New JK, need recommendations

[LemonSqueezer]

I just bought a used 2008 JK to replace my Xj. This thing is modded slightly but I’m having a hard time figuring out what’s been done to it and what brand parts are on it. It Steering is off indicating it’s been lifted, but it has 35s on it and there’s only a 2.5 lift kit. I feel like I bit off a lot with this one and I’m gonna have to strip her down and start over.

any recommendations for a lift? I’m thinking 4.5 to accommodate the tires but maybe a 6 would be better? I do actually go off roading every weekend and it’s not my daily driver. Last weekend it got stuck on a rock and scraped the armor that it should’ve easily gone over with those tires, but the lift isn’t cutting it. I also need recommendations to fix the steering.

(sorry for the rant, my boyfriend doesn’t know shit about jeeps and this is my only place I can talk about it lol)

 

[Boosthead]

Are you going to stick with stock fenders or do you have plans to install flats? Are you experiencing rubbing due to not enough lift? I have a 2" lift that gave me 4"f/3"r and that's more than enough for my 35's. In fact, I've been considering lowering the front my JK. I have no experience with other lifts and 35's, but my impression is that the consensus is that a 2.5" lift is plenty for 35's.

 

[LemonSqueezer]

I will be putting flats on it.

yes, my back left tire rubbed up against it over the weekend which is why I’m considering a larger lift. Have you had any problems rock crawling with the 2.5?

 

[Boosthead]

Rocks aren't common where I am, and I haven't disconnected my rear sway bar. But we do have terrain like this. I may not be putting my JK through as severe conditions as you are.

 

[LemonSqueezer]

I haven’t taken mine in a river yet lol. We have a little bit of everything, I’d say I’ve been testing it on moderate conditions thus far? The rocks it had trouble with we’re about 3 feet, which wasn’t ridiculous I don’t think

 

[Chris]

For 35s I would put a 4.5" lift on it. You could do 6" of lift, but it might look silly.

There's tons of options for armor and skid plates as well, which I would highly recommend if you're going to off-road it.

 

[LemonSqueezer]

I have underbody armor on it, I might replace it though and just start over. And brand recommendations?

 

[Boosthead]

For 35s I would put a 4.5" lift on it. You could do 6" of lift, but it might look silly.

There's tons of options for armor and skid plates as well, which I would highly recommend if you're going to off-road it.

My lift gave me 4"f/3"r. Installing an ARB bumper up front only dropped that my 1/8". I still have a heavy rear bumper to install so we'll see how much the rear drops. I have removed the spare for street use as I only travel a few miles from my house unless I'm hitting the trails. My issue is that while I was initially thrilled with the extra lift knowing I was upsizing from 33's to 35's, I forgot that I have flat fenders in the basement waiting to be installed which will add some wheel gap. Add to that my fear that the rear will sit low after the rear bumper install, and I have been eyeing replacement springs with an actual lift 3" or slightly less. The JK performs great, so this is just about looks. Maybe I should stop looking at it from the outside and spend more time behind the wheel.