35"s rub--trouble shoot with me...

[Obsidian]

I have a 4" lift on my leaf sprung YJ, D44 rear, 4.88s, LS/Open. My flares are off. I started running 35x12.5 Cooper STTs on 15x8 3.75bsp rims about two weeks ago. My front rubs a little but I'm cutting to flat fenders in a couple days and in Dec we're building tube fenders... so now worries here. But...

I rubbed real bad in the rear, so I trimmed it in the back (anticipating the direction of arc from the axle). But it's by no means a comp cut. I'm STILL rubbing. I don't want to cut more in the back. I rub all the way to the top anyways. I'd have to cut a whole new wheel well practically.

Troubleshooting:
I noticed that I have only the top bump stops, the rubber ones bolted into the frame (front and rear). The metal bump stops that fit beneath the U bolts aren't there (duh!). If I put these on, I know I'll limit up travel, but will that also effect the drop on the opposite side? Am I compromising flex? Maybe I have to compromise flex at this stage...

Also, even though my front fenders will be cut enough to compensate these kick-arse 35 STTs, should I have the metal bump stops under the U bolts. Or is just having the rubber ones up front okay?

My hope is that tomorrow when I try the metal bump stops in the rear, I will no longer be rubbing. If I am, however, my next best guess is to get a 1 to 2" lift from new shackles... or maybe a 1" body lift? Any opinions on what would be better? (Keeping in mind that my end goal is SOA, but not until at least a year from now).

One other thing I thought about if I'm still rubbing in the rear is to weld extra metal onto the metal bump stops that fit beneath the U bolts--it just seems that over extended bump stops would suck. I could do this as a temporary fix to get thru the run I'm going on this weekend with 4x4HIM.org

Thanks fellaz
and, fyi, I'm really new to all of this; so the answer might be painfully obvious. If that's the case, then go ahead and laugh, but give me the solution, too! :D

[SteveT]

I have an 88 YJ with a 4" lift and 35 inch tires. I am running a hard top with a swing out tire carrier with a 35" tire and hi lift jack so I am pretty heavy in the rear. My rears were rubbing the bottom rear corners of the jeep body as well as wearing out my flares when running mountain goat trails up here in Prescott. Just yesterday I changed my rear shackles(Had some in the shop) to some 1 1/4 longer ones. Now I rub only when hard articulation takes place. I would say that it helped about 80% of my problem.
Steve T.

[lancetkenyon]

Just get extended bump stops. Call 4 Wheelers Supply. Ask for Mike or Cole

[Sedona Jeep School]

Both excellent suggestions, and easy to do.

My only concern was that your springs may be tired and that 4" lift is really only operating as 2" or 3". A girl could get into trouble making these sort of public statements ;):D, and I don't want to insult a guy, but the pics of your Jeep do not look like a 4" lift. Pictures don't usually do justice, I know, but just a thought.

[rubicontrail]

Your leaf springs are probably sagging.

You might want to consider some heavy duty ones and if you are carrying a spare on the rear, consider throwing some bigger shackles on the back to prevent that front end pointed toward the sky look.

[Obsidian]

Thanks guys. I called 4wheel parts a couple days ago. Apparently they're aren't any longer bump stops than the ones I'm running. The metal ones that go beneath the Ubolts are 4 inches, so that should do a lot once I install them. If they don't solve the issue, then I will get shackles that add 2" of lift in the rear. I won't bother with the front shackles. The front is good. I think I'll hold off on putting the metal bumps in the front too. There's only 6" of up travel as it is.

Also, this is a Rough Country lift--very, very stiff. I hate it. I'm not sagging in the rear. I bought the Jeep with this lift, so I'm not sure if it actually delivered the 4" or not. The engine is light too--a 4cyl. The picture is old, those are 33s and the flares are still on; but the suspension hasn't changed. How could I determine my lift above factory?

No one said anything about a 1" body lift, so I'm assuming that the rear shackle will be the best solution if the the added metal bump stops don't do the trick.

SOA, Old man emu, longer shocks, high steer...ahh... someday....

[lancetkenyon]

Thanks guys. I called 4wheel parts a couple days ago. Apparently they're aren't any longer bump stops than the ones I'm running. The metal ones that go beneath the Ubolts are 4 inches, so that should do a lot once I install them. If they don't solve the issue, then I will get shackles that add 2" of lift in the rear. I won't bother with the front shackles. The front is good. I think I'll hold off on putting the metal bumps in the front too. There's only 6" of up travel as it is.

Also, this is a Rough Country lift--very, very stiff. I hate it. I'm not sagging in the rear. I bought the Jeep with this lift, so I'm not sure if it actually delivered the 4" or not. The engine is light too--a 4cyl. The picture is old, those are 33s and the flares are still on; but the suspension hasn't changed. How could I determine my lift above factory?

No one said anything about a 1" body lift, so I'm assuming that the rear shackle will be the best solution if the the added metal bump stops don't do the trick.

SOA, Old man emu, longer shocks, high steer...ahh... someday....

There is your mistake....call 4 Wheelers Supply!

[SHNIPE]

HERE THIS WILL HELP!!!
In Arizona: 602-273-7195
Toll Free: 1-800-606-6421
3530 E. Washington Phoenix Az

[Obsidian]

You know... the first time I went to 4 Wheelers they were really nice. I knew NOTHING about Jeeps, vehicles period for that matter. I wanted to soften my ride. I wasn't told that my springs were stiff or to air down my tires that were aired up to 50psi!!!! Instead I was told to take off the bump stops and loosen the shackles. Then I bought a center console for $20 more than what I could have gotten it for through 4 Wheel parts. Nothing against them, they were friendly. And probably everyone there knows tens times more than I do about Jeeps and wheeling except that one guy. But I've grown some loyalty to 4 Wheel parts FOR PARTS--just a 1st phone call to them, that's all. I still shop around. DesFab has also proven to be a lot of help and very knowledgeable, DF is the place I go for WORK to be done on my rig. This doesnt' mean you won't see me at 4 Wheelers someday, but now you know why I called 4 Wheel parts first.

[Wzzl13]

I'm runnin' a 4" on my '94 with a 2" body lift, aswell.. My 33" also rub in rear but only the flare. My lift has been on there at LEAST 10 years. So, it does sound like springs are sagging. Re-arch or add a 1-2" body lift. I am not runnin' my rear track bar though. I'm not worried until it hits tub then might want to "upgrade" my springs...

[Jeepnut]

2 words.

TJ Flares.

(well...okay...two initials and one word)

[Obsidian]

I have no flares. I was rubbing frame. I added the metal bump stops onto the axle and I'm good to go now. Note: I had already cut some of the fender, too. The 35's are perfect now. I rub a little in the front, but those fenders are getting cut to flat-fenders and soon we're fabn' some tube fenders. Yay, 35's on a 4" leaf lift is going to work just fine.