Wheel Well Measurements (tire diameter)

Hey , I try to refrain from posting threads like this because I know that 3/4 of the time I am told to search, blah blah yer not a paying member etc etc.

That being said, the obvious answer to my question is to TRIM, but I don't want to do that just yet....I've searched through hundreds of threads on budget boosts, from easiest installation, what are the best "kits" or ways about achieving a 2"-2.5" lift etc.

From my searching, the best kit for my application is to piece it together
Currently, I have:

-Rear BPE's - my shocks are toast, going to break bolts getting them out, might as well take the pain away for next time
-1/2ton Chev leafs (bastard pack) from a 70's truck - my leafs are shot a shackle will only kill them more
-4 15x8 Cragar Soft b's with 4"BS

Not sure if I want to run a full coil or just run a spacer, if I add a bumper in the future I can always add a spacer to compensate for the added weight of a bumper (I do not like the idea of stacked spacers), thinking about Rusty's 2" coils

I am going to run a 31x10.5 MT with 4" BS on this lift, that is the goal anyway for my 96 4dr w/ NP242

Now that you know my specs, onto my question:

Up front there is NO doubt in my mind that the 31's will be fine up front on the road with a 2" lift, I will not have any issues with turning and hitting my LCA's because of my new properly backspaced rims. Measured 1" all around my current 235/75 (29") to make sure that everything will clear. I will need to bump stop accordingly. Currently I have around 2.5" of clearance around the diameter of the tire.

However, looking at the rear, this is a completely different story. Measurements of the wheel well are very different compared to the front. If I measure the section of tire that is closest to the front of the truck I have around 3" of clearance, when I measure the section that is closest to the back I have about 1" of clearance with my 235/75's

That being said, if I tried to put 31's on right now, I would eat my lower rear quarter panel for breakfast.

If I lift my jeep, is it going to reposition my axle slightly closer to the front of the truck? This seems like a logical assumption but I want some second opinions, or is it the opposite effect?

Like I said, I know 1 answer already and that is either to trim or do a rear 1/4 panel cut & tuck but I want to avoid that at the moment because I have only put 2 scratches on her, maybe when I dent it, I'll think about it :wave:

What else can be done though?

i was unaware that rusty's had a 2" coil

maybe you could use some ZJ v8 coils and spacers.. that'll cheaply net you around 2.5"

oh and do a search you non-payER!!

lol :lecture:

I know about ZJ coils, but the amount of lift is always different, some people say 2" some say 1" some say none, thats why I ain't bothering with them plus the fact that they are going to cost me $100 (plus I have to pull them), spacers will be atleast another $60. For under $200CAD I could have brand new coils from Rusty

However, that is not my question hehe, wtf do I do with the rear 1/4 panel besides cutting it! :spin1:

J-Roc said:

I know about ZJ coils, but the amount of lift is always different, some people say 2" some say 1" some say none, thats why I ain't bothering with them plus the fact that they are going to cost me $100 (plus I have to pull them), spacers will be atleast another $60. For under $200CAD I could have brand new coils from Rusty

However, that is not my question hehe, wtf do I do with the rear 1/4 panel besides cutting it! :spin1:

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oh.. i aint readin all dat!

besides cut the rear 1/4 panel i guess you can talk sweet to it, rub it, pant a peace sign on it, basically whatever you want to do with it..

yeah the more you lift it the front leaf spring eye will act as the hinge point and the axle will move Sligtly forward.. enough to clear 31s maybe..
remember 31" is the tire diameter (its actually probly only 30.5)
235s measure roughly 29" (maybe 28.5") not alot of difference..
but only half the difference (the RADIUS) is applicable to the space on 1 side of the tire.. so roughly you only need an INCH

I used the main leaf from a second set of XJ leaf springs and was able to fit 31's with no rubbing in the back. I netted about a 2 1/4 inch lift. I had more sag on the passenger's side than the driver's and actually used the main leaf and another smaller leaf for about 2 1/2 inches on the passenger's side.

I tried the ZJ coils on the front and netted less than 1/2 inch from them. I ended up spending $199 on JCR adjustables (ACOS). More than I wanted to spend initially, but they have turned out to be one of the best investments I have made on the Jeep.

J-Roc said:

I know about ZJ coils, but the amount of lift is always different, some people say 2" some say 1" some say none, thats why I ain't bothering with them plus the fact that they are going to cost me $100 (plus I have to pull them), spacers will be atleast another $60. For under $200CAD I could have brand new coils from Rusty

However, that is not my question hehe, wtf do I do with the rear 1/4 panel besides cutting it! :spin1:

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The reason peoples measurments varry is because of how each jeep has settled. If you have a almost mint 2001, your coils will only have sagged 1/4'' or whatever it may be. But if you have a abused 1987, the coils might have sagged almost an inch. These numbers are just made up, I really have no clue what they would actually sage.

As for the quarter panels, I would cut and fold. There is a write up here somewhere on how to do it. I followed it and it worked very well.

Also, arnt 1/2 ton truck leaves 3'' wide? You might try a s10 bastard pack instead.

Starboard M said:

Also, arnt 1/2 ton truck leaves 3'' wide? You might try a s10 bastard pack instead.

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not all of them.. fords are 3" wide
chevy 1/2 tons are 2.5" ~ 2.75"

any 2.5" SUA leaves with a positive arch would make a good bastid pack~
-but bewARE the lift might mean STIFFNESS (viagra springs)

- v8 ZJ coils that ppl haven't gotten around 2" of lift from may not been V8 zj coils they may have been zj 6cyl coils in disguise..
some ppl lie to sell their junk- beware

JLane99XJ said:

not all of them.. fords are 3" wide
chevy 1/2 tons are 2.5" ~ 2.75"

any 2.5" SUA leaves with a positive arch would make a good bastid pack~
-but bewARE the lift might mean STIFFNESS (viagra springs)

- v8 ZJ coils that ppl haven't gotten around 2" of lift from may not been V8 zj coils they may have been zj 6cyl coils in disguise..
some ppl lie to sell their junk- beware

Click to expand...

Nope, these chev leafs are the right width, they are relatively flat.... but I do not want an arched spring pack, I have been doing my reading on here as well, tons about spring info and thats why I went with the 1/2ton leafs. There is a guy on here running them, I don't remember his screen name but the thing flexes amazing. These springs that I have are nicely broken in and when I go to install them (probably 2 out of each pack) I hope they flex as well as my research shows :compwork: