What First: 37s or Lift?

[RI_mojave11]

Trying to figure out what to do first between AEV 2” lift and tires (probably BFG KO2 37s). Currently have stock set up with ARE cap and a cargoglide. Truck is daily commuter and will see some off-road, primarily beach but some woods as well. Nothing like my old JKU as the days and stress of beating my daily up are behind me (I hope). Will also be used my ski rig so hopefully some heavy snow in the northeast & ~5 hour road trips.

At this point I've accepted both are inevitable after telling myself I'd keep this one stock. Figure with load range C BFGs and stock or close to stock weight wheels I can manage unsprung weight to limit stress on components and with smaller 37s not immediately feel the need for a regear on road trips (ran 35s on 3.21s for a while so I have a pretty high tolerance for slug) However, with the cap, cargoglide and beach driving I feel like going AEV lift first might make more sense. I don't think it'd look too ridiculous with the 33s and wouldn't lose cruising at 75-80mph on the highway.

Moral of the story I've been going back and forth for months and I just need a push in one direction or the other. Like I said, pretty much both are inevitable it's just a matter of where to splurge first with probably some delay between the first purchase and second.

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[BigLizzard]

Lift first. You'll likely run into clearance issues even city driving. I put Patagonia 37s on the day before I did my lift and it collided with my bumper coming out of Tim Hortons. The bumper was aftermarket but I think the point is valid.

 

[6006spd]

Trying to figure out what to do first between AEV 2” lift and tires (probably BFG KO2 37s). Currently have stock set up with ARE cap and a cargoglide. Truck is daily commuter and will see some off-road, primarily beach but some woods as well. Nothing like my old JKU as the days and stress of beating my daily up are behind me (I hope). Will also be used my ski rig so hopefully some heavy snow in the northeast & ~5 hour road trips.

At this point I've accepted both are inevitable after telling myself I'd keep this one stock. Figure with load range C BFGs and stock or close to stock weight wheels I can manage unsprung weight to limit stress on components and with smaller 37s not immediately feel the need for a regear on road trips (ran 35s on 3.21s for a while so I have a pretty high tolerance for slug) However, with the cap, cargoglide and beach driving I feel like going AEV lift first might make more sense. I don't think it'd look too ridiculous with the 33s and wouldn't lose cruising at 75-80mph on the highway.

Moral of the story I've been going back and forth for months and I just need a push in one direction or the other. Like I said, pretty much both are inevitable it's just a matter of where to splurge first with probably some delay between the first purchase and second.

Trying to figure out what to do first between AEV 2” lift and tires (probably BFG KO2 37s). Currently have stock set up with ARE cap and a cargoglide. Truck is daily commuter and will see some off-road, primarily beach but some woods as well. Nothing like my old JKU as the days and stress of beating my daily up are behind me (I hope). Will also be used my ski rig so hopefully some heavy snow in the northeast & ~5 hour road trips.

At this point I've accepted both are inevitable after telling myself I'd keep this one stock. Figure with load range C BFGs and stock or close to stock weight wheels I can manage unsprung weight to limit stress on components and with smaller 37s not immediately feel the need for a regear on road trips (ran 35s on 3.21s for a while so I have a pretty high tolerance for slug) However, with the cap, cargoglide and beach driving I feel like going AEV lift first might make more sense. I don't think it'd look too ridiculous with the 33s and wouldn't lose cruising at 75-80mph on the highway.

Moral of the story I've been going back and forth for months and I just need a push in one direction or the other. Like I said, pretty much both are inevitable it's just a matter of where to splurge first with probably some delay between the first purchase and second.

 

[6006spd]

I’d do lift first as well then pick wheels and tires to fit, I run my stock 33 in the winter time with Aev lift yea there is a pretty good gap but all good

 

[Zachanadandy]

Trying to figure out what to do first between AEV 2” lift and tires (probably BFG KO2 37s). Currently have stock set up with ARE cap and a cargoglide. Truck is daily commuter and will see some off-road, primarily beach but some woods as well. Nothing like my old JKU as the days and stress of beating my daily up are behind me (I hope). Will also be used my ski rig so hopefully some heavy snow in the northeast & ~5 hour road trips.

At this point I've accepted both are inevitable after telling myself I'd keep this one stock. Figure with load range C BFGs and stock or close to stock weight wheels I can manage unsprung weight to limit stress on components and with smaller 37s not immediately feel the need for a regear on road trips (ran 35s on 3.21s for a while so I have a pretty high tolerance for slug) However, with the cap, cargoglide and beach driving I feel like going AEV lift first might make more sense. I don't think it'd look too ridiculous with the 33s and wouldn't lose cruising at 75-80mph on the highway.

Moral of the story I've been going back and forth for months and I just need a push in one direction or the other. Like I said, pretty much both are inevitable it's just a matter of where to splurge first with probably some delay between the first purchase and second.

You won't lose the ability to cruise 80mph even with the 4.10s and 37s. 37s went on yesterday and even though I haven't recalibrated yet it cruises along at 85mph according to the GPS at 2100 rpms in 8th gear. I'd say tires 1st as it makes the biggest difference in looks and function but I did both at the same time. Very happy with the AEV 2" kit and 37s although the procal needing a wiring harness is lame.

 

[Kajo]

A leveling kit up front and 37"s is my suggestion. I have been running 37" C rated KO2's on stock rims and 4.10 gears for 2 years and 26K miles. I started with just a 1.5" leveling kit up front for the first year and than added a 3/4" rear spacer. I said I would install a slightly larger lift and re-gear eventually but things have been going well so far and I have wheeled a decent amount of trails as is.

