2.5” Lift With 35’s on Gladiator Rubicon?

[AlbizzleFoShizzle]

So I’m considering on running a ready lift SST 2.5 spacer kit with 35’s. I’ve been trying to find some folk on here who are running the same set up. Most are running 37’s in the Rubicon. Those who are running 35’s own a Gladiator Sport. From my understanding the Rubicon has higher fenders. I’m curious to see how the 35’s fill in the wheel Wells with the lift. I also had a few questions....

-do have any photos
-did you need to regear?
-how was the steering?
-did you have to add a corrections?

Here’s a little background-
I’m new to the Jeep community. I’ve never gone off roading til I purchased my Rubicon. I’ve only done 2 trails totaling about 40miles. I purchased my Jeep 2 months ago. I drive on the highway a ton. This is why I would prefer 35’s. I also don’t want to open a can of worms going to 37’s. I rather use that money to add some mods to my house or take a nice family vaca. But I do feel like the 33’s are to small for the rubicon.

here is what I have purchased so far-
2 piece sunshade
Some adventure handles
Stubby antenna
RC half doors
Pressure washer for the black paint

Thanks in advance for any information provided.

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[brianinca]

You don't need a lift to run 35's on a JT Rubicon. If you want a lift for the look, that's another matter. 35's work great, that should be the OEM tire size for Rubicons.

A spacer kit won't give you anything offroad except you'll have a bit more room under the belly and the butt. I went with more skidplates rather than a lift as towing is also a thing for us.

If you want to improve offroad capability a coil lift with arms is the way to go.

 

[AlbizzleFoShizzle]

You don't need a lift to run 35's on a JT Rubicon. If you want a lift for the look, that's another matter. 35's work great, that should be the OEM tire size for Rubicons.

A spacer kit won't give you anything offroad except you'll have a bit more room under the belly and the butt. I went with more skidplates rather than a lift as towing is also a thing for us.

If you want to improve offroad capability a coil lift with arms is the way to go.

yea I’m looking into a complete belly armor set up in the future. Seriously back and forth on 35’s and 37’s.
Really trying to be realistic about my wants Vs needs. Especially on something I really DONT need. If that makes sense. Lol

thanks for your reply. Do you mind sending me a side pick? To see what your Rig looks like on flat surface please?

 

[AlbizzleFoShizzle]

yea I’m looking into a complete belly armor set up in the future. Seriously back and forth on 35’s and 37’s.
Really trying to be realistic about my wants Vs needs. Especially on something I really DONT need. If that makes sense. Lol

thanks for your reply. Do you mind sending me a side pick? To see what your Rig looks like on flat surface please?

OH!! no issue on wheeling while off roading? As far as rubbing is Concerned?

 

[brianinca]

Yes, I've not had any issues with clearance and 35's. 37's for me would mean a lift that will still tow and gears, and compromised on-road performance. Even with gears the rotating mass / unsprung weight of 37's is a barrier. Ran a 2nd set of 37" muds on an H2 for years and it was a relief to go back to the 35" AT's every time (when I was younger and my back didn't complain about swapping tires).

I don't have many truck pictures, here's one my wife took in Death Valley:

OH!! no issue on wheeling while off roading? As far as rubbing is Concerned?

 

[AlbizzleFoShizzle]

Yes, I've not had any issues with clearance and 35's. 37's for me would mean a lift that will still tow and gears, and compromised on-road performance. Even with gears the rotating mass / unsprung weight of 37's is a barrier. Ran a 2nd set of 37" muds on an H2 for years and it was a relief to go back to the 35" AT's every time (when I was younger and my back didn't complain about swapping tires).

I don't have many truck pictures, here's one my wife took in Death Valley:

thank you for the reply! After SO MUCH research. I feel 35’s are the way to go. I love the 37’s look but my instinct is telling me 35’s. I’ll probably regear later on down the road to bring that pep back and get a little better crawl ratio with the 35’s.

Thank you for the side pic. it really helped me look at the wheel well & the 35’s at a normal angle.

& Death Valley is GREAT,
Love the salt flats!

