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Help - I need more lift and bigger tires, but what?

20870 Views 20 Replies 13 Participants Last post by  Grundo
2015 Ranger Crew - I clipped a rock and bent my LH control arm. Where I ride there are rocks everywhere, so I knew it was only a matter of time. I am currently running the backwoods armor adjustable 2–4 inch lift set at 4 inches and 27 inch tires. After installing the lift two months ago I was immediately disappointed at the overall height gain and how small the tires still look compared to such a big machine. These disappointments are expensive and I don't want to be disappointed again.

I called backwoods armor and they said I can install the 8 inch lift with arched a arms which is actually 6 inch a arms combined with the adjustable 2-4 inch lift giving you a lift range of 8 inches up to 10 inches of lift. She said the guys typically run 32 inch or 34 inch tires and suggested I look at the pics on their Facebook page. I looked at the pics and that is way more lift than what I want. I want my machine to look proportionate...somewhere between a mail truck and a mud bogger. I don't want to destroy my new machine and an 8 inch lift seems like too much.

So now what? Why does the 4 inch lift seem like nothing and the 8 inch lift is so huge it seems ridiculous?

Backwoods armor also sells a 3 inch lift with arched a arms and I can add the 6+ rhino axles and beefed up tierod ends. I can keep the adjustable 2 to 4 inch lift giving me a lift range of 5 to 7 inches of total lift. I'm thinking 6 inches of combined lift with 31 inch tires would accomplish the proportionate look I'm going for. From what I read On other posts I'll need a clutch kit as well, but which one? Will I need anything else?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I want to build a solid machine that runs on tires and lift proportionate to the size of the ranger crew and minimize costly mistakes along the way.
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Arched and forward A-arms with a 2" lift and 30" to 31" tires would be my choice.
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Arched and forward A-arms with a 2" lift and 30" to 31" tires would be my choice.
Agreed, that's what I ran for awhile and it's fine. Also, just because you add a lift and stick with stock tires doesn't mean your going to get a huge increase in ground clearance. You could probably stay with the lift you're running and go to 30's but you'd have to ask John if there'd be any clearance issues in front. No sense in buying another lift if it's just the tires you need.

Just re-read your post...if you've bent an arm and have to replace it, probably best to just go with that forward arm kit then.
For 27" tires you didn't need any lift, so they probably did look a little small with a 4" lift. With no lift and just forward a arms you should be able to run 29.5' with no problem. This is all with your shocks in the outer position which gives you close to an inch of lift on it's on. Starting with just forward a arms and no lift, it's then a lift/ larger tire combination that gets you the most ground clearance for the buck. Keep in mind some tire diameters aren't really what they say they are, but you should get around 1/2" ground clearance for every extra inch of tire size. With all that said, Jerry's recommendation of forward arched a arms, 2" lift, and 30" tires would be my choice for most ground clearance and reliability.
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Here is is my setup too give you an idea of what it looks like. I know you have a crew but you should be able to visualize.
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Hey man, click on my profile and check out my photos. It may be what your looking for. The 1.5" wheel spacers changed the total look of the sxs. It looked top heavy w/o them, made it more stable too!
I have backwoods arched and 2-4 adj lift set at 3 in front and 2 in rear w 31 buckshots. I think mine is plenty big enough.
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Here is is my setup too give you an idea of what it looks like. I know you have a crew but you should be able to visualize.
mine will look like this soon, tires will be here monday!
Forward arched a-arms ans some 30' tires with a two inch lift. I think i'm going to add the two inch lift, i'm just not sure which one?
JS,

You could also look at the 5" lifts from CATVOS or S3. I have the 5" CATVOS with 30" tires. I added 2" spacers all around to widen things out a bit. I feel comfortable driving over pretty much anything around central/west Texas. I plan on adding a Duraclutch (after tax time) to even out the ride. I've been pretty happy so far.

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from what I've seen - the 5" catvos is way bigger than the s3 5" lift - with my 5" catvos and 34s i have about 24" at the front and 22-23" at the back. Rides excellent as well.
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Here is is my setup too give you an idea of what it looks like. I know you have a crew but you should be able to visualize.
What axles are you running? Looks sweet.
JS,

You could also look at the 5" lifts from CATVOS or S3. I have the 5" CATVOS with 30" tires. I added 2" spacers all around to widen things out a bit. I feel comfortable driving over pretty much anything around central/west Texas. I plan on adding a Duraclutch (after tax time) to even out the ride. I've been pretty happy so far.

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Whats the chances you know the height to the top of your roof? Wondering if I do this if it will clear my garage? What axles?
Whats the chances you know the height to the top of your roof? Wondering if I do this if it will clear my garage? What axles?
I just measured and the roof is 83" at its highest point. The front led sits a little higher than that, but I have no problems getting in my garage (8ft doors).
Thanks for all the input. I decided on the BA 3" lift in addition to the adjustable lift already installed. I also ordered Rhino axles, billet tie rods and steering stops. As for new shoes, I went with 32" Outback Max tires on 17" STI HD4 wheels.

Wheels and tires arrived Friday, parts from BA will be here on Tuesday. I cain't wait to put it all together.

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That thing is going to look great. I really like that color and those wheel will look good on it.
I'm not a big fan of tires that large simply because they are HARD on the drivetrain, but that's gonna look SWEET!:cool:
Might as well get you one of them Duraclutches everyone is raving about for that bad boy while your at it.
JS, that's going to be pretty awesome! By the way, are you still liking the Dragon Fire doors?
DF doors are awesome. Well built and I really like the slam latches.

Next week I need to figure out clutch and exhaust. Expat, I've been reading a lot of reviews on clutches. QSC VS Duraclutch, still not sure which way to go. As for exhaust, I like Gibson but have not seen their exhaust for the 2015 900 crew.
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