4x4 setup for NC terrain

Bucket Puppy

New Member
Joined
May 28, 2007
Location
Smithfield, NC
Good day.
I have a '93 Jeep Cherokee and want to spend my money wisely, not waste money on building an "over-achiever".
This will not be a daily driver, but I would like it to be street legal to drive to the trails and on the streets if I need to.
For, what we will call, "Phase I", I would like to retain the stock axels but locking and re-gearing are do-able (Chry 8.25 in the rear), but I would like to build the Jeep for NC terrain. As I see it, that includes sand, thick freakin' mud, and some mild rock (is this a correct assumption for NC?).
That being said, what lift height and tire size would be optimal for the majority of NC trerrain (I would think there is no need for 8" and 37" tires for NC)?.
I already understand the importance of armor and recovery, so that, we'll say is a given.
Reader's Digest: The question every newbie asks (lift/tire) but area specific with regards to NC terrain.
 
Around here, 4 - 6 Inch lift and 33" - 35" tires do well.
 
Personally for me....4.56 gears, lockers,just enough lift to clear tires 35 Maxxis Creepy Crawlers, & winch. Strong axles good, HP good
My dana 30 is small but so far so good. HP is only so much you can do. All this works very well so far...I am pleased
 
Spacers is cheaper
 
andrewlail76 said:
Since he is asking...if 31" tires rub the front fenders...what is the cheapest fix? Spacers or a lift?
Click to expand...
Throttle. Nothing like some good ole auto-clearancing.
 
Low and stable will get you most places you want to go.

Lockers front and rear, a small lift and 33s-35s. Trim whatever hits, and wheel.
 
33's to 35's..

just like dude man said
 
OK...light to no offroading...
Mainly pulling a boat...
Eventually some offroading maybe...but to get me by right now...just pulling a boat...
 
OK...makes me feel better...now I just gotta find a reasonably priced trailer hitch...'Merrican Muffler wants $190 and that doesn't include the wiring harness...
 
that's me...
and I always get punished for whatever I do...
I like 90jeepman's XJ...I'm ready to trade...I see pics and I back out because it is more than I want to do to get it prepared to pull my boat

I get an email today...same day...someone wanting to trade a 96Grand Cherokee Limited for my truck...get home from supper...message that the owner didn't notice that my truck was not automatic...no deal.

can't win for losing
 
ok... a few deep breaths...
I'm still stressed...but a bit better

I need to check out 90jeepman's XJ if he will let me...and go from there
I know I shouldn't decide from pictures and emails...
 
FWIW Andrew, if you'e looking to buy thsi vehicle just for towing that boat around, and no offroad, then ptting big tires on it is not a good idea unless you also want to shell out the $$ to regear. The big tires will f!@# up thr gearing ratio and bog the motor, that's the LAST thing you want to do on a towing vehicle.
 
OK
Thanks for the tip...It has new 31" tires on it...so I may try to swap them for stock ones at a local tire shop.

Not a major concern right now...or I may look for some stock wheels and tires a bit later and hold on to the 31s...unless someone wants to swap stock for these wheels and tires...

either way, I have to meet up with 90jeepman and see if he wants my truck...it could wind up with me coming back home in my truck Saturday and this was all for naught...
 
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