I know that this has been posted so many times you guys are probably sick of it. But here it goes. Ive been trying to find out what all would need to be done on my 2015 JKU sport to run 35s. Ive read on the forums people are talking about regearing, bracing the axles etc. Truth is i am now more confused than I was when i started. Please help. My sport does not have the tow package if that helps.
I'll try to break it down in one post to make it a little easier to decide.
Lifts:
Technically - you can run 35's on no lift and possibly some wheel spacers. Ideally - you will want a ~2" lift to help keep the tires out of the fenders, and allow some proper travel.
This can be achieved through a budget boost, leveling kit, or a full lift kit. The most cost effective is obviously the budget boost/leveling kit.
These are quite nice because they retain a lot of the factory components, and you don't need to worry about correcting steering geometry that you would with a 3+ lift.
EVO makes a nice leveling kit that suits 35's quite well - as does I believe Rancho.
Axles:
There's going to be a lot of debate in this department, so I'll give you my
opinion.
If you are going to keep your factory front axle in the Jeep for quite some time - or permanently - C Gussets are worthwhile investment.
Sleeves/etc are not. I would be running a set of gussets on a 33 inch tire - and above. But I also drive 60+ mph on washboard roads because I can.
If you do end up bending a C - they are not repairable, and will cause some excessive camber wear on your tires that you just paid good money for.
With that said, I would look at doing this sooner than later. The cost is really not that much. I originally hired a welder from Craigslist before I bought a welder, total investment $180.
That's a hell of a lot cheaper than replacing tires.
Balljoints:
Are the factory balljoints sub-par to Dynatracs? Of course - but do they work for most people for their first set? Yep.
I've never been one to upgrade parts that aren't worn, so personally I wouldn't swap them out until yours start showing signs of wear.
When they do - then consider upgrading to something better, but this isn't required right away.
Gears:
Another highly debatable topic, once again my opinion.
A lot of people that say 3:21's and 35's or 3:73's and 35's aren't an issue probably haven't driven a re-geared Jeep.
(Not directing this at anyone in the thread).
I started my build with a 13 Sahara. I drove 3:21's and 35's for 40,000km. In that time, I overheated the transmission ~3 times.
It is a great benefit to re-gear. I now run 5:13's (swapped axles) and 37's, and I haven't had any overheating issues - and I can actually hold fifth gear.
However - I would run a build list check on your Jeep to verify which gear ratio you actually have. Some Jeeps (non-rubicon) came with 4:10's, some came with 3:73.
Being Auto/Manual will make a large difference as well, an auto Jeep will feel more sluggish than a Manual if both things are equal.
This isn't a necessity right away to run 35's, anything larger and I would say yes. The overheating was primarily from the fact I live in BC Canada (mountains EVERYWHERE).
Ultimately I would decide what tire size you want to run in the future, if 35 is the largest then I don't see much issue in keeping the Dana 30 and re-gearing it.
If you want to run 37's in the future, then I would hold off on the re-gear until you upgrade to something better.
I hope this helps.
