Christian Lee
Contributor
33 Rule On JKs
With the 2007-to-2014 model JK Wranglers is it safe to jump up to the 35-inch tire size if you have the Wrangler Sport with the Dana 30 front housing? I see many Wrangler Sports running 35-inch tires with the Dana 30 and most all the Jeep Dealers in the Denver area lift and install 35s on the JKs prior to sale. The rule was to stay with 33-inch tires with Dana 30s on the TJ, so what changed on the JK? Are the JK axle housings stronger? What’s the largest tire you would run on your JK with a Dana 30 front end? I like moderate 4-wheeling like Red Cone, Imogene Pass, and Fins & Things. Great mag, keep up the good work.
Brian Wuebker
Thornton, Colorado
Brian, there is no definitive rule of thumb when it comes to running 35-inch tires under a JK with a Dana 30 front axle. Yes, you may twist your axle housing or explode the carrier running 35s, but you could do just the same running 33s. We saw it with the TJ and we continue to see it with the JK Dana 44, which has a weak front housing prone to twisting and cracking. If you elect to run 35s with a Dana 30 front axle, your best bet is to take steps to fortify the front axle housing using any of the widely offered axle housing strengthening kits, which typically include gussets for the knuckles and sleeves for the tubes. Dana 30 (and 44) JK frontends will also benefit greatly from the installation of HD ball joints, axle shafts, and extra housing reinforcement, such as a truss. ’Wheel on.
Best Spring Spacers?
I have a 2013 Ram 1500 4x4 Quad Cab and want to do a mild lift. Would spring spacers be an acceptable lift. Also, should I go steel, aluminum, or rubber? Thanks for any info.
Phillip Branscum
Newark, Arizona
Phillip, spring spacers are an easy and economical way to lift your truck. Many owners use them as a entry-level lift to fit slightly larger tires using otherwise factory suspension components. Which material spring spacer to go with is an often discussed and rarely agreed upon forum topic among truck and SUV owners. It essentially comes down to owner’s choice. Since you asked for a recommendation, though, here’s ours: go polyurethane. About the only disadvantage to polyurethane is it will wear down and possibly begin to sag after some time, but we’re talking many years, not months. Rubber spacers have similar advantages to polyurethane -- no metal-to-metal contact and ability to absorb shock -- but degrade much more rapidly. Actual height gained also may be slightly less than indicated when using rubber spacers since they can be compressed. Steel spring spacers are the most durable and also the most economical and easiest to install for most applications. Aluminum is also a lightweight and strong material for spacers. The only drawback to steel and aluminum is some users have reported they make noise after awhile due to the metal-to-metal contact with the coil spring. Regardless of the type of material of the spring spacer you use, we suggest you accompany it with a set of shocks tuned to your vehicle application for best results. Thanks for writing.
Questions?
Send questions, comments, and suggestions to: 4Wheel Drive & SPORT UTILITY MAGAZINE,
Attn: Christian Lee, 1733 Alton Parkway, Ste. 100, Irvine, CA 92606, or christian.lee@sorc.com.
