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Insoxicated
Northridge 4x4 is a great place to start for ordering components:
LIFT KIT: $900-1725
Install costs likely $250-750ish depending on what you pick.
Great basic lift: Rubicon Express JK 4 Door, 3.5" Standard Coil Lift Kit - Mono Tube Shocks - RE7142M - $899
Awesome lift: AEV JK 2007-15 DUALSPORT SC SUSPENSION 3.5" 4 DOOR - N0234100AA - $1725
WHEELS: $500-1250
Wheel Options @ Northridge 4x4
Wheel Options @ 4 Wheel Parts
You've got a wide range of options from $100-250ea. I suggest alloy wheels for their lower weight and lower rolling resistance, but if you wanted to go "Cheap" You can get steel wheels if you wanted. TLDR Solution: hat is most important is you need what's called "5 on 5" lug pattern (the bolts that attach the wheels to the axles)... that means 5 lugs on a 5" diameter hub/ring.
Next you need to consider backspacing, which is how far out the wheel sits from the lugs themselves. This matters when you move to larger (35/37" tires) because they are generally wider (12.5" wide) and that, coupled with the larger diameter will make them rub when you turn. That is no bueno. There is a great discussion of this here. Bottom line, you need an additional 1.5" of offset (outward from the body) to accommodate. TLDR Solution: If you want to keep the factory wheels, simply get 1.5" wheel spacers (pucks that move the wheels outward). IF you're buying new wheels, get wheels with 4.5" of backspacing.
TIRES: $1500-1750
There's no big secret here... you're picking between a 35" and 37" diameter tire. With a 3.5" lift you can comfortably fit 37" tires for the type of wheeling you will be doing. Larger tires have more rolling resistance and are harder for the stock gears to turn (think about a mountain bike in the wrong gear, how you have to stand on the pedals to turn the wheels? It's like that.). In either eventI would HIGHLY recommend you get a jeep with 4.10 gears in the axles if you're going to be going with 35"+ tires. This gear ratio is stock with the Rubicon. It appears it may NOT be available with other models based on the website. Less critical but still somewhat important, you may want to get a Dana 44 axle up front (stronger than Dana 30)... again, stock in Rubicon, available in others.
EDIT: upon closer look at the tourque band of the Pentastar engine, and the drive gear ratios using this calculator, the 3.73 gearing wouldn't be a deal breaker. TLDR: Just be sure to get 3.73 or 4.10 gears in your axles.
From that point, any 35 or 37" tire will work for you. We can help you shop around a bit but I would budget around $1750 for 5 good tires.
FRONT BUMPERS: $250-1350
Install costs likely $100-300 depending on what you pick.
Here is where you start to really customize the look of your rig. Do you want a huge battering ram out front? A narrow stubby bumper? Do you want a grille-hoop? Do you want a winch or not? Browse and make the call! We're here to offer feedback.
LINK TO JEEP JK BUMPERS >
SIDE ARMOR / SLIDERS: $200-1000
Install costs likely $100-300 depending on what you pick.
Looking to protect that body against trees.... boulders....or shopping carts? The Rubicon comes with rock sliders, but if you opt for a lesser model, you can get sliders bolted on. As with anything Jeep related there is a massive array of options. They range from basic function/look to "you can bounce this #### off giant boulders with reckless abandon. This isn't critical, but at least some basic protection is likely wise.
LINK TO JEEP JK SLIDER OPTIONS >
FLAT FENDER FLARES: $600-1750
Install costs likely $100-600 depending on what you pick.
Looking for that cool flat-fendered look. I'm your huckleberry. Some cheaper options are durable plastic designed to look cool but not offer much protection. Others are thick tube steel designed to support your vehicle if you roll over, or bounce off trees/rocks. You don't really need the latter, but it's an option so I'm showing it. This add-on is VERY optional as the jeep JK fender flares are pretty nice looking, particularly with the Sahara models. That said, some folks love the flat-fendered look.
LINK TO JEEP FLAT FENDER FLARES >
ONE THING TO CONSIDER: SELL YOUR "USED" PARTS
If you're taking off new factory wheels/tires/bumpers/etc... don't let the shop just keep them. They are worth money. Selling your factory #### to finance your aftermarket #### is a time-honored tradition in jeeping. When I wanted to upgrade to a built Dana 44 Rear axle in my jeep (alloy shafts, diff armor, etc) for $1100, I sold my factory Dana 35 to a buddy who had blown his up for $500. Boom. Half price upgrade. When I wanted TNT steel tube fenders for $700, I sold my factory fenders to a guy who had been in a wreck for $500. Boom. 70% off fenders.
