Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - Any Owners?

#201
#201
So, if I go with the rock crawler bumper above with two sets of LEDs, I assume I can wire one set to the fog lamp line, but I'll have to install a switch and line to the other? Is that a big job? What would I need to accomplish said feat?
 
#202
#202
kiddiedoc said:
So, if I go with the rock crawler bumper above with two sets of LEDs, I assume I can wire one set to the fog lamp line, but I'll have to install a switch and line to the other? Is that a big job? What would I need to accomplish said feat?
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I am not a wiring guy. I actually hate it but when I added the lights to my windshield frame someone had to do it. So I did with the help of a friend who knows what he is doing. He basically just watched and made sure I didn't mess anything up. It's not a hard job but it is timing consuming.

As far as what you might need I would think you will need some wire stripers and maybe some terminal ends depending on which lights you go with and what all comes with the lights.
 
#203
#203
Here's another question: what is the largest tire size that will fit on the Rubicon/Willys wheels without a lift? Anyone have experience installing spacers?
 
#204
#204
kiddiedoc said:
Here's another question: what is the largest tire size that will fit on the Rubicon/Willys wheels without a lift? Anyone have experience installing spacers?
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I'm not sure what the largest tire size that will fit.

I do have experience on the spacers though. That is what I have on my TJ. The spacers are pretty easy to install. On the front you have to disconnect the sway bar link and the shock and then get the spring low enough to install the spacer. The rear is pretty much the same thing. It's much easier if you have a lift and some jack stands. Lucky for me I work at a car dealership so I was able to use the lifts here and the transmission jacks which made things a breeze.

One thing I will say is after I installed the spacers I noticed that on larger bumps in the road the shocks were bottoming out. So I ordered some Skyjacker Hydro shocks for 0-2 inch lift and if fixed that problem. Jeep rides pretty darn well...for a Jeep anyways.
 
#205
#205
kiddiedoc said:
So, if I go with the rock crawler bumper above with two sets of LEDs, I assume I can wire one set to the fog lamp line, but I'll have to install a switch and line to the other? Is that a big job? What would I need to accomplish said feat?
Click to expand...

might as well, jump in and do a 2-3 inch lift when you do the front bumper/winch, and the tires
 
#207
#207
kiddiedoc said:
Here's another question: what is the largest tire size that will fit on the Rubicon/Willys wheels without a lift? Anyone have experience installing spacers?
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I should know this because I went through it. Ended up passing on the spacers due to some safety concerns. Probably overstated but even those who recommended them talked of "regular maintenance" on them.

There's a size that will just fit but might cause some rubbing on the front sway bars at full lock. IIRC it was 285/70/17. I'll check in the morning what I went with - they are just a hair (not noticeable) shorter than the stock (mine stock were the 255/75/17s I think) but noticeably wider with no rub - maybe 265/70/17)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Road+Venture+MT+KL71&partnum=275QR6KL71V2&GCID=C13674x012-tire&KEYWORD=tires.jsp_Kumho_Road_Venture_MT_KL71_Tire&code=yes&src=17540115&ci_sku=275QR6KL71V2&ci_sku=275QR6KL71V2&ci_src=17588969&ef_id=VKa@eAAAAWhb0CDi:20150625041103:s

If you Google biggest tires on stock Jeep JK there are tons of threads and they'll answer the question.

I remember that popular choices were a Goodyear product (not the Wrangler) and something Trail Grappler.

Be prepared to see your gas mileage drop.
 
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#208
#208
Just found some of my old notes - looks like 285/70/17 is the max size with no lift and it's hit or miss without spacers. Some brands might not rub, the Trail Grapplers do but reports are the rub is at full lock up front (steering wheel lock that is).

265/70/17s will fit all day long but some brands might be up to a 1/2 inch or so less in diameter (but will be wider). The specific brand I got was about .2 inch shorter in diameter so it doesn't show.

The popular Goodyears are Duratracs and reports are the 285s have a slight rub too at full lock.

I believe the BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A comes in an odd size that is bigger than the 265 but not as wide as the 285 but that was one of the full.

Just remembered the Terra Grappler is made by Nitto, they also have a Trail Grappler which is a mud tire like my Kumhos. Look great but will hit you at the pump
 
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#209
#209
Last tire post for the night. The issue with going bigger/wider is the standard Jeep offset on the wheel. Not sure if the Rubi wheels have the same as mine but I think you start with the same size tire so I bet they do.

The way around spacers is new wheels with a different offset - that and lifts are very common. If you want to keep the wheels and not lift you can't go much bigger.

Width is the problem more than height but I think anything over 33" is too tall. So even if you lift you are limited unless you change wheels to (Just Empty Every Pocket).

