Where To Start?

[Doose-doe]

I am tryin to buy my first JEEP! I am really excited. Its a 99 sport w/ I6 and a 5sp. I live in illinois and play in a lot of mud w/ 4-wheelers and dirtbikes. New to the Jeep seen I dont know where to start. I know I want 35's but dont know if i should upgrade my axles before I put a 6 inch lift on. Any other suggestions on what to do and what to get? any suggestions are much appreciated. thanks!

 

[HaleYes]

Welcome.
Let's back up a little bit. First of all I hope that where you "play in the mud" is totally 100% legal. If it's not, that is very much a no-no.:nono:

I think it's beneficial to slowly let your Jeep grow. I did it this way and am very glad I did. You learn to be a better driver and learn to know your heep. If you are just wanting big tires and to go ballz to the wall, this really isn't the place for you IMHO.
You need to know what axles you have before you decide wheather or not you need to up grade. You'll have a D30 up front and either a CryCo. 8.25 or a D35 in the rear. Search around and you'll find a ton of threads on how to identify them. There is alot of great information here on . All it takes is a little time to search it all out, it's already there, you just have to find it. Look for a bit and if you don't find it, ask. Don't expect to find exactly what you're looking for with the first thread that pops up. It does take a little digging sometimes.

Why do you think you need 35's? You're looking at ALOT of other mods that will be required to run 35's, with that comes a pretty hefty price tag. Does your budget allow for what is necessary to run 35's?

Not trying to discourage you, just giving you the facts.

Where in IL are you?

The MWC's largest event is coming up soon. Winterfest will be held in Attica, Indiana at Badlands Offroad Park. It'd be great if you could make it and meet some of the MWC guys and gals. It's always great to have new folks. Look in the Winterfest forum for more details.

Hale

 

[Prepmech]

X2 on where are you located.

There are quite a few members in IL, there is a good chance there is someone close to you that could help with your build.

Check out the modified tech forum as there is a ton of info on there.

I'm running 35s on my rig and don't recommend it if you are new to the jeep scene, most in the midwest are running 31s or 33s. It is a ton of work to fit 35s correctly. You should be able to keep up with the quads on 31s pretty easily, as that is all that they are running.

There are quite a few places to wheel around the midwest, and we'll all be at the Badlands for winterfest at the end of February. That would be a great chance for you to see some of our rigs.

 

[BRIANHO13]

I thiink you should pick a tire that you want to run for a very long time and build around it. Building and rebuilding costs a lot more in the long run.

 

[Doose-doe]

Thanks guys. I live in Zion, IL, near the Wisconsin border. Thanks for the info I was considering 32's or 33's to start and eventually upgrade. And I go mudding at my work where we have 7 acres. I'm pretty careful on where I play with my toys. I will definately try and make it to winterfest. It sounds like a blast!

 

[IllianaXJ]

I thiink you should pick a tire that you want to run for a very long time and build around it. Building and rebuilding costs a lot more in the long run.

Yep. I could have gone to 35s this time around when I ordered tires, but I stuck with a 33 because that is what my lift and fender trim is set up for. I started comparing costs and time involved with 35s and decided to stick with what I knew worked.

 

[Doose-doe]

Any tips for lift kits? I read add a leafs suck. So what should i look at and where can I find them? I think ima settle with a 4" and 32's or 33's so I can hopefully join in on winterfest!

 

[HaleYes]

All you need for WF is the minimum requirements. You can find those in the WF forum. Nothing wrong with wheeling a stock rig. It's been done lots of times and you'll have just as much fun.

I would stay away from AAL's. I went that route and it did suck. I'd buy full packs if I had to do it again. Lots of choices out there for a lift. RE is always a good choice. I'd call Dirk at DPG Offroad and have him give you a quote for what you need. www.dpgoffroad.com.

Hale