Bought my first Jeep last month, a 99 Wrangler with a 4.0 motor and a 5-speed. Right now it has stock alloy wheels and p205 75R15 street tires. It is my only vehicle, so it will get me to work and everywhere else. But I also want to try some off-roading for fun. Soon I'll try some of the Trail Rides I read about here --I think I'm gonna like this. Take off the top and doors and enjoy some 4-wheeling. So how do I get my Jeep ready?

Here are my questions about wheels and suspension:

1. Are 31 x 10.5's good size tires to upgrade to? Will they fit the stock wheels I have now? How do I find out exactly what size wheels (width) are on the Jeep now? I'm trying to strike a balance since this will be my daily transportation and I want to explore some off-roading too.

2. As for tires, what about the brands Pro Comp Tires or Mickey Thompson tires? A local 4x4 shop wants to sell me these 2 brands. Maybe I'm better off just getting a lift from the 4x4 shop and going to Town Fair tire supermarket for the tires?

3. I read great reviews of Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo, the Firestone Destination A/T's, the Perelli Scorpion AT's, and the Dunlop Radial Rover RVXT tires. Anyone have any advice regarding tire brands and models?

4. I read I don't need a lift for tire sizes up to the 31 x 10.5's I'm considering. So what is the point of a lift? In particular, I'm looking at a 2" suspension lift kit from BDS suspensions. What are the benefits of a suspension lift? Is that BDS one a good one? How do I know I'm getting good parts and proper installation?

5. If I do opt for the suspension lift kit, how much should I pay to get it installed? I live in Seymour CT, any locals recommend a particular shop they trust?

Your jeep is ready now for trail rides.. Go do a few and see where and if it comes up short.. Jumping up in tire size will take all the streetability out of your ride.. If it does everything you want it to do leave it alone. Only for very rough trails will you see a need for more than you have now.. When you do need more off road you will have far less on the street.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Do as big says and go hit the trails first and see what its capibly of, you just might be amazed. Bring a buddy thats done some off roading and knows of some begginer to intermediate trails.

as for the 31's i've seen them on stock jeeps before, they seem to fill up the wheelwells pretty good so i would think they might rub when going off road. as for what type of tire, its all personal pref. for me i like goodyear and bfg.

1. For a first time increase to keep the jeep a decent DD and trail toy, 31's work well.

2. Tire brand is a preference, I have really liked Dunlop lately. A 4x4 shop will sell you a good offroad tire. A tire shop will sell you a high mileage tire. To me, the only tire for an offroader is a mud terrain. These tires are loud and suck down 1-2 MPG because of the tread pattern. An All terrain tire is just a beefed up street tire. They will have a decent tread life, lowish noise and will work a bit better than a full street tire offroad. No street or AT tire will come close to the performance of an MT offroad.

3. skip

4. 31x10.5's will rub lightly full articulation, or on heavy bumps. For 31's I would just get a 2" coil spacer lift (~150-200$) and some rs5000's (rancho 40-50$ a piece) or es3000's (procomp 30-40$ a piece).

5. If you are mechanically inclined, do the lift yourself. If you know buddies that are, have them help. Doing the lift yourself is a GREAT learning experience.

Okay BigJim and tcoff, it makes sense to see what it can do before I change anything. I found a local 4x4 club that seems to have monthly trail rides so I'll aim for the May event, not yet announced. I'll also ask those guys where they ride locally and when I can tag along, etc.

Sunder, it is an interesting idea to install the lift myself. I can think of some guys who would know what they're doing who might lead me on it. I'm not rushing into anything yet so I'll continue to mull over the advice regrding lift parts and tires as I experiment with what the Jeep can do already.

BigJim says the streetability of the Jeep will be affected by larger tires and presumably also by a lift. Pardon my inexperience but exactly how will bigger tires (or a lift) affect the streetability of the Jeep?

All comments are appreciated. Thanks to all for the advice and I'm interested in hearing more opinions on these questions.

A lift kit affects the aerodynamics and center of gravity of the jeep. And larger tires kinda simulate driving up a gradual incline all of the time. All of these factors on a stock driveline setup will affect the fuel economy, power. It will feel a little more sluggish while driving. Now granted your ground clearance would be higher so you would be able to go more places.

You asked about tires.. In my experience I have found all tires to be the same in mud...till you get to a MUD tire. Normal street tires do as well in mud as most AT's. My choice for offroad is the Firestone Destination MUD TIRE! It is a sweet offroad tire and noisey as hell on the street. AT's look great but do little in the wilderness. For a street tire I would use a Firestone/Bridgestone REVO Or maybe a Goodyear. My personal vehicles have Bridgestones on them.
As for tire size the taller you go the more the Jeep thinks you are going up a hill. It is harder to twist the tall tire than it is a smaller one. Many on this site cannot use 5th gear unless driving DOWNHILL! 65 or 70mph is when one might be able to use 5th gear.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

For what it's worth, BFG Mud Terrains have been wrapped around all of my wheels...long tread life, not TOO much noise on the road, and I think they look awesome, too. Excellent sidewall puncture resistance as well. They WILL clog up in the REAL soft stuff, but for all-around wheelin', these are my favorite. White-walls out! (on these)

A good friend of mine switched from the BFG MT's to ProComp MT's, and hated 'em. Now his Toyota is on 38's (it's a death trap...but kewl...solid axles, Revolver shackles, turbo 2-point-something, roll-cage, goes anywhere except tight trails) so he can't use the BFG's anymore as they don't manufacture that size.

I like Ground Hawgs!!!

Jim, I had to laugh when you stated that many on this site never see 5th gear...except downhill. Heh, my 4-banger YJ is the ONLY vehicle I know of that can actually LOSE acceleration going DOWNHILL if the wind/altitude is right. And I'm pretty much stock! The old lady just shakes her head and smiles, usually saying, "oh my Goood". I say, "yep, pedal is to the floor" heh. That's why she likes taking her car. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

i agree with pretty much everything everyone saidcept on a couple things but that is due to my preferrences.

1)31's will fit with slight to little lift,and the will fit your rims if the rims are 7 inches wide,they will have the size stamped on the back of the rim it will look like this 15x7jj or along those lines

2)both of those are good brands

3) this is where my preference kicks in i also would prefer goodyears and bfg's goodyears because they never did me wrong and bfg's because i seen them carry many trucks through some rough places.I really dont like firestone/bridgestone(same company )something about the tire compound just aint right for me and i dont like how firestone prices their stuff tires and parts they sell.here is what i would recommend if you do go bigger tires
a)bf goodrich general off roading at ko's heavy mud mud terrain km
b)micky thompson baja claw directional tread wide deep lugs great for sand and mud
c)pro comp mud terrain or x terrain x terrain moreso due to directional tread
d) goodyear the mtr is at home everywhere hand is punture resistant.
ground hawgs and buckshot mudders are also dang good,seen a ton of them back home in stuff that would make a hummer bow in shame.

4) as Sunder stated articulation,more axel travel without bumping so you can take on bigger obstacles.
5)as someone said if you have the tools do it yourself.

another thing i might add before you decide on lift and tires get a winch,they are worth it there are posts in here on different winches and their capabilities as well as downfalls