Noob lift question

The JKU is an incredibly formidable offroad vehicle stock.

They run the Rubicon Trail stock.

Here's what you need to do.

Get a handheld UHF, air compressor, 2x 18mm crescent wrenches, zip ties, snatch strap, and 2 Tow Shackles.

Now find a local 4x4 club and go offroading.

You'll be surprised at how many things you can tackle stock.

The wrenches are for the sway bar, just remove the nut and bolt and zip tie the sway bar to the top of the frame.

Drop your tires down.

The snatch strap and shackles are for if you get stuck. The UHF is to communicate on the trail.

Bring water bottles and some chairs and food.

Find a local 4x4 club on facebook. You may even find a Jeep club as I did.

When you can't get past a certain obstacle, take the chicken track and remember for next time what you'll nwed to get past it.

Teraflex leveling kit with 33's. Even with 3:21 gears regearing is not a necessity. I would hold off on axel mods and major suspension changes until you want to go 35's or higher. Also your Jeep is fully capable off road as is. Take it out and see what immediate mods you think it needs. Only you really know how you want it to preform when your build is done.

32s will fit without a lift and with almost zero rubbing. Use the money you'd put int the spacers into A good engine skid plate and rock sliders.

When you disconnect the front sway bar (two 18mm bolts) you will see more flex than you would expect. Also, 17 inch rims will provide a wider range of tire options, help maintain good on road performance and allow a bit of space for you to do a brake upgrade later (though won't be necessary with 32s).

17s with 4.5 inches of backspace or less will fit 285/70/17 (~32.5 inches) just fine

Can't say it enough: ARMOR. Tires will get you over obstacles, armor will get you farther down any trail, without damage, than any other mod. Skid plate and sliders is pretty much all a jk wrangler needs

Almost everything you mentioned is unnecessary.

Trade your tires in for an all terrain (of the same size as current) of your choice. BFG makes decent ones, as does General Grabber, Procomp, or Michelin. Your call.

Go to and auto parts store of your choice and get a snatch strap. Those are the yellow ones with loops on the end. No metal hooks, those are tow straps. Snatch straps are elastic and will stretch and help pull you out. Tow straps are static and will break under excessive force and the metal hook can fly off and injured someone or damage something.

While you're there, get a basic tool kit. Make sure you have sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers. You can look up standard JK bolt sizes yourself, I'm sure.

Next, crack open your owners manual and read it. KNOW YOUR VEHICLE! Know it's max fording depth, it's approach and departure angles, it's breaker angle and gross load weight. How to properly engage 4 wheel drive and on what surfaces to engage it on.

Now get up under it and familiarize yourself with your Jeep's components. The driveline, the suspension, the power plant and it's ancillary equipment. Know where your evap canister is, and try not to bash it on a rock.

Now, use your Google fu and find a 4x4 club. Go wheel with them. Remember, you don't have to do every run they do. They might be tackling a 7 - 8 trail. Let them know your experience level and take it slow.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Anyone worth their salt will take the time to teach you what they know. Most guys love talking shop: that's why we're all here, afterall.

HAVE FUN!!

I've already done a fair but of 4WDing in my stock 2 door JK sport. They can handle almost anything!

Just have recovery equipment, a compressor of sorts and plenty of water :)

The main reason for the lift is to increase clearance to allow bigger tires. Most 32's will fit without rubbing on a stock JKU so you probably don't need a lift. Unless you plan to run 35's or add a bumper/winch which will compress your suspension, you can probably leave it stock.

In fact, thats what I advise everyone who buys a Wrangler for the first time. Don't make any serious mods before you have actually it taken off road a few times. Until you have done that, you really have no idea what actually needs an upgrade and what is just a massive wasted of money.

You don't 'need' anything special for offroading. Here's an old guy in Moab, Utah with a Crown Victoria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwPXEeJ3aI

32"s and lockers and swaybar disconnects and a lift or fender cutting is desirable, sure, but just go play. When you reach a limit, and you see other vehicles doing it, see what they have. Tires are going to be your first limitation, especially if you have some mostly-road all seasons on there. I stuffed 32" Goodyear Wrangler Authorities from Walmart under my Rubicon with a 2" lift with some front discos and the thing goes most anywhere.

So as everyone has said you do not need a lift to fit 33s, if you are looking for new tires I would call around to local jeep dealers and see if they have a set of take-offs from a Rubicon you could buy. We are lifting 4 Rubicons at my dealer and just told a set of take-offs to a guy for $500. I'm not saying every dealer does this but its worth a shot to save some coin and get a nice set of tires

you can fit 33" tall stock

you can fit 12.5" wide with wheel spacers or offset rims.

Body lifts should be the LAST thing you should consider when you are putting your first few inches on. Stick with a 2" budget spring spacer boost if you are on a budget. You can fit 35" tall with one. Still need spacers or off set to get to 12.5 wide though.

You don't need bump stops or gears if you are sticking to 33's or under.

Also, look at Bilstein 5100s if you want shocks. They wont make you higher, or give you more articulation, but you will see a lot better road manners and feel.

JK's come with 32" tires stock. pick up some new pull offs from craigslist from someone that lifted right off the showroom floor. I picked up a set of sahara rims and tires with TPMS with only 400 miles for $450.