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Ground clearance

Discussion in 'Wrangler JK (2007-2017)' started by jeepavalanche, Dec 4, 2020.

  1. Dec 4, 2020 at 4:54 AM
    #1
    jeepavalanche

    jeepavalanche [OP] Well-Known Member

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    When I think of a stock Jeep what I see is a vehicle that would be best suited lifted 3-4 inches, and bigger tires for clearance. Our axles can handle 37's with snow/sand and that sort of offroading. Once you get to rocks and hardcore stuff, those axles won't cut it (long term anyways). So. when you get those big tires, we need bigger axles. Well, when you get those bigger axles you lose some of your ground clearance again (at least at the differential), it makes me wonder where to stop. I can say, having been on rock trails, you need clearance and strong axles. I wonder how much more clearance (at the differential) you get from 40's on big axles compared to 37's on stock danas?
     
  2. Dec 4, 2020 at 9:01 AM
    #2
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    A winch, good skids and rock rails can make up for the lack of overall ground clearance.
    Like you said differential ground clearance is purely dictated by axle and tire size so there is something to be said for a spotter and knowing where to place your tires.
     
    jeepavalanche[OP], aggrex and Bob like this.
  3. Dec 4, 2020 at 8:38 PM
    #3
    jeepavalanche

    jeepavalanche [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've always thought you drive your tire over the tallest objects (probably not great for shocks/springs), but damn sure good for axle protection. A lot of people want to drive over the lowest areas, but an axle cost more than s/s's.
     
  4. Dec 4, 2020 at 9:28 PM
    #4
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    Each situation could use a different approach. What goes up must come down...lol
     
    LYFZGOOD likes this.
  5. Dec 6, 2020 at 9:48 AM
    #5
    jeepavalanche

    jeepavalanche [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Lol, thats exactly right!!
     
  6. Dec 7, 2020 at 3:34 AM
    #6
    gibbster

    gibbster Active Member

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    Rancho 2” lift? Yokohama geolander 295/70r17 MT tires.
    A5E06152-2CC3-457C-8E7C-E22350DB2EDE.jpg Rear gear for larger tires accordingly and the dana 44 will run some 44” tires. Like my 2016 jk with 33” tires on it now will be getting 426 gears to take the load off transmission and back to gearing. And then you will have more actual ground clearance.
     
    aggrex and jeepavalanche[OP] like this.
  7. Dec 7, 2020 at 3:41 AM
    #7
    gibbster

    gibbster Active Member

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  8. Dec 7, 2020 at 7:11 AM
    #8
    jeepavalanche

    jeepavalanche [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I currently have 3 inch lift with 37's. Just not sure if having a bigger axle and bigger tire (40's) will give much ground clearance, at the axle.
     
  9. Dec 7, 2020 at 10:58 AM
    #9
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Larger tires will provide more axle clearance and could make your off-road trek less eventful.
     
    Justanotherjeeper likes this.
  10. Dec 7, 2020 at 11:11 AM
    #10
    jeepavalanche

    jeepavalanche [OP] Well-Known Member

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    A larger tire on the same axle then yes. That's why I have 37's on stock. The point I was making in the initial post was that Im not sure that upgrading from 37's to 40's would make a big difference when you're having to get a bigger axle to fit it. The axle and the differential will be bigger offsetting the larger tire. Overall your body will be further from the ground, but that big damn differential will be lower to the ground. That's why Im maxed out at my stock axle with 37's. Not sure spending a lot of dough on bigger axles will benefit ground clearance that much (at the differential).
     
    aggrex[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Dec 7, 2020 at 7:03 PM
    #11
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Some may argue diminishing returns or the law of diminishing returns when you look at the cost to upgrade to larger stronger axles that will tolerate a bigger strike which is not the way many rock crawlers that give a darn for their jeeps may crawl. Your successful off-road treks on 37s makes it tough to go down a size.
     

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