Are higher fenders better than a lift to fit 37s?

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

Have a Mojave with painted fenders on 35s. Want to go to 37s. Was planning on a AEV 2" Mojave-specific spacer-suspension lift. But what if I instead removed the black plastic liner on the underside of each fender (the part of the fender which contains the turn signal lights)? Would that extra fender space provide enough additional articulation room for 37s if I also throw on a 1" spacer boost? Will I then have the equivalent space of a 2" lift without the expense of actually buying a 2" lift? Also be more garage-door-height friendly and minimize stress on the rest of the suspension (ball joints, etc.). Of course, I'd have to replace the turn signals somehow. Effectively, does a higher fender give one the same benefits as a lift?

Sponsored

 

[Lunentucker]

Effectively, does a higher fender give one the same benefits as a lift?

No. A suspension lift will move the body higher off the ground. That includes the bumpers, fenders, rocker panels, and anything else attached to the body and frame of the vehicle, including the engine, transmission, transfer case, and exhaust system.

What you do is sidestep some of the negatives associated with suspensions lifts. Lowered caster angle, shifting the body to the driver's side, increased pinion angles.

 

[MPMB]

Not really. It might work if you keep your wheels straight, but turning and travel won't really work.

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

No. A suspension lift will move the body higher off the ground. That includes the bumpers, fenders, rocker panels, and anything else attached to the body and frame of the vehicle, including the engine, transmission, transfer case, and exhaust system.

What you do is sidestep some of the negatives associated with suspensions lifts. Lowered caster angle, shifting the body to the driver's side, increased pinion angles.

True, but the 37s will life all that stuff up by one inch over the existing 35s - including the pumpkin. And if I use a one inch spacer too, that lifts the body up by another inch.

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

Not really. It might work if you keep your wheels straight, but turning and travel won't really work.

Hmmmm...didn't think of that. Might be a good point.

 

[Lunentucker]

True, but the 37s will life all that stuff up by one inch over the existing 35s - including the pumpkin. And if I use a one inch spacer too, that lifts the body up by another inch.

That wasn't the question.

 

[FijiKid]

I have 37s with aftermarket wheels, 0 offset. No rubbing, lock to lock … mainly street so far. From what I can see … still plenty of room for my needs - beach, fire trails and snow in the winter.

I did rehear tho.

So far so good for me.

Hope this helps…

 

[Banned]

Unless you're needing to increase break over angle for rock crawling, an LCG build is superior in every way.

 

[CJ5w4wdSmokyOnMyTail]

Unless you're needing to increase break over angle for rock crawling, an LCG build is superior in every way.

What is a LCG build? "Lower Center of Gravity"?

 

[Banned]

What is a LCG build? "Lower Center of Gravity"?

 

[Bjeepz]

37’s will fit and turn and work great on your stock Mojave suspension with stock Mojave wheels.

Here is mine;

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-missed-my-mojave-so-i-got-another-one.80112/

Also check this out;

 

[Zachanadandy]

Unless you're needing to increase break over angle for rock crawling, an LCG build is superior in every way.

Breakover, approach, departure etc. This isn't a 2dr tj or JL, at which point I'd agree with you. The JT is long and low and drags an everything. The departure and breakover angles are atrocious at stock height. There were some washes in the desert where I had to turn around because the JTM would have been sitting on the front and rear bumpers at stock height. LCG is very important in a short wheel base rig. For the JT the clearance benefits far outweigh the slightly higher center of gravity in my experience. Room for much longer travel shocks is another huge benefit. Even with 2" of lift and 37s I still drag the rear bumper and belly, but it's better than getting hung up on them. The thing is still planted in the corners and stable on the steepest of side hills. We aren't talking 6+" of lift here. Just enough to properly clear 37s at full stuff , gain a crucial few inches more clearance, and have room for a shock with 12' or more of travel. No stuffing 37s under chopped fenders with a stock suspension isn't superior in any way.

 

[Banned]

Breakover, approach, departure etc. This isn't a 2dr tj or JL, at which point I'd agree with you. The JT is long and low and drags an everything. The departure and breakover angles are atrocious at stock height. There were some washes in the desert where I had to turn around because the JTM would have been sitting on the front and rear bumpers at stock height. LCG is very important in a short wheel base rig. For the JT the clearance benefits far outweigh the slightly higher center of gravity in my experience. Room for much longer travel shocks is another huge benefit. Even with 2" of lift and 37s I still drag the rear bumper and belly, but it's better than getting hung up on them. The thing is still planted in the corners and stable on the steepest of side hills. We aren't talking 6+" of lift here. Just enough to properly clear 37s at full stuff , gain a crucial few inches more clearance, and have room for a shock with 12' or more of travel. No stuffing 37s under chopped fenders with a stock suspension isn't superior in any way.

You can jack it sky high if you want, I really don't care. No one should be running 37's on 4:10's with a 3.6 anyway, it makes no sense. It's nonsense. Kind of like buying a long wheelbase truck and thinking you're going rock crawling with it. The less you lift it the better off you'll be. You don't have a "desert racing truck", it never will be. You have a Gladiator with one locker and overpriced shocks with 8" of wheel travel. A 2" lift and 37's were two steps in the wrong direction.

 

[Zachanadandy]

You can jack it sky high if you want, I really don't care. No one should be running 37's on 4:10's with a 3.6 anyway, it makes no sense. It's nonsense. Kind of like buying a long wheelbase truck and thinking you're going rock crawling with it. The less you lift it the better off you'll be. You don't have a "desert racing truck", it never will be. You have a Gladiator with one locker and overpriced shocks with 8" of wheel travel. A 2" lift and 37's were two steps in the wrong direction.

Sky high 2" lift? OK. I know math is hard for some, but thanks to the 8 speed 4.10s is literally the equivalent of running 5.38s on a JK...same 3.6l and 37s. Not only is it more than adequate it is great on and off road from crawling to cruising 90 mph for hundreds of miles to rolling through the desert at 70+mph. Some of us actually use our trucks and some spout opinions as facts, but you do you.

 

[Banned]

Try running that truck at altitude with a 25% derate. Let me know in 20K miles how those stock axles are holding up, lol. You could have built a Formula offroad buggy in your garage for less than you'll have in that Gladiator trying to make it a trophy truck, genius. Some of us actually use our trucks and picture ourselves as desert racing champions, and some use their trucks within logical limitations. but you do you. FIFY.

Sponsored