To lift or not to lift, that is the question.

[Dechion]

Alrighty, this may sound like a complete oddball question.

 

Why would one want to lift their Jeep? (or anything else for that matter)

 

I understand the concept of making larger tires fit being one reason, and I understand that those would be of use in mud holes to reach through the mud and find something to grab underneath. I don't see the need for them other than that really.

 

I just don't understand why lifting seems to be more prevelent than simply tubbing out the wheel wells to accept a larger tire. After all, the ground clearence would be the same lifted or tubbed, it's set by the size of the tires and size and shape of the differential.

 

I am not trying to sound like a smart @$$, I am genuinely curious. I am new to the 4WD scene, and would kind of like to understand why I am doing things beyond "thats what everyone else does"

 

Why is it that big tires and a lifted truck is more desirable for off roading? Can I go trail running with my stock setup, or would that just be asking for trouble?

 

(The 4WD is a '94 XJ for now while I slowly accumulate what I will need to do a 4WD conversion on the MJ, but I want to plan that properly, and thats why I'm asking.)

[meljr]

For me, the biggest advantage of a lift is to fit a larger (taller) tire to increase off road obstacle clearance while minimizing the amount of cutting and other mods necessary to reduce tire rubbing and restrictions on wheel travel when turning.

 

For each 1" of taller tire that can be fitted, it stands to reason that 1/2" of clearance is gained. I have not lifted my Comanche yet, but from what I understand from what I read here, a 31" tall tire is about all I can expect to fit without some trimming on a 3 to 4.5" lift, so that will be my target. The lift will come after off road bumpers and a rear axle upgrade to at least a D44. From what I have seen so far Hell Creek will probably be my lift of choice.

 

Good luck with your build.

 

-meljr

[lostissues]

a lift will benefit you off road due to the fact that it gives you more ground clearance for everything but the axle. so you will not sit the body or frame on obstacles when crawling over them. it also allows you to clear bigger tires to get the axles up a bit higher.

[beepbeepmyredjeep]

Personally, I prefer my MJ non-lifted. That's because it's my daily driver, and since it's only 2WD, I never take it offroad.

 

However, I do like the extra ground clearance on my wife's JK, which has a height much higher than a stock MJ. I've only had it off-road a couple times, and only when I needed to take a shortcut off the beaten path (and the grocery store clerk gave me really funny looks for driving up a hill to get to the parking lot next door).

[mnkyboy]

A lift gives you much greater suspension travel and more articulation. It also gets the body,engine,trans,t case, ect..... up off the ground so you not dragging them over stuff and getting high centered.

 

Problem with cutting for bigger tires is that you can only cut so much before your truck becomes a truggy.

[mvusse]

And lift/larger tires is useful in more than just mud. It allows me to go over larger downed trees, up or down taller ledges and crawl over larger boulders. Assuming it would have been possible to cut enough to fit 35" tires with a stock suspension and still be able to steer (not really possibly because the front wheel well and suspension components get in the way) I still would not have nearly the suspension travel needed to tackle any of the above.

 

[Pete M]

as the others have said, ground clearance under the axles is one thing, but as soon as you leave perfectly flat ground, approach/departure and breakover angles are important too.

 

 

[kro10000]

Plus it just looks cool

[89eliminator]

because you can't do this with a stock height truck...

 

[87Warrior]

Some lift for the look.

Some lift for large tires.

Others, like myself, lift to gain ground clearance for the frame, front and rear bumpers, and the transmission/T-case.

 

When I wheeled my TJ stock I always got hung up on the center skid plate, rarely the axles.

 

A lot of times lifting involves re working the suspension system, not just throwing spacers on. The new geometry can yeild improved articulation and handling characteristics. Custom tuning your suspension to your specific needs can make your rig unstoppable.

[Dechion]

thanks for all the input folks.

 

I am still working on deciding exaclty what to do with mine. I might just keep the MJ as a daily driver and lift the XJ as the toy, since it's already 4WD.

 

Much to think about.

[Dirteatr717]

Bash on the Cherokee :D plus the departure angle on manches isn't that great... Ask my rear bumper how it knows :oops: I've never gotten hungup on the axles always between the crossmember and the front leaf mounts usually are the first to hit when I go over obstacles... Which is why I'm making sliders after longarms