Rubicon Unlimited lift with 35" tires

I am looking at buying the Rubicon Unlimited and need some advice on how big of tires that I can go and keep it safe as a daily driver. My buddy has a wrangler v6 5 speed wiht a skyjacker lifer and 33x12.50 BFG MT and I like it alot. I have driven it on the trails as well on the highway and it is what I would expect for a lifted jeep. The Unlimited has a longer wheel base and the Rubicon provides some beefier components like the axles as well as 4 wheel disc brakes and 4:10 gears. I will be getting the manual transmission. So far I like the Rubicon Express 5.5" long arm kit. Can I go to 35" tires and still keep it safe as a daily driver? Will the 35" tires with 4:10 gears on a Rubicon perform like my buddies 33" with 3:73 gears if both are v6 standards? Will the 4 wheel disc brakes on the Rubicon be enough of a brake upgrade to handle the 35's? You guys are a wealth of knowledge and I am hoping you can be my reality check. I don;t want to create a safety hazard as this is my daily driver on the freeways as well as weekend cruiser. I have waited many years to get this jeep and do it up right and plan on keeping it for probably 10 years as a daily driver. On that note with proper maintinence should I be able to get 200,000 miles out of a jeep?

Thanks,
Todd

I'm sure you know that any time you raise the center of gravity on a vehicle, the stability is reduced. It will be more prone to roll over in a rapid on road evasive manouver at speed. For me, that would make it a less desireable daily driver.

Also the big tires will reduce your braking capabilities on the road- no matter what equipment you start out with. Again - not a plus for a daily driver. Up grading the pads after you get it might help some but if you are off roading, slotted and drillled rotors are not a good idea and pads that require heat to completely activate the friction characteristics won't hold as well in some off road situations either.

Every thing is a compromise and I guess it all depends what comprimises you can live with in a daily driver and what you want to do off road.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade (even tho I might actually be doing that) but you asked for a reality check..... I like the lifts and tires as well as any one but I can't afford the limited use I would make of it right now. Your situation and use patterns are going to be different.

The 35" tires and the 4.10 gears sound like a good compromise for street - just watch the radar unless you get the speedo corrected.

So far as the 200K miles goes, there are lots of jeeps around with more miles than that.

just my :2cents: :2cents: and I would love to have a Rubicon Unlimited too.......

JD

I have an '02 Wrangler X (I6, 5spd) with a 3'' suspension lift and 33'' x 12.5'' tires. All the gearing is stock. It pulls hard on the road... Unfortunately, the tires have compromised the stopping distance, and the lifted center of gravity makes the car feel a little unstable when turning a little fast or going over 70 - 75mph. ...I honestly think that I have the best possible compromise between a daily driver and an off-road machine. Keep in mind that these are Wranglers... you already have an advantage off-road. With a mild lift, some wide 33's with tires designed for your specific use, a limited slip or air locker, and some experience... you're set! (I'm still working on the experience part... until then, I need a winch for sure. :lol:) My setup seems stable enough for an emergency lane change, too. Of course, this is all just my oppinion though. PM me if you want any specifics on my setup.