Sport suspension questions

[jeepcritter]

Hello, I'm new here but I have been a Jeep guy since 08. I know a bit about TJ suspension, but I don't know anything on the new platforms. I'm considering buying a Gladiator Sport, and the only thing I plan to do is wheels and tires. If I want to run a 33x12.5, would I need a lift at all? From what I read, a 2 inch lift of some type is recommended for 35s. Also, will 15 inch rims fit on a Gladiator? And finally, if I did go with a 2 in. spacer lift, would new shocks be required/recommended? I've always ran a full suspension lift on my TJ, and don't know how spacers affect shocks. Thanks.

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[jeepcritter]

I guess no one knows.

 

[bastage]

No need for anything at all to run 33's. 35's there is some debate, but depending on wheel most say its fine if you remove the air dam that connects the bumper to the fenders (or trim it) without anything else as well.

 

[kelkolb]

Hello, I'm new here but I have been a Jeep guy since 08. I know a bit about TJ suspension, but I don't know anything on the new platforms. I'm considering buying a Gladiator Sport, and the only thing I plan to do is wheels and tires. If I want to run a 33x12.5, would I need a lift at all? From what I read, a 2 inch lift of some type is recommended for 35s. Also, will 15 inch rims fit on a Gladiator? And finally, if I did go with a 2 in. spacer lift, would new shocks be required/recommended? I've always ran a full suspension lift on my TJ, and don't know how spacers affect shocks. Thanks.

No problems with 33's at all. Even a 285/75-17 would be great.

15's will not fit. 17 is really the smallest you can run on these because of the size of the brakes.

Most 2" spacer lifts will come with shock extension brackets. Less than 2" likely won't require them. If that's all you want to do, I'd do a 1.5" leveling spacer in the front and then get some of the fox shocks off of a Rubicon with the new tires and you'll be set.

 

[jeepcritter]

No problems with 33's at all. Even a 285/75-17 would be great.

15's will not fit. 17 is really the smallest you can run on these because of the size of the brakes.

Most 2" spacer lifts will come with shock extension brackets. Less than 2" likely won't require them. If that's all you want to do, I'd do a 1.5" leveling spacer in the front and then get some of the fox shocks off of a Rubicon with the new tires and you'll be set.

Thanks! I might be leasing, so I don't want to modify a lot, and what I do, I want to be bolt-on so I can restore it if I turn it in. And thanks for the info on the rims...that was my fear. I run 15s all the time on my TJ but wasn't sure about the brakes on the JT. Are the rubicon fox shocks the same on the wrangler and gladiator?

 

[kelkolb]

Thanks! I might be leasing, so I don't want to modify a lot, and what I do, I want to be bolt-on so I can restore it if I turn it in. And thanks for the info on the rims...that was my fear. I run 15s all the time on my TJ but wasn't sure about the brakes on the JT. Are the rubicon fox shocks the same on the wrangler and gladiator?

No problem. I'm leasing as well but am 90% sure I'll buy it out. Only thing I've modified that can't easily be reversed is my JKS quicker disconnects. Had to cut one tab off the axle for those. The rest is easily reversed.

The Wrangler Rubicon's actually don't have fox shocks. They're just the red bodied OE shocks. The Gladiator has aluminum bodied fox shocks that are valved for the gladiator. Granted, they're not as large in diameter as the aftermarket fox shocks or the ones that come in the Mopar lift. I wouldn't run Wrangler shocks on these and they likely don't fit in the rears anyways since the rear is setup very different from a Wrangler.

 

[bastage]

If I was leasing & trying to keep things to a minimum I would add a front coil spacer & the Kenda 35x10.50r17's.. The narrowness of those tires will give them an extra inch or so of clearance when turning that you don't normally get with 35's. So with just the front end level it should have a nice appearance & the extra ground clearance without spending a fortune.

 

[jeepcritter]

If I was leasing & trying to keep things to a minimum I would add a front coil spacer & the Kenda 35x10.50r17's.. The narrowness of those tires will give them an extra inch or so of clearance when turning that you don't normally get with 35's. So with just the front end level it should have a nice appearance & the extra ground clearance without spending a fortune.

Thanks. To me that would look a bit too narrow for my taste. I'll have to take a look at some pics. If I could afford a Mojave, I don't think I'd change anything.

 

[bastage]

Thanks. To me that would look a bit too narrow for my taste. I'll have to take a look at some pics. If I could afford a Mojave, I don't think I'd change anything.

Still wider then stock. It looks pretty good though. There is a long thread about those tires with lots of pictures.

 

[jeepcritter]

Since I brought up Mojave, since it's lifted an inch and has 33s, can I assume a 35 would fit without any additional work/mods?

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