Bonehead Newp tire question

[Tanngrisnir3]

Just purchased a perfect 2006 Liberty Limited two weeks ago, and just took it for some relatively rough country driving around the north shore of Lake Powell in AZ.

I could manage most of the roads, but the one I wanted the most, the one leading out to Alstrom Point, had two areas that with more lift (and possibly some skid plates) I didn't want to risk.

My question is pretty basic: how large of tires can I go (and how much lift can I expect from them) before I have to start considering a lift kit and other mods? I feel pretty comfortable with with what we have planned (Death Valley, eastern Sierras/White Mountains) put would like just a touch more clearance.

Two pics of where I had to park and walk. The rough stuff I avoided isn't shown, but it's about 1300 ft, straight down, off that cliff.

Thanks in advance.

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Aaand a little closer up.

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[J-Thompson]

depending on how many miles are on the Jeep ,like over 40K
you will need new shocks and 99% need new coils
the OE shocks/coils SUCK
considering that you probably have to replace them any way
I would go Old Man Emu coils and shocks
then I would go with a 245/75 MT on the OE wheels
and I would still not wheel it with out skids

 

[Tanngrisnir3]

depending on how many miles are on the Jeep ,like over 40K
you will need new shocks and 99% need new coils
the OE shocks/coils SUCK
considering that you probably have to replace them any way
I would go Old Man Emu coils and shocks
then I would go with a 245/75 MT on the OE wheels
and I would still not wheel it with out skids

Thanks! That's precisely the kind of answer I was looking for. I bought it w/97K on the odo, but it was a strictly urban vehicle.

Nevertheless, with new skins on the wheels, I can see the advantage of swapping out shocks/coils.

I'm just trying to do what I can for clearance, without destroying roadability and lifting the rig. Skids are definitely coming, but for now it's primarily going into the non-******** areas of Death Valley and the Inyo/White Mountains.

 

[tommudd]

You won't destroy roadability with doing a lift. If done right it actually makes it ride and handle better. Mines been lifted over 130,000 miles of its 153,000 mile life, its the only thing I own so its my DD/take anywhere I want to go rig.

 

[Atrus]

You won't destroy roadability with doing a lift. If done right it actually makes it ride and handle better. Mines been lifted over 130,000 miles of its 153,000 mile life, its the only thing I own so its my DD/take anywhere I want to go rig.

Agreed. I was really nervous about the same thing as I am in my vehicle for a good 2-2.5 hours a day. The OME's helped a ton - just wish I would have gone 927/948 (Heavy Duty).

You won't regret it. It won't ride like a Cadillac or a dump truck. It'll be a firm, but definitely NOT harsh ride. It'll be firmer, but more mellow than stock. Sounds like a contradiction, but it's not - if you do it you'll see.

Lift first, and then throw 245/75's on there and be happy.

To determine lift by tires only...figure out the diameter change of the stock-to-new tire size and divide by two. It won't be much - you don't get a ton of lift changing out tires, maybe 1/2" from stock to 245/75.

 

[Tanngrisnir3]

Agreed. I was really nervous about the same thing as I am in my vehicle for a good 2-2.5 hours a day. The OME's helped a ton - just wish I would have gone 927/948 (Heavy Duty).

You won't regret it. It won't ride like a Cadillac or a dump truck. It'll be a firm, but definitely NOT harsh ride. It'll be firmer, but more mellow than stock. Sounds like a contradiction, but it's not - if you do it you'll see.

Lift first, and then throw 245/75's on there and be happy.

To determine lift by tires only...figure out the diameter change of the stock-to-new tire size and divide by two. It won't be much - you don't get a ton of lift changing out tires, maybe 1/2" from stock to 245/75.

This is great; exactly the type of input I was hoping to find at this site.

If I can ask, why do you wish you'd gone heavy-duty? I'm just about to purchase a OME product, and would like to make a choice I won't have to change later.

 

[tommudd]

98.7 % of folks on here and LOST have gone with the 927/948 combo, its the only ones I install. Ride is great.
For the fronts the OME 926s are rated at 375 lb , only 65 more than stock, the 927s are rated at 400 lb and hold up much better day in day out. The 927s are also what is used in all of the gasser Frankenlifts.
My front 927s lasted 100,000 miles before I removed them and they're now on another KJ, of course its just sitting waiting on a motor swap :icon_twisted:

 

[Tanngrisnir3]

98.7 % of folks on here and LOST have gone with the 927/948 combo, its the only ones I install. Ride is great.
For the fronts the OME 926s are rated at 375 lb , only 65 more than stock, the 927s are rated at 400 lb and hold up much better day in day out. The 927s are also what is used in all of the gasser Frankenlifts.
My front 927s lasted 100,000 miles before I removed them and they're now on another KJ, of course its just sitting waiting on a motor swap :icon_twisted:

Thanks! I'm getting the HD's, in that case, but given the nature of what we're intending to do, I'm looking elsewhere for shocks. $285 front AND rear seem a bit steep for the areas where I'm going.

This is exactly the type of info I was looking for.

Thanks again.

 

[tommudd]

Shocks are one of the main parts which contribute to a good ride, plus the fact with better shocks the springs will last longer
But if you want to cheap out and the shocks blow in 20,000 not a problem with me:shrug: