socal1200r

Pete - checked the eBay references you had, and found these as current listings from the same sellers. Are these what I need, especially the rear shackles (he had a lot of different ones listed)? I pm'd the guy selling the used spacers, and the used shackles don't have grease fittings, so I'm more interested in new ones. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... %26ps%3D63 (2” Cherokee spacers) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... %26ps%3D63 (Chevy 2” rear shackles) If these are what I need, I'll probably do a "buy it now" and be done with it. WAY cheaper than the kit on Amazon!

Pete - you da man, thanks for the suggestion! Any chance you have the info on those Chevy shackles (part number, or year/make/model)? I haven't found anyone that makes air shocks for the Comanche, thus my interest in the air bag kit. Not looking to lift it any higher with the air bags, but rather level it out should I be hauling or towing anything that would make it sag. I'm all for saving money, and supporting the underground eBay economy, so if I can find suitable parts there, I'm all over it. But I need to know what shackles to look for...

Found some kits on Amazon that are making their way to the top of my list. One is a lift kit that will give me 1.75" on the front using spacers, and 1" on the back using greaseable shackles. The other is an air bag helper kit. The lift kit is $160, the air bag kit is $190, and I got a quote from someone who'll install both kits for $350. I have a daughter who'll be graduating from high school in May, and she just might want this truck, thus the reason why I'm keeping it close to stock. I realize it's a small amount of lift, but it'll give a little more clearance for the 31s I just had installed, and the air bags will help level the back should anything heavy be put in the back, or tow anything. She's a surfer and state beach lifeguard during the summer, so this could be perfect for her, provided she can learn to drive a stick!

Yikes, that's what I was afraid of...guess I'll pass for now, and just try and enjoy driving it as is for a while, lol...like my dad used to tell me, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"...

There's a guy selling a set of 3" XJ lift coils on the local 4wd forum for $60. I'm tempted to get them, but my next question would be how to lift the back to compensate for the 3" coils in the front? I thought I saw some Chevy spring shackles on another thread somewhere? I've heard add-a-leafs are not the way to go, makes the ride too stiff? Also, would I have to get new shocks with 3" of lift?

After getting numerous new tire quotes, and searching the local Craig's List for tires, and reading tire reviews on Tire Rack, I pulled the trigger and got a set of new Firestone Destination ATs, in 31x10.50-15. Wow, what a difference in looks from the stock 225/75 Michelins! They don't come anywhere near rubbing on those WJ LCAs I had installed, and there was just some minor lower inner fender trimming I had to do on the front driver's side. Looks like when the PO put the fender flares back on after the truck got painted, that part didn't sit completely flat against the fender, so an inside lower corner piece stuck out just enough to barely catch the tire. So I trimmed it back, and no issues now. Good thing was I got the tires mounted and balanced, with road hazard warranty and alignment check, for less than $500, on a 90-days same as cash plan. Can't beat that with a stick, lol! Thanks to everyone who built up my confidence that a set of 31s will work with the WJ LCAs. I'm definitely a happy camper now...

Looked at some used tires on the local Craig's List, and it's amazing how the words "look like new", "lots of tread left", etc. can have so many different meanings to different people, lol! Based on those experiences, I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a new set of Firestone Destination ATs, and just get them mounted on the Jeep alloys I have now. Total should be less than $540, with road hazard warranty. Next cheapest price I got was about $550 from WalMart, for a set of Uniroyal Liberators. WalMart had a GREAT looking tire, a Goodyear Authority AT, but a set of those would've cost over $620. The Firestones are made in the US or Canada, and the Uniroyals are made in Mexico. I'm staying away from Chinese tires, so that and the out the door prices cut the list down. That and the fact that Firestone has a 90-day same as cash plan helped sway me to those tires. I did some measurements on the bumpstop distance, and came up with 65mm. Then I measured the wheelwell gap I have right now with the 225/75 Michelins I have, and came up with 125mm. So I figured I have about 55mm to play with, or a little over 2". From some of these tire calculator sites, a 31x10.50 will be roughly 2.75" wider in overall diameter, so a little over 1.25" at the top of the tire, so any up and down movement should still hit the bumpstop before the fender. TireRack has some really good reviews on the Firestone Destination ATs, especially wet traction, so for the money, I think I'm getting a good deal.

