what are my options for tires/springs with only a bl/mml?

jeepsyco · 2010-12-02

What are the largest tires with only a 1.25" BL/MML and MOABS? the 255's look too big. Who makes good replacement (or a tad longer) spings? This is for an 05 LJ

3rivers

· #2 · Dec 3, 2010

The 255s will be too tall - unless you lengthen the bump stops some and you may have to do some trimming - not sure.

I'd like to try that exact combo, though - it would be a nice sleeper and ride and handle well on the street.

I don't know of any aftermarket springs that are slightly over stock height, but I'd like to hear about some if they're out there.
It seems like they start at 2"

With a 16" rim, 285/75/16 should technically be slightly shorter than 255/85s, but you'd have to limit your turning radius.

The safest bet would be 265/75s, but safe is boring. :lildevil:

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gregert12

· #3 · Dec 3, 2010

I know there is a conversion to ZJ springs since they net a little but have not looked into it.

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jeepsyco

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 4, 2010

gregert12 said:
I know there is a conversion to ZJ springs since they net a little but have not looked into it.

I wonder if its just acquiring ZJ springs, I know the front springs are different, but what about the rear?

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gregert12

· #5 · Dec 4, 2010

jeepsyco said:
gregert12 said:

I know there is a conversion to ZJ springs since they net a little but have not looked into it.

Click to expand...

I wonder if its just acquiring ZJ springs, I know the front springs are different, but what about the rear?

I searched a bit and found this:

It sounds like you put the V8 ZJ springs on the front of the Rubi and the Rubi's front springs on the back.

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f5/v8-zj-coils-on-tj-48830.html

I have ZJ lift springs. And I know all to well about spring rates.

Of course the ride will differ and that is the just of what I was stating. I know several ppl who run the ZJ springs. Nothing wrong with it at all. The jeeps that rode like crap were 4cyl TJ's with V8 zj springs with no added weight. Very stiff ride. Also most people who do a ZJ spring swap do it because they are on a little or no budget. Just like alot of us. But most all reviews are bias, If all someone knows is stock or modded with ZJ spring how can they truly give a accurate review of it compared to other lifts?

Junkyard springs are going to be broken in whether you get them from the 6cyl or 8cyl will be determine the spring rate...also there was the factory upcountry ZJ spring with an even stiffer coil rate and net almost 1'' more lift.

I don't know what is on your jeep I was simple letting you know a few facts. To help you out. Not steer you away from doing the swap.

Anything else bud let us know.

http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=28070

A spring from a V8 ZJ would give a cherokee about .5-1 inch of lift over stock so in your application it should be right in the ball park of what your looking for IMHO

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jeepsyco

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 4, 2010

WOW< very nice leg work Greg. Thanks man. Looks like I'm gonna start looking into this a little more.

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RubiconRic

· #7 · Dec 6, 2010

Writeup on front springs to rear:
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=64028

Old post on my current "budget" build:
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=71295

Depending on your usage... loading up heavy for expedition-type camping trips for example, putting the front springs on the back of your LJ probably wouldn't be a good mid to long term solution. But hey, it's free, so you could always try and test it out if you wanted.

As for the ZJ springs on the front... I have my bumper and winch on the front with a 2.25" spacer and junkyard ZJ springs and I have around 3". On the rear I am still running my old front springs and am around 3" as well.

Without some sort of lift or BB, you won't be able to run 255s or even 33s IMO...

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jeepsyco

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 6, 2010

RubiconRic said:
Writeup on front springs to rear:
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=64028

Old post on my current "budget" build:
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=71295

Depending on your usage... loading up heavy for expedition-type camping trips for example, putting the front springs on the back of your LJ probably wouldn't be a good mid to long term solution. But hey, it's free, so you could always try and test it out if you wanted.

As for the ZJ springs on the front... I have my bumper and winch on the front with a 2.25" spacer and junkyard ZJ springs and I have around 3". On the rear I am still running my old front springs and am around 3" as well.

Without some sort of lift or BB, you won't be able to run 255s or even 33s IMO...