Finally, I just remembered you already have an aggressive tire on yours so you shouldn't see much difference in MPG except that you'll have more weight.
 
#210
#210
oops, one more. When I was in my "should I buy new wheels" mode I was lusting after these - AEV Pintlers in argent

I found it was common too to go with a smaller diameter wheel. Tires in 16 were cheaper and you get more cushion for rock crawling I guess

aev-pintler-argent-wrangler-jk_3.jpg
 
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#211
#211
Thanks man. I'm still probably 10k from needing new ones but these mud terrains are $$$ and I wouldn't mind going a little larger. They are 255/75/17 I believe
 
#212
#212
kiddiedoc said:
Thanks man. I'm still probably 10k from needing new ones but these mud terrains are $$$ and I wouldn't mind going a little larger. They are 255/75/17 I believe
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Completely missed the fact you were talking about wheel spacers and not coil spring spacers.

My post was concerning coil spring spacers and not wheel. Sorry Doc.
 
#213
#213
kiddiedoc said:
Thanks man. I'm still probably 10k from needing new ones but these mud terrains are $$$ and I wouldn't mind going a little larger. They are 255/75/17 I believe
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That's what I thought on size - can't really go much bigger with the stock wheel unless it has less offset than I think it does.

Nitto Terra Grapplers are less aggressive than the muds you have on there and cheaper too (but still all terrain). IIRC you can go 285/70/17 and have a slightly taller, definitely wider tire that will fit but rub the sway bar when you turn the steering wheel all the way to one side or the other.
 
#216
#216
kiddiedoc said:
No worries. Wheel spacers are fine, right?
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Too many horror stories for my personal tastes. I am sure there are people out there that use them and have no problems with them.

I have heard people have problems with vibrations with them.

I think like VIB said if you check them on a regular basis you should be ok.
 
#218
#218
the.one.the.only said:
Anyone have any experience using a flash cal to offset the MPg difference once you go bigger on the tires?
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I have never used a programmer before but the best way to regain your fuel mileage is to re-gear the Jeep. The programmer might help you gain some of your mileage back but I couldn't imagine it helping a ton. I could be wrong.

My '97 has 33x12.50 BFG Muds with a 4 liter and manual trans and the last two tanks of fuel got 16 miles to the gallon. It's not great but it could be much worse
 
#219
#219
Orangesmokey said:
I have never used a programmer before but the best way to regain your fuel mileage is to re-gear the Jeep. The programmer might help you gain some of your mileage back but I couldn't imagine it helping a ton. I could be wrong.

My '97 has 33x12.50 BFG Muds with a 4 liter and manual trans and the last two tanks of fuel got 16 miles to the gallon. It's not great but it could be much worse
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Of course it is but let's be real, $150<<<<$1200 it would cost to regear. I'm more curious as to an actual opinion of if the flashcal is worth the 150-250 it costs, and what type of difference I could expect. If my only options are regear or nothing, right now it's gonna be nothing, as much as I would like to regear
 
#220
#220
the.one.the.only said:
Of course it is but let's be real, $150<<<<$1200 it would cost to regear. I'm more curious as to an actual opinion of if the flashcal is worth the 150-250 it costs, and what type of difference I could expect. If my only options are regear or nothing, right now it's gonna be nothing, as much as I would like to regear
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Trust me I understand. If I could afford to regear I would have done it a long time ago.

I can't really help you with the programmer because I haven't ever used one. I have thought about getting one. If you get one let us know how it works out.
 
#221
#221
What's the thought on buying a pre-modded Wrangler? I mean, I can obtain the list of parts used to judge the quality via some research, but the quality of work...

This is obviously a problem with any modified vehicle, not just Jeeps. A Wrangler just happens to be what I'm interested in.
 
#222
#222
Aavoxx said:
What's the thought on buying a pre-modded Wrangler? I mean, I can obtain the list of parts used to judge the quality via some research, but the quality of work...

This is obviously a problem with any modified vehicle, not just Jeeps. A Wrangler just happens to be what I'm interested in.
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My personal thought would be I would want to know who did the work and what kind of parts were used. I would also want to look under the hood and underneath the Jeep to see what it looked like. If under the hood looks like there has been a lot of mud and water you might want to be weary. If the underneath looks like its been hit with rocks or has slide over rocks a lot that would be another red flag.

Basically you just want to make sure that you are getting something that hasn't been beat and banged on. Sometimes you will find someone he has been tough on one but at the same time has taken care of it.

I personally would be ok with buying a pre-modded Jeep depending on what it looked like. Do you have any details on a specific one you are looking at or is this just a "in general" type of question?
 
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