Pete and Eagle Thanks for the no-BS info, that helps a LOT. I still haven't decided which route I'm going to take, either getting 31s for the 15x7 Jeep alloys I have on there now, or looking at this set of 15x8s with 30s. The only downside I've read so far is the Goodyear GSA 30s on the 15x8s are definitely not the best tire around (GSA = get stuck anywhere, lol). A new set of Firestone Destination ATs in 31x10.50 is going to set me back about $560, and the seller of the 15x8s with 30s is asking $275. I'm throwing in the towel on trying to figure out the charging problem I'm having with the MJ, so I'm taking it to a repair shop tomorrow. Depending on how much it's going to cost to fix that problem, could influence which tire option I'll end up going with. Thanks again for the "real world" info on 31s clearing fenders and slightly rubbing on the LCAs only at full lock. Since I have the WJ LCAs on there now, rubbing on them shouldn't be a problem. And that's a good idea to measure the distance between the bump stop and axle, and compare that with the wheelwell gap. That'll give me a much better idea of potential bottoming out on the fender. A 31x10.50 will be almost 3" wider in overall diameter than the 225/75 I have on there now. But cut that number in half, and add that to the top of the tire I have on there now, compare it to the bumpstop distance, and I'll know if a 31 will bottom out or not.

Well, I've figured out that the 15x8s off the 2004 Wrangler WILL fit my '88 Comanche. However, being stock ride height, I think I'm asking for trouble running 15x8s with 30s or 31s. I took a good look at the 15x7 alloys I have on there now, and if I look straight up from the outer tire edge (225/75 Michelins), if that wheel was to bounce straight up, it'd bottom out on the fender. Oh wait, maybe it won't, it'll hit the bumpstop first, right? If it looks that close on the 15x7s I have on there now on the front, I'm guessing 15x8s will definitely rub somewhere, either at the lower fender edges, or upper fender, without a lift of some kind?

I hate to ask the obvious, but what's the significance of the other Jeep wheels not being "hub-centric" to ours? Does that mean the hub opening is bigger than ours, and the wheel studs won't be enough to keep the wheel steady at speed, or does not being hub-centric mean something else? Weather permitting, tomorrow (Fri) I'm going to visit this guy selling the 2004 Wrangler 15x8s with 30x9.50 Goodyear GSAs on them. He said he has floor jacks and an impact wrench, and we can test fit the wheels/tires to see about fender clearance and lower control arm rubbing. Since I got the WJ LCAs installed, I'm not worried it'll rub there. But I am concerned they'll rub either the lower edges of the fenders, or could bottom out against the top fender.

The shop that installed my LCAs is very well known for their 4x4 expertise in these parts, and they didn't have too much trouble installing the WJ LCAs. They did grind down the bushings to MJ width, to narrow them enough to fit into the stock brackets, and used new mounting hardware. They also had to grind down a bit of the brackets themselves, because the ends of the of the new LCAs were running into some binding issues when they were at full drop. But the mechanic came out into the waiting room and told me about all this, because like you said, he didn't want to hack up any part of the unibody beyond what was needed to make the new LCAs work like they're supposed to. Took half an hour longer than estimated, but they're on now, so that's one less modification I'll have to worry about!

Okay, got the WJ LCAs installed, and now I'm shopping around for tires. So I look on the local Craigs List, and find a guy selling a set of '04 Wrangler "Ravine" alloys, 15x8, 25.4 offset, 5x114.3 bolt pattern, with 30x90.50 Goodyear Wrangler GSAs mounted (38K miles), and he's asking $275 for the set of 5 wheels/tires (http://norfolk.craigslist.org/pts/1488502515.html). I'm VERY tempted to get these, as opposed to a new set of 31s on my 15x7 Jeep alloys. My questions are as follows: 1) This is the same bolt pattern that I currently have, correct? (5x114.3 = 5x4.5?) 2) The width and offset won't create fender clearance issues? 3) The 30" tire on an 8" rim, as opposed to a 31" tire on a 7" rim, shouldn't have any rubbing issues? Whaddaya think?