 

[5adventurers]

You won't lose the ability to cruise 80mph even with the 4.10s and 37s. 37s went on yesterday and even though I haven't recalibrated yet it cruises along at 85mph according to the GPS at 2100 rpms in 8th gear. I'd say tires 1st as it makes the biggest difference in looks and function but I did both at the same time. Very happy with the AEV 2" kit and 37s although the procal needing a wiring harness is lame.

The procal wiring harness is a pain for sure. Thank goodness for "YouTube university online for kids who want to read and know how to do other stuff good to"

Kind of an understated part of install
I did it with the dualsport and 37s, but the pro cal is the same, I even called AEV about programming. Which, in fairness they were very helpful.

Ride looks nice!

 

[5adventurers]

A leveling kit up front and 37"s is my suggestion. I have been running 37" C rated KO2's on stock rims and 4.10 gears for 2 years and 26K miles. I started with just a 1.5" leveling kit up front for the first year and than added a 3/4" rear spacer. I said I would install a slightly larger lift and re-gear eventually but things have been going well so far and I have wheeled a decent amount of trails as is.

Thanks for making me look at those KO2s back in May, finally got it all done this week.

 

[Minty JL]

Yeah I had my 37x13.5 on Methods about 3 weeks before my AEV lift

 

[Zachanadandy]

The procal wiring harness is a pain for sure. Thank goodness for "YouTube university online for kids who want to read and know how to do other stuff good to"

Kind of an understated part of install
I did it with the dualsport and 37s, but the pro cal is the same, I even called AEV about programming. Which, in fairness they were very helpful.

Ride looks nice!

It's bizarre that tazer, jscan, etc can do the same thing without it. If they didn't include it with their lifts, I don't think anyone would choose or recommend it over the tazer.

 

[NotSo Bright White]

I went with the 2 inch Mopar lift first while I waited for my 37 BFG’s. It looked a little strange lifted with the 33’s but it was only a week or two. But the damn mod inch kept getting worse and after a Harker Outdoor shell and gear, now thinking about the AEV dual sport HD lift. Ok, not thinking about but saving up for.

Unless you are rock crawling with big flex, I don’t think it matters which comes first. Almost the chicken vs the egg argument.

 

[Len]

Trying to figure out what to do first between AEV 2” lift and tires (probably BFG KO2 37s). Currently have stock set up with ARE cap and a cargoglide. Truck is daily commuter and will see some off-road, primarily beach but some woods as well. Nothing like my old JKU as the days and stress of beating my daily up are behind me (I hope). Will also be used my ski rig so hopefully some heavy snow in the northeast & ~5 hour road trips.

At this point I've accepted both are inevitable after telling myself I'd keep this one stock. Figure with load range C BFGs and stock or close to stock weight wheels I can manage unsprung weight to limit stress on components and with smaller 37s not immediately feel the need for a regear on road trips (ran 35s on 3.21s for a while so I have a pretty high tolerance for slug) However, with the cap, cargoglide and beach driving I feel like going AEV lift first might make more sense. I don't think it'd look too ridiculous with the 33s and wouldn't lose cruising at 75-80mph on the highway.

Moral of the story I've been going back and forth for months and I just need a push in one direction or the other. Like I said, pretty much both are inevitable it's just a matter of where to splurge first with probably some delay between the first purchase and second.

I just put 37” MT Baja Boss on my JTR and no issues running stock suspension. No rubbing. I went with tires first because like you I wasn’t sure about lift yet. I am torn between Clayton 2.5” and 3.5” lift kits. Now that I put 37” tires on and I can see what that looks like with my set up I’ve made the decision that 2.5” lift maybe the best choice for me. My tires gave my almost 2” of lift alone.

 

[5adventurers]

I just put 37” MT Baja Boss on my JTR and no issues running stock suspension. No rubbing. I went with tires first because like you I wasn’t sure about lift yet. I am torn between Clayton 2.5” and 3.5” lift kits. Now that I put 37” tires on and I can see what that looks like with my set up I’ve made the decision that 2.5” lift maybe the best choice for me. My tires gave my almost 2” of lift alone.

The 2.5 vs 3.5 is a real stickler. But...the thing that made it easy was further modifications when lifting past 3 inches with driveshafts etc. I stick with 2.5 AEV dualsport and did add a 1/2 spacer in front due to winch going on....but it's plenty high and clears nicely. I think if I went 3.5 with the 37s it would actually start to look goofy. Maybe

 

[KevinC]

37x12.50x17 BFG KO2 on stock Wheels. 2023 Mojave. No lift.

I put one washer in the steering stop both sides
I trimmed a little from the inner fender liner
I flexed it as much as I possibly could off road and have zero rubbing or other issues.
I maintained a low center of gravity, which should be the ultimate goal for everyone that off roads. Only lift a vehicle as necessary to clear your tires.

KevinC

 

[Len]

The 2.5 vs 3.5 is a real stickler. But...the thing that made it easy was further modifications when lifting past 3 inches with driveshafts etc. I stick with 2.5 AEV dualsport and did add a 1/2 spacer in front due to winch going on....but it's plenty high and clears nicely. I think if I went 3.5 with the 37s it would actually start to look goofy. Maybe

That’s why I’m now leaning heavily towards the 2.5” Clayton lift. I really don’t want to go down that rabbit hole of even more mods bc I have to due to left size. I am of the mindset of building to my needs and not wants. I only need a 2.5”
For what I do. I have seen Glads with 3.5” and even 4” lifts with 37” tires and it’s okay, but like you, I don’t think it fits my tast personally.

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