would be go tires & lift in one shot
Also make sure your underbelly is fully protected - If you & I have the exactly same KJ then we both are missing one skid - I think is the Tranny skid. and of course better rock rails - I bent mine pretty good this time but nothing major.

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:36 am

I have factory skids (fuel tank, transfer case, and front suspension). I also have mopar rock rails. I will need to find transmission skid. Sounds like we have very simlar setup. I called the Jeep dealership today to get a quote on steel wheels and a lift. When I get a reply, I will ask about a mopar transmission skid to get a comparison point. I am still searching for a local 4x4 shop/store. I hope the two guys we met at Badlands will help me in that department.

Bakerkj · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:50 am

Steelies are the best for wheeling and they are cheap. The ideal setup is to have a set of m/t's on steelies for wheeling in the Midwest and some A/T's on your stock or moab rims for the street.

If you have read the steelie posts you already know the benefits of steelies, so I won't go into that.

You need to get the same backspacing that the moab rims have to avoid rubbing.

Paul

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 12:31 pm

Bakerkj wrote:

Steelies are the best for wheeling and they are cheap. The ideal setup is to have a set of m/t's on steelies for wheeling in the Midwest and some A/T's on your stock or moab rims for the street.

If you have read the steelie posts you already know the benefits of steelies, so I won't go into that.

You need to get the same backspacing that the moab rims have to avoid rubbing.

Paul

That's exactly my plan. The dealership is gonna try to take your first born to do a lift and tires, btw.

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 8:52 pm

Lift and tires really help. I am running the Rusty 2.5" suspension and 245/75R16 BFG AT for tires. Check out my mods at my cardomain site.

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:02 pm

I kept reading what everyone else was doing first , second etc and then did what I thought worked for me. First was to get rid of the junk stock tires, went to 245/70s, a little bigger, ATs so better than stock, a little taller, plus mine still has to travel about 12000 miles per year on the job , and now next comes THE LIFT! in the mean time watching for used steelies and then get some good mud tires for those fun times. I looked at it as I would only need aggressive tires 10 percent of the time at most so I worked from that point . Just my thoughts and if you ask my wife mine are not always good, but....... :lol:

KJKev · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2006 1:07 pm

Science_Guy wrote:

I have factory skids (fuel tank, transfer case, and front suspension). I also have mopar rock rails. I will need to find transmission skid. Sounds like we have very simlar setup. I called the Jeep dealership today to get a quote on steel wheels and a lift. When I get a reply, I will ask about a mopar transmission skid to get a comparison point. I am still searching for a local 4x4 shop/store. I hope the two guys we met at Badlands will help me in that department.

4 Wheel Parts is located on East Washington. They have a ton of stuff and even install most of it.
They have a website you can order from also.
The in store parts are a bit pricey, but hey, they have overhead to pay for.
I ordered my lift, tires and wheels online and then had local guys install them.
Heck, the guys in my Jeep club and I installed the lift so that didn't cost me a dime.

Sad to say, I haven't found a decent shop west of Indy where I live.

KJKev

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Wed Jan 04, 2006 7:52 pm

Thanks for the tip on 4 Wheel Parts on East Washington. I might have to drive up there for a look. I talked with Pete at Trucks in Action ( http://www.trucksinaction4x4.com/ ). Alljeep gave me their # and they have worked on several KJs. They are actually installing a 2" BDS lift tomorrow on a Liberty. I also talked to Dave and Michelle Johnson at Performance Offroad in Frankin ( http://www.performanceoffroadindy.com/ ). They have never worked on KJs which scares me but he is very friendly, cheap ($50/hour) and has worked on 4x4s.

You must tell me more about this Jeep club that helped you install your lift

Skymech · **Posted:** Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:20 pm

Science_Guy wrote:

Thanks for the tip on 4 Wheel Parts on East Washington. I might have to drive up there for a look. I talked with Pete at Trucks in Action ( http://www.trucksinaction4x4.com/ ). Alljeep gave me their # and they have worked on several KJs. They are actually installing a 2" BDS lift tomorrow on a Liberty. I also talked to Dave and Michelle Johnson at Performance Offroad in Frankin ( http://www.performanceoffroadindy.com/ ). They have never worked on KJs which scares me but he is very friendly, cheap ($50/hour) and has worked on 4x4s.