So will stock 15" Jeep rims off a 2004 Wrangler fit a 1988 Comanche? I guess the bigger question is, when did the bolt pattern change from 5x4.5 to 5x5? I know most of the Cherokee/Wrangler rims are interchangeable, up to the year they changed the bolt pattern? BREAK: found this website, and according to the list, wheels from a 2004 Wrangler should fit my 1988 Comanche? http://www.shoplynch.com/jeepstore/jeepid.html

Got the WJ LCAs today, and went to the shop that's done work on some of my vehicles to get an estimate. They wanted $240 (3 hours labor) to install the WJ LCAs! WTF, over?! So I called an offroad place that specializes in all kinds of stuff for 4x4s, told them I wanted to replace the stock LCAs on my MJ with WJ LCAs, and they'd have to do some grinding on the ends to get them to fit, but no welding or fabrication, and they said they'd charge me $75! So I have an appt on Wed to get that done. Also, I got estimates for new 31s from some local tire shops, and the quotes ranged from $560 to $585. I drove by a Firestone store and decided to stop just for the heck of it. The store manager said if I waited until tomorrow, I could get a "buy three get one free" deal on the Firestone Destination AT. So that'll work out to be around $540 for a set of brand name tires (the others weren't), mounted, balanced, valve stems, with the road hazard warranty. I checked this tire on Tire Rack, and it's gotten really good reviews. I'd be looking at $550 from Tire Rack just for the tires and shipping, plus another $100 to get them mounted/balanced, plus road hazard warranty. So I think I've found the tires I'll be getting. If I remember, I'll try and take some "before and after" pictures of the LCAs and tires. Now I just have to get a new alternator so the MJ will start...

Like the old saying goes, "if it clears by an inch, it clears by a mile"...I think 31s on stock alloys and stock ride height with WJ LCAs should work for me, because like I mentioned, I don't plan on doing any off-roading, other than driving on the sand at the beach, or on a fire trail road. So as long as they don't rub on the fenders, and the WJ LCAs should fix any rubbing on hard parts, I think I'll be good to go. I'm anxious to get the WJ LCAs installed and the 31s, before my daughter gets here in a couple of weeks, so she can see what the MJ looks like. Hopefully the gas gauge will be working correctly by then, but if not, it's an easy work around. I was thinking of playing it safe and just getting 30s instead of 31s, but seems that I can roll the dice on 31s on stock alloys and be fairly safe, especially with the WJ LCAs.

And they tucked up under the fenders, with no rubbing, except on the LCAs, which the WJ LCAs should fix, right?

Pete - I have the same alloys on my '88 (they're 15x7, right?). Are those still the 31s on those rims, with no lift? If so, that should be exactly what mine will look like after I get the WJ LCAs installed (should have them today or tomorrow) and 31s mounted. No real plans to do any serious offroading, so 31s on stock alloys with no lift should work just fine. 'Course my oldest daughter, who's a senior in high school and a CA state beach lifeguard, hasn't seen my truck yet, so she just might like it as a graduation present, lol! She'd be a hit with the other lifeguards I'm sure, especially the dudes, if she showed up for work in my Comanche with 31s, alloys, and maybe a slight lift, lol! Anyway, if your pic has 31s on 15x7 stock alloys and no lift, that gives me a really good visual of what mine will look like.

So if I'm following your thread correctly, the pics of your MJ from page 1, regarding your wheel/tire setup: those are stock Jeep alloys (15x7?), 30x9.50 tires, with 1.5" of lift? My MJ has Jeep alloys (15x7), no lift, WJ LCAs on order (shld have them by Mon), and after the WJ LCAs are installed, I'm thinking hard about getting a set of 31x10.50s. I like the look of your setup from page 1, but I don't have any plans to lift it just yet. If I do, I'll probably go 3", and buy new shocks to match the lift (that's why I don't want to lift it right away, just installed new front shocks). The worst off-roading my MJ should see is beach sand and maybe a fire trail road, no rock crawling or anything "severe" like that. I like that bumper too, might have to look for something similar...

And set a plate out for all of those who are in harm's way today, and won't be able to celebrate with their families. Being in a war zone over the holidays can be VERY depressing, so think good thoughts for those who can't be home for the holidays...

