I have a stock 2006 TJ Sport (custom bumper but suspension and body are stock) and I want to put a 2" suspension lift on it. I don't go off-roading too often, I only make it out maybe 6 times a year, and when I do I'm in snow or on dirt trails. I don't do any rock climbing.

Question 1

How do I know what kind of kit I should get for doing my lift? Is this the kind of kit I'd need:

Rough Country 2.5" Suspension Kit

or would I need something like this instead:

Rough Country 2.5" X-series Suspension Kit

Question 2

I currently have 30" Goodyear all-seasonal tires on the Jeep. Given that this Jeep is used both for daily commuting and weekend fun, after the lift, what size tires would I need to get? Aside from the tires, is there anything else I'd need to change to the wheels (e.g. rims)? From my research I think I'd need 31.5" x 15" tires. Is that correct?

Thanks!

 

Hi there,

I asked myself some similar questions a few years ago. I decided to do a combination of body lift and coils spacers to get clearance. If you don't do any hard core offroading why spend the money on a premium lift? Although if you do do decide to invest in a proper suspension lift I think you are on the right track with the Rough Country brand. I use my jeeps in much the same capacity as you. Daily driver and the occasional off road adventure. I am happy so far with spacers. On my 4cyl TJ I have 1.5" in the front and 3/4" in the rear for coil spacers and a 1" body lift. No issues with 31" tires. On my 6cyl LJ I have 2.75" in the front and 2" in the rear for coil spacers plus a 1.25" body lift. No issues with 33" tires although I had to install longer shocks.

As for tires and rims there is is no reason you can't use your stock rims with larger tires. BF Goodrich All Terains are the best I have had yet. They are reasonably quiet on the pavement and good in snow etc. Your best bet would be to go with a 31"x10.50" on your stock rim. You might get some minor rubbing on the extreme turns but you can prevent that by adjusting the steering stop bolts and sacrifice some of your turning radius. The 10.50" tire sits nicely under your stock fender flares on a stock rim as well. Check out my album to see some pics..

 

You can go as simple as coil spacers and shock extensions to give you a bit of lift. I know a few people that are using a 2in coil spacer along with a 1" body lift and running 32 inch tire with only some rubbing at full flex. And if you're not planning on anything too extreme then you shouldn't have full flex like that.

Rims and tires are completely your preference. I'd stick with a 15" rim size at that will allow you to have more rubber between the ground and your rim while off road.

If you want a lot of good ideas of what's possible I'd suggest attending an event such as Trailfest Home there is a beginner course on saturday with some mild trail runs and then you get to go back out on sunday.Trails are mild to wild and have guides to lead you through them. You also get to see the many different things that people have done to their jeeps. They are more then willing to share and tell you what they've done, wished they had done or are planning on doing.

Regards