Thanks for the info. For some background, I currently run the JKS BL/MML and was planning on the OME but started thinking about this for a mild, perfect DD vehicle. You seem to have a pretty heavy set up so I assume I'd net a little more with a lighter front.

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F

Fargo

· #9 · Dec 6, 2010

I don't know much about them, but H&R makes a 1" spring for the TJ. http://hrsprings.com/scripts/appgui...ear=2005&ModelID=235&q=2005 | Jeep | Wrangler. However, I don't know if that would be enough to run either the 255/85 or a 285/75. In either case I tend to think you will need a 2" spring along with your BL.

I put the BDS 2" spring on my Rubi LJ. I gained about 1.5" in front and 2" in the rear. I paired the BDS springs with the Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks. However, I would only recommend this setup if you have some weight in the rear of the Jeep. I have found that the BDS springs are a little too stiff for the Rancho shocks. The shocks don't seem to damp enough on rebound. Although they are great for compression. If you have an aftermarket rear bumper with tire carrier I think it would be a great setup for you. But if you have the stock rear bumper or a soft top I think I would recommend the BDS standard shocks or the OME sport shocks. Thats what I would do if I had to do it again. Let us know what you go with.

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jeepsyco

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 6, 2010

Oh and I forgot to mention, I will have an LOD signature series tire carrier (sitting in the garage waiting to go on).

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Jim K in PA

· #11 · Dec 9, 2010

I have been running 255/85s mounted on Moabs on my '05 LJ with a 1.25" BL and 1" MML for three years. I do not use wheel spacers, or bump stop spacers. There is absolutely NO body/flare contact at all, and have wheeled it plenty. I get very light contact with the stock front sway bar and even lighter contact with my tubular lower control arms. I had not contact with the stock control arms. Tire coverage with the stock flares is perfect. This is with Maxxis BHs and now Cooper STs.

No need to upgrade the suspension for this tire size, unless you want to.

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'05TJLWBRUBY

· #12 · Dec 9, 2010

Jim K in PA said:
I have been running 255/85s mounted on Moabs on my '05 LJ with a 1.25" BL and 1" MML for three years. I do not use wheel spacers, or bump stop spacers. There is absolutely NO body/flare contact at all, and have wheeled it plenty. I get very light contact with the stock front sway bar and even lighter contact with my tubular lower control arms. I had not contact with the stock control arms. Tire coverage with the stock flares is perfect. This is with Maxxis BHs and now Cooper STs.

No need to upgrade the suspension for this tire size, unless you want to.

Be very careful stating this as fact. I hate to disagree or ruffle feathers here, but I do NOT agree with this in the slightest. This is/has been my favorite tire size for some time now and I've set them up on many different rigs other than my own, as well as built my current trailer to run them. Keep in mind every Jeep is different and that very well may be the case with your rig, but I can assure you 100% for FACT that this size did NOT work on my rig without suspension changes and wheel spacers. Nor would it have worked on any other rig I have helped out with, with only a BL/BMML if you actually wheel it. Some folks MAY get lucky with their setups and MIGHT get away with it here and there, but do to it right, I'd definitely not bank on that. Then again, I wheel the piss out of my rig and ask it to do more than most. I will not tolerate rubbing flares, suspension parts, swaybars, frame perches-anything. All of which DID rub on my own, or others I've worked on. Good way to ruin a good rig if this occurs.

Again, not trying to be rude here, but I'd hate for some fellow ROF'r to read this and believe it to be gospel, grab a set for their rig then find out they need to spend hundreds of dollars of upgrades to make them work properly-at minimum, all on a poor college budget when they just spent their last dime on the tires and now can't run them.

With any tire change or suspension setup, pull your springs/shocks and cycle everything thoroughly up/down, crossed up every which way you can and determine for yourself whether they'll work on YOUR rig or not, as well as what changes need to be made to make them work properly. A lot of money can avoid being spent if proper research and homework is done first.

Best of Luck,

Mike

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Jim K in PA

· #13 · Dec 10, 2010

It is fact as far as my rig is concerned. The OP can make his own judgements. The little contact I have is at full lock, and I specifically stated it so that the OP would not expect 100% clearance. I will re-phrase my last sentence:

There has been no need for me to upgrade the suspension for this tire size.

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