You must tell me more about this Jeep club that helped you install your lift

The BDS "2" was me

Great guys to work with. Also take a look at the Ford they are doing a lift on, 21" :shock:

Skymech

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

Science_Guy wrote:

Thanks for the tip on 4 Wheel Parts on East Washington. I might have to drive up there for a look. I talked with Pete at Trucks in Action ( http://www.trucksinaction4x4.com/ ). Alljeep gave me their # and they have worked on several KJs. They are actually installing a 2" BDS lift tomorrow on a Liberty. I also talked to Dave and Michelle Johnson at Performance Offroad in Frankin ( http://www.performanceoffroadindy.com/ ). They have never worked on KJs which scares me but he is very friendly, cheap ($50/hour) and has worked on 4x4s.

You must tell me more about this Jeep club that helped you install your lift

Hey Science Guy, I know I am a little ways from you in Dayton, OH (like 2 hours and 115 miles) But I will give you a hand with the install for free. I've probably have experience installing about 6 lifts on KJs so I've gotten quite effecient so we could crank it out pretty quick. Probably in less than 3 hours. If you want to drive over, I have no problem giving you a hand.

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 1:55 pm

Wonderful offer Eddo! Trust when/if I decide to get lifted, I will be talking to you about this offer. My wife is a Buckeye grad and we travel to OH often to visit friends/family.

rocketjocky · **Posted:** Sun Jan 08, 2006 4:39 pm

Eddo, Science_Guy
I haven't put one on yet but I live in Newark, OH. and if you guys put the lift on I would like to join you. I think it would be a great way to learn and I can help too. I'll be adding a lift.....sometime, so the education would be nice.

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

rocketjocky wrote:

Eddo, Science_Guy
I haven't put one on yet but I live in Newark, OH. and if you guys put the lift on I would like to join you. I think it would be a great way to learn and I can help too. I'll be adding a lift.....sometime, so the education would be nice.

No problem rocket. You are more than welcome to come over and help/learn. Also if you get a lift and need a hand just come on over, and I get you up and rolling. I've also installed a couple powertrax's, skids, bars, etc so I can help out will all of it.

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:39 pm

A Buckeye Lift Party!

I am looking at the next couple of months at getting mine. I could do it in my garage but if I can help (and learn) so much the better. Lets see if we can get this together soon!

vxla · **Posted:** Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:44 am

you're best doing the lift yourself...that way you learn about stuff. i can help if need be.

as far as wheels go: i wanted better back spacing than the stock wheels, plus i wanted something that wouldn't bend. not to mention, the cragar8's (imho) make the kj almost look like a real jeep!

Science_Guy · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:36 am

vxla wrote:

as far as wheels go: i wanted better back spacing than the stock wheels

Can you explain what back spacing is?

Looking at my current $ situation and the possible 04 recall, it is looking more and more like I will wait a year or so on a lift. I will get new tires (maybe wheels as well).

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 12, 2006 12:47 pm

back spacing is the measure from the back off the wheel were it contacts the hub to the edge of the rim, by using wheels with less back spacing, you get a wider stance which helps get rid of rubbing conditions common to tires with widths over 245 milimeters on the KJ. The wider stance (or track) also nets a more stable ride.

Guest · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:37 am

pixeldzn wrote:

Bakerkj wrote:

Steelies are the best for wheeling and they are cheap. The ideal setup is to have a set of m/t's on steelies for wheeling in the Midwest and some A/T's on your stock or moab rims for the street.

If you have read the steelie posts you already know the benefits of steelies, so I won't go into that.

You need to get the same backspacing that the moab rims have to avoid rubbing.

Paul

That's exactly my plan. The dealership is gonna try to take your first born to do a lift and tires, btw.

Hey Pix! Looks like you've decided on a type of lift per your signature! I've had to take the last month to realize that the 2.5" Daystar spacer kit is the only option available for me so far. I've researched non-stop to try to prove that theory wrong, but failed.

How in the heck are you going to decide which jeep gets the mods now that you have the perfect stable????

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:31 am

alljeep wrote:

How in the heck are you going to decide which jeep gets the mods now that you have the perfect stable????

The only thing that will help that is the fact that the TJ is my wife's DD and she already has to work at stepping up into it. But in the long run, I now own two money pits. :lol:

Midwest style KJ

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