Lift with no other goal than clearance for deep snow?

[DJPodratz]

I have an essentially stock 2021 Sport. I don't do serious off-roading. My main concern is getting down the driveway at the cabin after a big snow.

I often get bogged down as the snow packs under the frame.

What is the easiest way to add an inch or two without causing drivetrain issues? Not looking for bigger tires or any serious mods.

Thanks!

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[DailyMoparGuy]

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/2-spacer-lift-gladiator/

Anything less than 2 inches really wouldn’t be worth the trouble in my opinion…not for your goal anyway.

Edit: it will look goofy with factory sized tires. Just fyi.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

The easiest way to is slap some 35s on there, but sounds like that is not an option. Understandable if you don't want to deal with what comes with bigger tires.

Coil spacers can also be done relatively easily and cheap. AEV sells a 2" coil spacer kit for a little over $500.

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/2-spacer-lift-gladiator/

Or you can do a Teraflex 2.5" spacer kit and add shock extensions for a little less than the AEV kit. The AEV kit comes with their programmer that you won't need if you're keeping stock size tires.

https://teraflex.com/jt-2-5-performance-spacer-lift-kit-no-shocks.html
https://teraflex.com/jl-jt-2-shock-extension-bracket-kit-front-2-2-5-lift.html
https://teraflex.com/jt-2-shock-extension-kit-rear-2-2-5-lift.html

 

[Free2roam]

If you have the same size tires, you'll still get axle drag. Which packs snow up into the frame. I'd look at the Fallen Wild peak AT3/4 tires from a Rubicon. Sometimes you can get a pretty good deal on them. Probably the best investment I've done as far as upgrades. Probably change mine out to a pair I got this summer for the upcoming winter. First pair went 51k.
Still have some tread left but not enough for winter here.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/2-spacer-lift-gladiator/

Anything less than 2 inches really wouldn’t be worth the trouble in my opinion…not for your goal anyway.

Edit: it will look goofy with factory sized tires. Just fyi.

So my Overland looks goofy?

I have an essentially stock 2021 Sport. I don't do serious off-roading. My main concern is getting down the driveway at the cabin after a big snow.

I often get bogged down as the snow packs under the frame.

What is the easiest way to add an inch or two without causing drivetrain issues? Not looking for bigger tires or any serious mods.

Thanks!

The problem is mostly the front - you have either the skid plate up there, or the air dam on some models (like Sport)

Tires matter a lot - you can gain a little with some better tires, don't have to go clear up to 35s. A Sport with stock tires will have roughly 32" tires as I recall. You could go to 33s or something a bit taller with no other changes, and get a good snow rated tire.
With a decent tire on it, it will handle a lot of snow and get you through some deeper snow in some cases.

You can use spacers - spacers like Daystar 3/4" spacers go on top of the front springs and under the rear springs. No need to change bump stops and mess with anything else.
Or, you can go taller springs like I did - Synergy springs up front to gain an inch or so, and Daystar spacers under the rear springs (they are 0.75 (3/4"))
So I lost just a little bit of rake, but gained some clearance up front.
Also - full disclosure - I put a snow plow on in the winter and the Synergy springs handle the weight better, along with giving me a bit more clearance because all of the stuff up front is a big drag in the snow!

Living in rural Iowa, I figure even 1" is a help. Heck, I drove my 84 Eagle through many unplowed roads when I lived up near Clear Lake/Mason City area. We'd get real snows up there. The one and only time I got that thing stopped was when I was messing around in the yard north of our big barn. The snow was deep, tall drifts. The wind and temperature changes had made a bit of a crust on the snow and I could drive over or through it fine with that car............. until I took a tall drift too slowly and went up on top of it.......... and felt this "uh-oh" feeling as the wheels settled in the snow and I was high-centered on the skid plates and floor pan. A shovel took care of that. Drove the car back out after 10-15 minutes clearing snow under it.
If that Eagle could do it, your Jeep can do it - with good tires rated for winter. That's why I put the General tires I have on mine (had them on the 2020 and moved them to the 2022 when I traded Gladiators). They are great in Iowa snows and not bad on ice. I can shove many hundreds of pounds of snow up our steep driveway without a lot of trouble.

The more I think about it - the more I wonder if your issue wouldn't be resolved with better tires and a slight lift of about 1". If I can shove a 72" path up our driveway, you should be able to drive through some crazy snows.

Talking about smacking snow - I've got enough low hanging stuff there in the winter, but it causes me no problems at all.

 

[ScoutVet19D]

You’re looking to add ground clearance with minimal lift and not add bigger tires. Both of those things together are whats going to improve that. Having lived in places where snowfall was measured in feet I can say tires play a huge role in how well your rig gets through.

With stock sport fenders and no lift you could get a set of used take off tires that are more aggressive tread in 33” or 285 metric which would give you 1” to over the stock tires (32” vs 33”). Add a budget 2” lift with those and your truck would have +3” of frame height and +1” on the differentials.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...hout-doing-a-lift-or-having-any-issues.39904/

Or buy a snow plow attachment.

 

[Dp7]

If it's just seasonal, perhaps something adjustable so you can return to normal-ish the rest of the year?

These say they'll give you between 1" to 3.5" in the front:
https://jksmfg.com/collections/glad...h-bump-stop-acos-wrangler-jl-and-gladiator-jt

Maybe some air helper springs for the back? Useful for hauling heavier loads too.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You’re looking to add ground clearance with minimal lift and not add bigger tires. Both of those things together are whats going to improve that. Having lived in places where snowfall was measured in feet I can say tires play a huge role in how well your rig gets through.

