Comments and Advice

[JeepTitan]

After using this forum for several months to find much needed information, I have decided to register and post. Searching on the threads has given me ample information to fix my issues and narrow down some thoughts on mods.

I have a stock 2004 sport that I bought with 120k miles. I'm not sure of any of the maintenance done on this vehicle and treated it as though nothing had been done. I have changed all of the fluids, plugs, filters, etc. This will the wife's driver. It is also going to be used as our travel vehicle. We do plan some moderate off roading once the mods are complete.

I have decided to go with a Frankenlift and feel this is probably the best option for the libby. I'm going to go ahead and throw the JBA A-arms with the lift.

After much research I think I have narrowed down a tire/wheel combo, but I would like comments or advice based on the use of the vehicle. I'm thinking of going with the Cragar soft 8's 15x7 with 4 in of backspacing. I would then throw on some 31x10.5x15 Goodyear Duratracs. I don't know enough to know how this combo will fit with the lift, how it will ride, gas mileage, etc. That is where I would like some input. Also, these are the only initial mods planned (boulder bars, skids, bumper, winch, lights planned later) but please let me know if something else is needed if I get this lift/tire combo.

Thanks

 

[tjkj2002]

Better be thinking of regearing the diffs to 4.10's,then while there in there might want to think about lockers/LSD's to save on labor.

Regearing will greatly help with around town driving and highway trips after those 31's and armor.

 

[J-Thompson]

I think you will be in good shape as far as gearing
provided you keep it light ,no real armor
I ran on 245/75's with no regear and got 18mph +/-
which brings us to my favorite question
Why new rims? Are the old ones no longer working?
Figure 5 rims will easily set you back $200 that you don't even
need to have that is $200 towards some thing else

 

[JeepTitan]

Better be thinking of regearing the diffs to 4.10's,then while there in there might want to think about lockers/LSD's to save on labor.

Regearing will greatly help with around town driving and highway trips after those 31's and armor.

I will eventually add the 4.10s, but I wanted to wait on this until I was ready to do the air lockers as well. Can't take the savings too far down all at once.

I think you will be in good shape as far as gearing
provided you keep it light ,no real armor
I ran on 245/75's with no regear and got 18mph +/-
which brings us to my favorite question
Why new rims? Are the old ones no longer working?
Figure 5 rims will easily set you back $200 that you don't even
need to have that is $200 towards some thing else

I wanted 15's instead of the 16's that are on. Plus the rims that are on there are in horrible shape. I think the previous owner liked to ride the curb. Besides, you can't beat some nice new black rims for $200.

 

[Jo6pak]

Isn't there an issue with 15" rims not clearing the brake rotors on a KJ?

 

[JeepTitan]

Isn't there an issue with 15" rims not clearing the brake rotors on a KJ?

From what I have read, there is a clearance issue with with the calipers on most 15's but the Cragars do not have this issue. I'm thinking that these wheels with the 31's should work and do so with little to no rubbing. However, this is what I have read and I definitely need to know if I should change my thinking.

 

[tommudd]

Thinking something should work
just because you want it to work
gets a lot of people into trouble

With the Franky you'll have room with some minor trimming more than likely
depends on if the stats posted are what you go with. I'd save my money and just paint the stock wheels if you don't like them
Power, you'll lose some for sure, and mileage also if going steel wheels, larger tires depending on ply rating etc
until you regear

 

[JeepTitan]

Thinking something should work
just because you want it to work
gets a lot of people into trouble

With the Franky you'll have room with some minor trimming more than likely
depends on if the stats posted are what you go with. I'd save my money and just paint the stock wheels if you don't like them
Power, you'll lose some for sure, and mileage also if going steel wheels, larger tires depending on ply rating etc
until you regear

Thinking it will work because I want it to is what I am not doing. I have done the research to think this setup will work but I still wanted to post to confirm or know if there was something I have missed. Are you saying that this setup will not work or were you just throwing out those words of wisdom? Unfortunately I am hoping to rely on a community that has much more experience with the liberty than myself.

The regear will definitely be in the future and I thank tjkj for pointing that out as that was something I missed. Information like this was exactly what I was hoping to accomplish with this post.

 

[tommudd]

No just messing with ya,:whip:
They should work, where the problem may come in is the little bit of extra width.
We've installed a lot of lifts with 245-75-16s which are at about the same overall height
But section width and tread width are wider on the 31-10.50s by about an inch ( over a 245-75-16), no its not a lot but still something to look at when you install them.
More than likely will have to knock the pinch weld over which is easy ( depending on the brand and type tire you are going to use