 

[Gladiator1975]

Here is my Sport with 2.5" lift and 35's. I like the look of 37's but was talked out of it. Rides great

 

[mtudb24]

While i don't have a Rubicon, i waffled back and forth on 35's vs 37's. I ended up with 35's and the mopar lift and kept the factory 4:10 gears. 37's would have cost me money for gears and I tow a 24 foot boat, so I went with the 35's. The ATX's are a true 35 and the 1" in ground clearance that I would have gained by going to a 37's wasn't worth the extra money. Happy with the look and performance I have.

 

[Gladiator1975]

While i don't have a Rubicon, i waffled back and forth on 35's vs 37's. I ended up with 35's and the mopar lift and kept the factory 4:10 gears. 37's would have cost me money for gears and I tow a 24 foot boat, so I went with the 35's. The ATX's are a true 35 and the 1" in ground clearance that I would have gained by going to a 37's wasn't worth the extra money. Happy with the look and performance I have.

I totally agree. The extra work and spend that is involved with 37's didn't make sense for me.

 

[Gladiator1975]

While i don't have a Rubicon, i waffled back and forth on 35's vs 37's. I ended up with 35's and the mopar lift and kept the factory 4:10 gears. 37's would have cost me money for gears and I tow a 24 foot boat, so I went with the 35's. The ATX's are a true 35 and the 1" in ground clearance that I would have gained by going to a 37's wasn't worth the extra money. Happy with the look and performance I have.

I dig the classic white look

 

[AlbizzleFoShizzle]

Yes, I've not had any issues with clearance and 35's. 37's for me would mean a lift that will still tow and gears, and compromised on-road performance. Even with gears the rotating mass / unsprung weight of 37's is a barrier. Ran a 2nd set of 37" muds on an H2 for years and it was a relief to go back to the 35" AT's every time (when I was younger and my back didn't complain about swapping tires).

I don't have many truck pictures, here's one my wife took in Death Valley:

I forgot to ask you.... did you need to recalibrate your speedometer?

 

[TJDave]

I just swapped some 35" Patagonias for a set of 37" Mastercraft MXT. I have a 2.5" RC front level kit, and .75" rear Daystar spacers. I added Mopar 2" lift lower front control arms. My buddy bought the Milestars, and I got a great deal on the MTXs, so it didn't cost me a ton of money to swap. The MTXs are also one of the lightest MTs out there. They weigh less than some 35's.
I don't know why I did it, I just wanted to. Lol. That and I dragged my belly a couple times offroad, and wanted the extra inch the 37's provide over the 35's. I may go back to 35's when these wear out. We will see how it does offroad. So far, I can't really tell the difference. Stock 4.10 gears and tire size adjusted with a Tazer Mini. It rides a little nicer actually. Still weighing options on a complete spring lift.

35's

37's

 

[AlbizzleFoShizzle]

I just swapped some 35" Patagonias for a set of 37" Mastercraft MXT. I have a 2.5" RC front level kit, and .75" rear Daystar spacers. I added Mopar 2" lift lower front control arms. My buddy bought the Milestars, and I got a great deal on the MTXs, so it didn't cost me a ton of money to swap. The MTXs are also one of the lightest MTs out there. They weigh less than some 35's.
I don't know why I did it, I just wanted to. Lol. That and I dragged my belly a couple times offroad, and wanted the extra inch the 37's provide over the 35's. I may go back to 35's when these wear out. We will see how it does offroad. So far, I can't really tell the difference. Stock 4.10 gears and tire size adjusted with a Tazer Mini. It rides a little nicer actually. Still weighing options on a complete spring lift.

35's

37's

nice stance!

 

[brianinca]

Yes, that's a must do. I bought a Tazer Mini for the task and it worked perfectly. There are a ton of other great features, auto stop-start memory, lockers in 2Hi and 4Hi, swaybar disconnect in 2Hi up to 30 MPH, etc etc. That was one of the first things I ordered for the truck.

At 82 MPH indicated the GPS says 84, so it's very close to perfectly calibrated.

I forgot to ask you.... did you need to recalibrate your speedometer?

 

[brianinca]

WOW that is a great looking package you put together!

While i don't have a Rubicon, i waffled back and forth on 35's vs 37's. I ended up with 35's and the mopar lift and kept the factory 4:10 gears. 37's would have cost me money for gears and I tow a 24 foot boat, so I went with the 35's. The ATX's are a true 35 and the 1" in ground clearance that I would have gained by going to a 37's wasn't worth the extra money. Happy with the look and performance I have.

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