Yeah, his article was about putting WJ LCAs on his XJ. He was able to get the fronts of the LCAs to fit by spreading the brackets on the front axle. But he didn't have stock frame brackets, so he had to do some cutting and welding to get the back ends of the LCAs to fit. I'll crawl under the MJ once the new LCAs get here, so I'll have a better idea of what's in store. There's this repair shop a few miles away that's worked on some of my vehicles. I'll probably get an estimate from them, but let them know some "minor modifications" might be necessary in order to get them to fit. I'll eventually get a bench grinder, just don't want to experiment on these new parts for my first time using one, lol!

The Aussie guy spread the brackets apart and got them to fit (at least the fronts), instead of grinding down on the wider WJ bushings. I'd rather go that route first, and see if I can get them to fit. It looks like the bend in those LCAs will give a set of 31s the room they need to not rub. I ordered a set of new WJ LCAs off eBay for $84, should have them in a few days. Checked some of the local yards and auto parts stores beforehand, and they pretty much wanted $75 for each side, so getting both for $84 off eBay seemed like a pretty good deal. So once those puppies are on, I'll start my search for a set of 31s, most likely the local Craig's List...

Based on your writeup, I think I'll have to make sure the shapes of the ends of the WJ arms mimic the MJ ones, so they don't bind or stop after they're bolted up. I knew it wasn't going to be as easy as I thought, lol! I don't have an impact wrench or grinder of any sort, so it looks like I'll be supporting one of the local auto maint shops when I get my WJ LCAs. I'll make sure to go to the local hardware store and get new, longer mounting bolts, washers, and nuts, in case they need to "finesse" the new WJ LCAs into the old MJ brackets...

True enough ... but most "31s" tend to run about 30-1/2" in diameter. The 265s may be taller because they're on narrower rims, so the sidewalls are squeezed in a bit. Plus, of course, they have full tread. My 31s are on 7" Jeep rims and they work on the XJ at stock height (subject to the usual caveat about LCA rubbing). Eagle - I'm deferring to your comments about how 31's on stock Jeep alloys will clear the fenders, but only slightly rub the LCAs at full lock. Been doing some research, figured out WJ LCAs are off a Grand Cherokee, and they have that slight "S" shape that should take care of any rubbing. The writeup that I found was done by some guy in Australia, and the only issue he had was the ends of the WJ LCAs are wider than stock MJ's, so the brackets had to be pried apart by a few mm in order to make them work. But he got them to work, also had to use slightly longer bolts, but that looks to be about it. I found a pair of WJ LCAs on eBay for $85, which includes S&H, as opposed to $75 each at the local Advance Auto Parts store. Figure if I'm going to run 31's, might as well get the WJ LCAs and do it right. I posted a thread about this same thing on the local 4-wheelers website, still waiting for some feedback. But for now, I'm on the hunt for some WJ LCAs (99-04), and once I get then installed, will look hard at some 31s. Thanks!

Got some tire calculations done, and it looks like my choices are going to be: 265/70, 30x9.5, or 31x10.50 Seems that the 265/70 will be about 1.5" wider in overall diameter than the 225/75's I have on there now, with the speedo reading less than 3mph slower. At the other end, 31x10.50 will be 2.5" wider in OD, and read a little over 5mph slower. I'm concerned with the 31's rubbing, so may compromise with 30's or 265/70's. I'm looking at the General Grabber AT2, which I think Tire Rack has for less than $110 each, which is MUCH less than BFG AT's. I also like the Yokohama Geolander ATs, and the Dunlop Radial Rover. But from the reviews, seems that the General Grabbers will be at the top of my list. I have 15x7 Wrangler alloys, not sure what the offset is though (35mm?). Seems that there's some disagreement over whether or not 31's on these types of stock alloys would work, i.e. they'll clear the fender flares but could rub at full lock. The one picture of the stock white MJ with the 31's looks great, even though it's aftermarket rims, so maybe there's hope those would work on my MJ...

Wow, those tires look pretty big on a non-lifted MJ. 'Course I don't want to get too big, since it's only a 4-cyl under the hood, but I don't plan on doing any off-roading other than beach sand or fire trail roads. Looks like with those 31s there's a lot less suspension travel available, but again, for the kind of driving I plan on doing, that should be okay. Seems like 31s will work, but might rub on the LCAs, depends on the offset of the wheels. When I'm due for new tires, I'll think about 30s or 31s, in AT tread design as opposed to MT...