I am looking at options right now but this is what I want my jeep to look like in the next few years Rattle Trap. Well maybe not quite that extreme but close.
I plan on a six inch lift and at least 37's as of right now with either a diesel or Hemi conversion kit. I would love to do the JK-8 conversion but as I convinced my wife the jeep would be a second family car this seems like a better option though I won't be extending my length like they did for the rattletrap.
With tires that big and that large of a lift on it would it still be possible to pull it 4 down? Or would you need to trailer it due to the height it would be compared to the relative hieght of the receiver?
Garrett
2004 Fleetwood Expedition 38N
Full Timer
Toad(still to be setup) 2011 Jeep Rubicon
2nd (to be put on double trailer with 1st when moving) 2008 Honda S2000
I had a Wrangler with a 4" lift, 33's. No issues with towing.
You must have a really tolerant wife. You sold her on the idea of a 2nd car? WOW. That must have taken some doing.
The worst part of the conversion was the gas mileage. 10-12 MPG. Due to the larger tires, lower gear ratios. Further, I didn't but I should have upgraded the brakes. With the increased tire size, that put a huge strain on the brake systems.
It is a never ending chain of upgrades when you lift and change the running gear geometry.
TGarrett,
Well Sir, based on some of the pics in your post, I'd say you at least know something about Jeeps. They are a very versital auto. You can use them for multiple purposes. And, when done right, off roading is quite fun and, pretty reliable. I've built SEVEN jeeps. Three CJs, two YJs, and two TJs. I've never even messed with a JK. I've done every kind of lift, mud terrains, all terrains, 31s, 33s, and 35s, built-in engine driven air compressors, custom high clearance bumpers/nerf bars and much, much more. It was fun and we conquered each and every rut, hill, trail, rock, in half the western U.S. We hit Moab UT for the Easter Jeep Safari for 14 years in a row. Colorado's trails too.
But, to use something anywhere near what you're looking at in that link as a second car, well, all I can say is I hope you're fairly wealthy. Gas alone for that monster or, even close as you say you're planning on, is quite a weekly cost. And these oil companies play with the prices by the minute. It's a tad low (in price) right now but, tomorrow morning one of the oil execs might need a new Rolls so, the price will jump and NO ON ON THIS PLANET can do anything about it.
But, all that being said, if you're wife likes rough rides, hard to get into and out of EACH AND EVERY time she needs to, noisy, rough handling, and more, than she's a trooper for sure.
As for towing something like that or close to it, sure you can. The height difference, depending on the link points of the tow bar, can be adjusted to accommodate a somewhat level tow bar situation along with a possible adjustment on the coaches side in hitch setup. Setting up a "riser" for the hitch on the coach is easy. Of course the more "gnarly" the jeep is setup, as in 37" mud terrains, and Dana 60 front and rear diffs, etc, the more drag it is when towing it down the street/roadway. If one is willing to accept all the bad with the good of fun off roading, than have a ball and enjoy.
Scott
Scott and Karla SDFD RETIRED
2004 Itasca Horizon, 36GD Slate Blue 330 CAT
2011 White Honda CRV EX-L,4WD w/NAV Toad 2008 Caliente Red LVL II GL 1800 Goldwing KI60ND
You need to check with various tow bars to find what their recommended height difference is between the receiver and the toad base plate. Level is ideal but mine suggests a tolerance no greater than 6", so you will definitely need a riser for the tow bar, maybe a custom base plate. See this article for more information.
Have you actually sat down and calculated the cost of all of the changes?
37 inch tires will run over $400 per tire. Wheels to match will be about $250 per wheel.
With tires that large, unless you plan it to be just a mall crawler, you will need to upgrade the axles. The stock axles will not be strong enough with that size of a tire. That would be a minimum of $2,000 to $3,000 or more per axle. And larger brakes.
Have you priced the cost of the lift kit? Plus the labor cost for installation. Front and rear custom drive shafts. With that lift and the 37 inch tires you will need a upgraded steering box.
With the Jeep sitting that high will your wife enjoy driving it with it much harder to get into and out of it. And as mentioned probably 10/12 mpg.
The Hemi conversion may run $20,000 with parts and labor.
As for it being a second vehicle my S2000 wasn't family friendly. The jeep however is car seat friendly. I actually had it laid on its side before I made the first payment, luckily it didn't even dent or scratch it(mud is forgiving lol)
As for the upgrades On the jeep, I know enough about the mechanics of it all I am a mech/nuke engineer. I am not familiar with towing the jeep and was just concerned about the angular stresses. Thanks for the link and tips though I'll take a look at it and take it into consideration.
*fixed spelling
* This post was
edited 07/27/12 11:09am by TGarrett *
Yes you can tow it 4 down with this receiver. This should get you close enough to level (not a beleiver it has to be perfectly level) BUT I'd want a 10K hitch rating as this will multiply the force put on the MH's hitch. Since you are buying the tires, who cares about the cost.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
My "Extreme" Rubicon (that's what it says on the hood) has a 2 1/2 inch suspension lift, 1 1/4 inch body lift, 1 inch engine mount lift, tummy tuck, custom bumpers, winch, and 30 gallon gas tank (that will only fit the Unlimited model), and 33 inch tires. I tow it with an inexpensive fixed-arm adjustable width A-frame towbar, which, surprisingly, if just about level when connected to the Class A. A pleasant surprise, to say the least!
I find that the relatively minor modifications that have been done are perfectly adequate for nearly all the Jeep trails near Moab, Utah.
That's plenty good enough for me.
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
Not sure of your age or how much this jeep will be driven on the road vs offroad and will you be doing some extreme stuff but I would consider a different path. Since money is not the issue I suggest you do a mild lift with 33/35's. This will be easy to do, be a great street driver and still do good on the trail. Not to mention getting in an out. Then I would purchase a second used jeep and go to town on it, you could probably find something used on the internet with a Hemi or SB in it already.
When your doing some extreme stuff and have tires that large you are just better off trailering it. With a trailer there are no worries getting home. Mess up your flat towed jeep and you will have issues if you are on a time strain. Tire wear is going to cost you big time as your tires will constantly be out of alignment, lost balancing weights, etc... You can flat tow almost anything, but there is a point were it just does not make any sense, you will have to figure that out for yourself.
I got a TJ on 37's with 1 tons axels, YJ on 40's with 1 ton axels, a Cherokee and a TJ on 33's. The TJ on 33's recently took a cut in heigh, it had 35's and I took some off the lift. Drives much better now on the hwy and I still can take it on some pretty tough trails and flat tow it home. When I want to go crazy on the trail I hook up the trailer and my YJ on 40's. September I will be taking my TJ with 33's to Moab and then over to the Rubicon trail. I plan on flat towing it the whole trip. I will have to tame down my trip a few notches but still will have fun offroad.
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