Anything else you're looking at? LIghting? Snorkel so you can drive through 6' of water? Cool looking hoods or racks? Cool open-air "rock doors"?
LIFT KIT: $900-1725
Install costs likely $250-750ish depending on what you pick.
Great basic lift: Rubicon Express JK 4 Door, 3.5" Standard Coil Lift Kit - Mono Tube Shocks - RE7142M - $899
Awesome lift: AEV JK 2007-15 DUALSPORT SC SUSPENSION 3.5" 4 DOOR - N0234100AA - $1725
WHEELS: $500-1250
Wheel Options @ Northridge 4x4
Wheel Options @ 4 Wheel Parts
You've got a wide range of options from $100-250ea. I suggest alloy wheels for their lower weight and lower rolling resistance, but if you wanted to go "Cheap" You can get steel wheels if you wanted. TLDR Solution: hat is most important is you need what's called "5 on 5" lug pattern (the bolts that attach the wheels to the axles)... that means 5 lugs on a 5" diameter hub/ring.
Next you need to consider backspacing, which is how far out the wheel sits from the lugs themselves. This matters when you move to larger (35/37" tires) because they are generally wider (12.5" wide) and that, coupled with the larger diameter will make them rub when you turn. That is no bueno. There is a great discussion of this here. Bottom line, you need an additional 1.5" of offset (outward from the body) to accommodate. TLDR Solution: If you want to keep the factory wheels, simply get 1.5" wheel spacers (pucks that move the wheels outward). IF you're buying new wheels, get wheels with 4.5" of backspacing.
TIRES: $1500-1750
There's no big secret here... you're picking between a 35" and 37" diameter tire. With a 3.5" lift you can comfortably fit 37" tires for the type of wheeling you will be doing. Larger tires have more rolling resistance and are harder for the stock gears to turn (think about a mountain bike in the wrong gear, how you have to stand on the pedals to turn the wheels? It's like that.). In either event
EDIT: upon closer look at the tourque band of the Pentastar engine, and the drive gear ratios using this calculator, the 3.73 gearing wouldn't be a deal breaker. TLDR: Just be sure to get 3.73 or 4.10 gears in your axles.
From that point, any 35 or 37" tire will work for you. We can help you shop around a bit but I would budget around $1750 for 5 good tires.
FRONT BUMPERS: $250-1350
Install costs likely $100-300 depending on what you pick.
Here is where you start to really customize the look of your rig. Do you want a huge battering ram out front? A narrow stubby bumper? Do you want a grille-hoop? Do you want a winch or not? Browse and make the call! We're here to offer feedback.
LINK TO JEEP JK BUMPERS >
SIDE ARMOR / SLIDERS: $200-1000
Install costs likely $100-300 depending on what you pick.
Looking to protect that body against trees.... boulders....or shopping carts? The Rubicon comes with rock sliders, but if you opt for a lesser model, you can get sliders bolted on. As with anything Jeep related there is a massive array of options. They range from basic function/look to "you can bounce this #### off giant boulders with reckless abandon. This isn't critical, but at least some basic protection is likely wise.
LINK TO JEEP JK SLIDER OPTIONS >
FLAT FENDER FLARES: $600-1750
Install costs likely $100-600 depending on what you pick.
Looking for that cool flat-fendered look. I'm your huckleberry. Some cheaper options are durable plastic designed to look cool but not offer much protection. Others are thick tube steel designed to support your vehicle if you roll over, or bounce off trees/rocks. You don't really need the latter, but it's an option so I'm showing it. This add-on is VERY optional as the jeep JK fender flares are pretty nice looking, particularly with the Sahara models. That said, some folks love the flat-fendered look.
LINK TO JEEP FLAT FENDER FLARES >
ONE THING TO CONSIDER: SELL YOUR "USED" PARTS
If you're taking off new factory wheels/tires/bumpers/etc... don't let the shop just keep them. They are worth money. Selling your factory #### to finance your aftermarket #### is a time-honored tradition in jeeping. When I wanted to upgrade to a built Dana 44 Rear axle in my jeep (alloy shafts, diff armor, etc) for $1100, I sold my factory Dana 35 to a buddy who had blown his up for $500. Boom. Half price upgrade. When I wanted TNT steel tube fenders for $700, I sold my factory fenders to a guy who had been in a wreck for $500. Boom. 70% off fenders.
Anything else you're looking at? LIghting? Snorkel so you can drive through 6' of water? Cool looking hoods or racks? Cool open-air "rock doors"?
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