Picked up a FZJ80 for the family as our "daily" driver. Want to keep some semblance of gas mileage while balancing offroad ability, and road manners. Also need to be able to do some light towing (2-3k lbs at most). We live in an area with plenty of hills, so not sure how far we can stretch the stock gearing.
Currently, she seems to sag a bit not even loaded. Has a trailer hitch that snags easily. She's on 245/75R16s, so I think smaller than stock tires.
I'm wondering if we should do stock height or a 2" lift. Would like to get front and maybe rear bumpers, possibly ARB. This won't be an expedition rig, but I want it to be decently capable as well. Sort of a balanced approach, I guess. I don't think we're going to be doing Moab any time soon.
How big of tires can I go on the stock gearing, or without breaking birfields and such? I think the biggest I'd want to do is 33", *maybe* 35" and nothing crazy wide. We have lots of snow driving to do here, though will probably give her dedicated winter tires either way.
I guess I'm imagining a 2" lift (if needed, or maybe keep stock), 32" or 33" tires, bumpers (ideally rear bumper with integrated hitch that's higher up), maybe rock sliders, and hoping to keep stock gearing. But my gut tells me that with 33" tires, it's going to be undergeared on the hills. Even with the 245/75R16s, 4low in first gear felt a bit tall. Not sure what to do about that, nor how hard it is to regear.
The most urgent thing is tires, so wanting to figure that out first and maybe base other decisions off of that.
Thank you!
Currently, she seems to sag a bit not even loaded. Has a trailer hitch that snags easily. She's on 245/75R16s, so I think smaller than stock tires.
I'm wondering if we should do stock height or a 2" lift. Would like to get front and maybe rear bumpers, possibly ARB. This won't be an expedition rig, but I want it to be decently capable as well. Sort of a balanced approach, I guess. I don't think we're going to be doing Moab any time soon.
How big of tires can I go on the stock gearing, or without breaking birfields and such? I think the biggest I'd want to do is 33", *maybe* 35" and nothing crazy wide. We have lots of snow driving to do here, though will probably give her dedicated winter tires either way.
I guess I'm imagining a 2" lift (if needed, or maybe keep stock), 32" or 33" tires, bumpers (ideally rear bumper with integrated hitch that's higher up), maybe rock sliders, and hoping to keep stock gearing. But my gut tells me that with 33" tires, it's going to be undergeared on the hills. Even with the 245/75R16s, 4low in first gear felt a bit tall. Not sure what to do about that, nor how hard it is to regear.
The most urgent thing is tires, so wanting to figure that out first and maybe base other decisions off of that.
Thank you!