Another lift question

[CRM1988]

If I put a 2 inch spacer and drop shackle lift on my 88 MJ what is the largest size tires I could run on stock 15 inch wheels and what would be a good tire to run on a daily driver?

[Pete M]

30" tires probably work out best, but 31s can fit if you stick with OEM style rims.  :thumbsup:

[SBpunk]

31's will fit without any lift and look good. Only problem is you're going to have to start worrying about gears. Specially in a manual. I swapped in some 3.55 axles (have a rear 8.8 with 410 gears going in soon) and it feels better than the 3.07s did. Technically with two inches of lift you can probably fit up to 33's with some trimming. If not then stick with 31x10.5r15 or 31x12r15 with a little bit of a spacer in the rear. Here's mine with 2-3 inches of lift with 31x10.5r15

 

[Crash]

I wouldn't install anything larger than 30's with stock gears.

[CRM1988]

So with that being said Crash, how will running stock gears with 30s affect the driveability?

[Incommando]

I run 32's with stock gears. I have no trouble on the highway or around town. Is it ideal? No. Is it something you can live with? Definitely

[Pete M]

it'll be far more noticeable with a stick than an auto.  I went up to 30s in my 88 (4.0/stick/3.07s) and disliked it.  it was definitely driveable (was my dd at the time), but it always felt sluggish, especially off the line.  would I have traded back to the tiny tires with which my truck came to me? no.  definitely would have kept the 30s :D  (but after my dana 35 blew up I went to 3.55s for a bit more kick)

[SBpunk]

it'll be far more noticeable with a stick than an auto.  I went up to 30s in my 88 (4.0/stick/3.07s) and disliked it.  it was definitely driveable (was my dd at the time), but it always felt sluggish, especially off the line.  would I have traded back to the tiny tires with which my truck came to me? no.  definitely would have kept the 30s :D  (but after my dana 35 blew up I went to 3.55s for a bit more kick)

He's not kidding. AX15 with 31's was horrible on stock 3.07 gears. Went to 3.55s w/ a half burnt out motor was sooooooo much better. Can't wait to get these 4.10s in and my rebuilt motor back :D

[1989 comanche mj]

The manual trans 4 liters are terribly geared.  Letting the clutch out with stock tires is like you are strapped to something.  One of mine has the factory turbine wheels like above with 31.s and 410 gears, with explorer rear and its good.  1 3/4 spacer up front with trimming, add a leaf and shackles in the rear.

[CRM1988]

Would this lift kit work on my MJ? Didn't know about the leaf springs being it is for a XJ. 2" Standard Suspension System with Add-a-Leafs and Twin Tube Shocks

 

Catalog #: 16300.804

Rubicon Express Part #: RE6160 KIT

In Cart Price

$259.99

[Jtrux]

While 31's are nice, I don't think I would go anymore than 30's, especially if you are not currently planning on changing anything else out.

 

I have several friends running these tires (various sizes) with lots of success.  Price is good, and they seem to wear well and last a long time.

 

http://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/hankook-dynapro-atm-rf10/p/10858

[Jtrux]

For your lift question, I do not know off hand what the rear leaf spring width is on an MJ vs an XJ, BUT I seem to recall that there is a difference, so the lift you mentioned will not work for you unless you plan on acquiring different add-a-leafs.  The front stuff pucks and shocks would work for you.

 

If you really want to save some money, message me and we can see what shipping would be on some pucks I have in my garage.  You pay shipping and they're yours.  I know what being on a budget is all about, so I don't mind helping a fellow Jeeper out when I can.  With the pucks, you will get the altitude you want up front, and you can add some shocks in the future. You really don't need them right off the bat unless you really are flexing it out offroad.  

 

 

EDIT:  The pucks I have are 1.75"

[gogmorgo]

For the add-a-leaf it's not the width of the spring that is the issue. The MJ rear springs have much more arch than the XJ rear springs, meaning you won't get much lift if any out of an XJ leaf.

You can go with longer rear shackles to get a little bit more lift on the cheap. One of the more popular options seems to be a 2" Chevy drop shackle being good for ~2" lift, but I have no experience there, and wouldn't know what drop shackle you'd be wanting. Just be aware that changing the length of the shackles will change your pinion angle so you might need to do something (spring perch wedges or small tcase drop maybe) to correct for that.