minimal lift for 31's

Once I get frame for the jeep (61?) cj5) cleaned up and a few things welded, Im going to hang the axles back under it, the stock 27and 44, with 5.38's as far as I can tell. Question is, how much lift will I need to fit 31x10.50 tires under it? I think that's just big enough to look good without going overboard. Any recommendations brandwise?

 

If I remember correctly mine came with 10.50s when I got it and no lift.

 

I think they fit w/o lift. Side clearance may be tight and will also depend on the wheel offset.

 

Yep. For 31s you should not need any lift. They will rub on the flat insides of the rear wheel houses, but even the factory tires rub there. They may also cog against the springs at lock - adjust the stop on the knuckles if that bothers you.

Factory backspacing is roughly 3.5". If you put these tires on rims that are narrower than say 8" the sidewalls will bulge out, and you will have more rubbing as I've described.

 

As stated, 31's will fit with no lift. To minimize the rubbing on the front springs, try to find some shallow backspaced wheels. No more than 3.25" and even less if you can find that in what you want for wheels.

 

Ok, so I don't need a lift, good to know, but since I am buying a whole new suspension anyway, anyone have any recommendations? The original front springs snapped, and im told not to mix new and old.

 

I was going to add that 31's would fit with stock springs if the old springs weren't completely sagged out.

I don't really know where to get new stock height springs but I would start by checking NAPA and Skyjacker.

 

They fit with no lift but if you have to buy springs anyway, why wouldn't you buy some lift springs? 2-2.5" springs and 31's will look proportional...And better in my opinion. But not everybody likes that look I guess.

 

that's pretty much what I was thinking, Walcks has stock springs but a lot of the lift companies have whole kits, too, the Rough country is the cheapest, looks like the BDS is the most expensive. Too many choices, whos tried what?

 

I run 31x10.5 on a stock 1957, no lift, and I think it looks very good. Nor do I feel the need for any extra lift for the wheeling I do.

 

I've run both-

Stock springs and 31x11.50 on 15x10-


Used Rancho 2.5" lift springs


I prefer the latter but to each their own. It depends on the look he wants and how he wants to use it. I found that I was constantly on the bumpstops and rubbing the front fenders with the stock springs. It rides better and wheels better with the small amount of lift.

I've run Superlift and Rancho. In my opinion the Superlift rode better than the Rancho, but the Rancho's on the jeep now aren't bad. BDS has the best reputation for ride. I've been tempted to run BDS on this one if/when I switch.

 

This is what mine looks like with 2 1/2 BDS & 31" tires

 

no lift on mine with the 31s. i did add a little spacer in the back to help clear the inner fenders they very rarely rub only when im loaded with 4 passengers 4 bikes on the back and laps full of groceries going around a sharp corner lol and my springs are original and tired especially in the front it had a plow on it for along time.



Im not sure how much lift is on this jeep but its got 31s and looks a bit too much.

 

Here's my flatty with 8x10" rims on 31"s and a Rancho 1 1/2" lift.