What are the realistic expectations from a stock Sport?

[PyrPatriot]

They'll fit stock but they might rub a tad at full articulation, which is OK. But for daily driving and medium/light wheeling they will be fine and won't rub. Otherwise a small spacer lift would clear them fine....spacer lifts are cheap and easy to install.

Do lift kits (like the mopar 2” lift) or spacers void the warranty?

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[BLK HOLE]

Do lift kits (like the mopar 2” lift) or spacers void the warranty?

They don't. If you install, say....an AEV lift on there then it voids only those components. But if you use the MOPAR one then those components are still warrantied.

 

[PyrPatriot]

They don't. If you install, say....an AEV lift on there then it voids only those components. But if you use the MOPAR one then those components are still warrantied.

And so how does all this talk about gear ratios needing to be changed and rpms work

https://www.quadratec.com/c/reference/gear-ratio-guide-for-larger-tires

 

[BLK HOLE]

And so how does all this talk about gear ratios needing to be changed and rpms work

https://www.quadratec.com/c/reference/gear-ratio-guide-for-larger-tires

Its a rule of thumb guide but doesn't take a lot of other things into effect like the trans gearing. 35's on a JL or JT don't really need new gears if you don't want to.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

Go to TrailsOffroad.com. With a high degree of certainty, I think you'll be able to hit any trail that is rated as Moderate or below. Some of the Difficult trails are possible if there are bypasses on the more challenging obstacles. I think you'll find yourself able to take on obstacles that are at least 1ft tall, perhaps more. It's definitely more capable than any other stock truck. I'd say it's at least as capable as a Tacoma TRD Off-Road but not quite up to the abilities of the TRD Pro.

I would recommend upgrading the tires. The AT tires on the Sport are just 245/75R17s. Get yourself some 33s like the Falken ATs or MTs for the Rubicon. They don't cost a huge amount but they'll fit your Sport and give you a little bit of a lift. More importantly, they'll give you a great boost in traction.

 

[ATLalien]

Thanks for the information, everyone! I am glad to have it confirmed that the Jeep can do more than expected and more than other stock SUV/Trucks.

I will have to loom into the Jeep Jamboree. Mods like lifts, lockers, etc wont come for another 5 years, and maybe I will just get a Rubicon by then and mod that!

I have a stock Overland. Your primary limitations are going to be the break over (due to the long wheelbase), and departure angles. While there is a ton of capability in your stock Sport (more than many will every use), and the limitations can be greatly mitigated by lift/tires; there are still other stock SUV's and trucks with better break over and departure angles. However, none of them can get naked!

 

[HorneyBadger]

Having taken previous JK's offroad right off the showroom floor, they are quite capable for easy and most moderate trails. There is a reason why there is a trail rated badge on the side. We have owned Sahara's and they came with 32" AT's. So a little more clearance. I agree with ATLaLien that the JT breakover is troublesome at times. It's all about approach! But 33's and a 2in budget boost will take you a long way!
Look for someone selling JL or JT Rubicon 33's after they have upgraded. Good starting point.

33's on the Overland. No lift. Tonka Truck!

 

[PyrPatriot]

Go to TrailsOffroad.com. With a high degree of certainty, I think you'll be able to hit any trail that is rated as Moderate or below. Some of the Difficult trails are possible if there are bypasses on the more challenging obstacles. I think you'll find yourself able to take on obstacles that are at least 1ft tall, perhaps more. It's definitely more capable than any other stock truck. I'd say it's at least as capable as a Tacoma TRD Off-Road but not quite up to the abilities of the TRD Pro.

I would recommend upgrading the tires. The AT tires on the Sport are just 245/75R17s. Get yourself some 33s like the Falken ATs or MTs for the Rubicon. They don't cost a huge amount but they'll fit your Sport and give you a little bit of a lift. More importantly, they'll give you a great boost in traction.

No trails in my area according to that site

 

[Mark Doiron]

... I would strongly advise against taking a stock Sport or Overland onto the trails. ...

You bring up good points that the JT isn't quite comparable to a JK or JL. However, there are plenty of trails that are accessible to long pickups. I cited several above. I didn't mention others that I've driven because by then my Jeep was pretty heavily modified with lift, tires, etc. Of course, I also didn't recommend others that I've driven because of the stock JT limitations--including Blanca Peak, Fins and Things (though that's been driven in a 2WD car) and Poison Spider Mesa. And there are places at Disney that probably none of us here on this forum would tackle--such as climbing Viagra. I think it's fair to say that OP will need to choose his trails carefully, pick his line truly (often aided by walking it first), and use a spotter where wheel and body parts placement is especially critical. Some other specific "trails" I'd recommend:

Engineer Pass
Ophir Pass
Imogene Pass
TransAmerica Trail
Georgia Traverse
Oklahoma Adventure Trail
Dempster Highway (if driving to the Arctic Ocean interests OP)
Dalton Highway (ditto the Arctic Ocean comment)
Dollhouse (Maze District, Canyonlands)
Roads around Uncompahgre National Forest and Grand Mesa, CO
Croton Road
Hole-in-the-Rock Road (west of Lake Powell, not east, which is quite technical)
White Rim Road
Mojave Road (one short, steep downhill was pretty worn earlier this year, but easily bypassed. And crossing the Mojave River at Afton Canyon can be quite deep)
Alpine Tunnel
Tin Cup Pass
Washington Backcountry Discovery Route
Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route
Black Gap Road (and all others in Big Bend National Park)
Puerto Blanca Drive
And many, many others that are 4WD recommended (despite the word "road" in their name).

All of these, and many others, are well-documented on my YouTube channel for anyone who'd like to see what the experience is like. Sometimes you'll even see a full-size Chevy pickup out there on the trails with me. Just select the video tab, and be prepared to scroll down through the nearly 200 videos on the channel ...

 

[jprcr4]

video of wheelin bone stock sport

 

[PyrPatriot]

video of wheelin bone stock sport

Perfect. Exactly what I wanted to see

 

[futzin']

Perfect. Exactly what I wanted to see

I wish we could wheel in dry conditions like that here in KY sometimes. Always mud . . .

 

[PyrPatriot]

I wish we could wheel in dry conditions like that here in KY sometimes. Always mud . . .

I would settle for gravel roads

 

[Godfadr]

A stock 'S' or 'Overland' will exceed most people's needs. Add some bigger tires...and even more.

 

[ATLalien]

A stock 'S' or 'Overland' will exceed most people's needs. Add some bigger tires...and even more.

Indeed. I've taken my stock overland off-road about 5 times since purchasing in July and it's always done great.
To be fair, most of the trails I've run have been dead easy, forest service roads, but I did do at least one fairly moderate trail where I was concerned about break over on one obstacle (just a dirt hill with a steep peak). Even stopped the truck to scout if first, but it cleared it with a few inches to spare. Also crossed a stream lined with 6-8" rocks, a couple of feet deep, against a fairly swift current. That same trail proceed to climb about 1000 up to a ridge top over fist sized rocks, tree roots, shallow ditches, and mud puddles. This was all completely stock, down to the street tires. Actually rescued a lost hiker at the top too, and gave him a ride back down to his truck at the bottom. Nothing close to rock crawling on the rubicon trail, but the Overland handled it all easily with room for more.

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