With stock sport fenders and no lift you could get a set of used take off tires that are more aggressive tread in 33” or 285 metric which would give you 1” to over the stock tires (32” vs 33”). Add a budget 2” lift with those and your truck would have +3” of frame height and +1” on the differentials.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...hout-doing-a-lift-or-having-any-issues.39904/

Or buy a snow plow attachment.

Going from a 32 to a 33, assuming exactly 32 and exactly 33" diameters, you get only 1/2 inch of lift from the tires........ not 1"
The difference is the diameter, meaning a 1" tire size difference lifts the vehicle 1/2 of that.

 

[DailyMoparGuy]

So my Overland looks goofy?

You’re not on those 32” sport tires though are you? I thought you had some 33s. Very little difference but I’m a bit of fender gap connoisseur. It’s subjective of course.

If I were OP, I’d go minimal lift and 33” ATs but he doesn’t seem to want bigger tires.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

You’re not on those 32” sport tires though are you? I thought you had some 33s. Very little difference but I’m a bit of fender gap connoisseur. It’s subjective of course.

If I were OP, I’d go minimal lift and 33” ATs but he doesn’t seem to want bigger tires.

Overland - the tire diameter is roughly the same as the stock Overland at 32.2", Rubicon stock Falkens are 32.8, so roughly a .6" diameter difference, or .3" - not really noticeable.
My tires are a bit wider - 11" compare to 11.3" for the "33" " Falkens on Rubicon.

Not sure about the Sport tires, I'd have to look, but bet they are called 32s and are probably more like 31.7 or so. Just a guess, of course.

 

[kevman65]

Without adding lift you can't attain ground clearance.

Ground clearance comes from taller tires. Lift allows you to add taller tires.

You need a snow plow.

 

[ScoutVet19D]

Going from a 32 to a 33, assuming exactly 32 and exactly 33" diameters, you get only 1/2 inch of lift from the tires........ not 1"
The difference is the diameter, meaning a 1" tire size difference lifts the vehicle 1/2 of that.

Stock sport s tires 245/75/17 or 31.5” aka 32” or 31” depending on who is arguing
Rubicon tires 285/75/17 or 33.8” aka 33”

So if we use math to understand this

33.8 - 31.5 =2.3
2.3 divided in half = 1.15
1.15 is the amount of distance measured in a line that the larger diameter go beyond the size of the smaller diameter.

On a vehicle with solid axles that measurement can be applied to the ground clearance height of the lowest part of the axle. This would mean in simple terms an increase of 1” would be gained. https://tiresize.com/comparison/



I really did not need an explanation

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Stock sport s tires 245/75/17 or 31.5” aka 32” or 31” depending on who is arguing
Rubicon tires 285/75/17 or 33.8” aka 33”

So if we use math to understand this

33.8 - 31.5 =2.3
2.3 divided in half = 1.15
1.15 is the amount of distance measured in a line that the larger diameter go beyond the size of the smaller diameter.

On a vehicle with solid axles that measurement can be applied to the ground clearance height of the lowest part of the axle. This would mean in simple terms an increase of 1” would be gained. https://tiresize.com/comparison/



I really did not need an explanation

The Falken Wild Peak tires I refer to are what came on JT Rubicon with stock A/T tires.
Falken Wildpeak A/T3W 285/70R17 = diameter 32.8", width of 11.3"
They are 285/70, not 285/75.
That's from my having owned them, and from Discount Tire and Tire Size dot com.

They are 32.8 and are thus called 33's
a 33.8 tire would be called a 34 in jeep terms.

If the stock sport tire is 31.5 and the stock Rubicon Falken is a 33, or 32.8, then there's 1.3" difference in diameter, or .65" difference, not even 3/4 of an inch.

I know the Falken WildPeak tire isn't over 33" as i ran them on my 2020 overland and the speedometer and odometer wasn't off very far at all. I barely noticed a difference in "get up and go".

I'm not new to this rodeo. (either as a 5 year, two jt owner, or a long-time mechanic, college math grad )

IF his Jeep is a Sport or Sport S without max tow, he's got a 3.73 ratio and that doesn't lend itself to big tire diameter changes. He says he has a "Sport", so that means he's got a 3.73 ratio, I'd not go over 33s maybe 34s tops, with that based on personal experience.

I'd still suggest tires rated good in snow - I chose Generals and they are great in our snows, snow pack, slush and slick roads, unplowed roads and so on. Synergy 2" springs up front (I'd give him my extra pair of Synergy 1" front springs) and a device like this red thing here, and he'd be all set.....

And I have to push it all UP-hill!
Note almost no signs of slippage in those tire tracks.

 

[hjdca]

I have an essentially stock 2021 Sport. I don't do serious off-roading. My main concern is getting down the driveway at the cabin after a big snow.

I often get bogged down as the snow packs under the frame.

What is the easiest way to add an inch or two without causing drivetrain issues? Not looking for bigger tires or any serious mods.

Thanks!

I would think the front diff. is the big snow catcher... Bigger tires or portals are the only way to address that.... I guess an independent front end would give you more clearance in the snow.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

At least the axle tubes can cut through the snow, with the snow going under and/or over the tubes. The center or differential section isn't that big a deal, IMO - it's the bigger flat areas under there. A skid plate will act like a wedge and prevent the differential from causing too much trouble, but you run into trouble on the sides of the vehicles. I almost got high-centered on a big pile of snow showing off to my wife - trying to drive partially over a huge snow mound snow plows left in a parking lot. The right frame rail was dragging badly. Luckily these have enough flex I continued over it but my wife wasn't thrilled.

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