I was planning on going 33's with a 3" lift, but I am thinking that I might immediately wish i went 35's... So I am hoping to hear from guys with 3"-35" setup... I know lots of trimming, bumpstops, and gears... I am thinking of locking both and 4.56's... I have a d30/8.25 1994 country... not a DD, and mostly mud... I have read the lowcog thread, but looking for specific recommendations or issues that yall have with this setup... I would love to get some ones specific rig setup and how they like it....

Thanks in advance!!

 

If you're locking both ends be aware that in '94 the D30 ran the shafts with the smaller (260?) u-joints, and the 8.25 was the 27 spline, not 29. Both would be weak points with lockers and 35".

 

You will need a lot of trimming. And if you Care about your fenders at all, bump stop extensions. Its possible but like said. You may need an axle upgrade too

 

Just a couple of things on a 3" I also ran 33" with trimming and had a set of 35's on it once but never drove it couldn't they belonged to a friend off his XJ. So I held off for almost 2 yrs getting parts together for a 4 1/2" lift using the leafs and coils I had adj coil spacer. The total cost of the 1 1/2"'s of lift with all else done correctly ran me well over $4.5k you know the drill on the parts and on 35" tires. I'm locked in both ends Detroit's and 4.56 gears and if you still have the stock 8.25 you need to swap it out for a 29 spline setup for starters. 35's place a lot of stress on numerous items in drivetrain and steering keep that in mind. I'm still running stock axle's in both of mine but carry spares so far unused.


In mud you will do a lot of dragging at only 3" of lift. I run two set of rims one that can be driven on the street as well as off road and my 35's on Beadlocks for off road only (trailered). There have been several members who have done 3" with 35's but haven't seen any posts lately that I remember, hope one can see this and give more info for you.

 

Both good points. You'll definitely want to upgrade those.

At 3" and 35s you can't be scared of massaging some sheet metal. In the rear you'll probably have to cut the pinch weld and weld it back together to get the clearance required.

You might be making it harder on yourself if this is a mostly mud machine. 4.5" and 35s would be easier to accomplish and wouldn't have many negative effects over 3" for mud. The LCOG is mostly beneficial on off camber situations.

You'll have so little up travel with this setup that you'll need your suspension to be tuned well for down travel.

 

Thank you guys... I am hoping to keep my stock axles by being easy on the skinny... Just thinking that since I have had 35's before on another vehicle, that I wont be happy with 33's... I know that I need to regear either way, so might as well lock it then as well... I know that 35's are the max for these axles... I dont mind doing some upgrades to the axles to help them handle the extra weight rather than swapping... I appreciate the input!

 

Good points... You think that higher lift makes a big difference in mud?? My main goal was just bigger tires for clearance...

 

Honestly..... 33s would be fine. I run 32s on a 4 inch lift and it takes me everywhere I need to go an then some. I don't see the need for more than what I have with what I do. I don't see why you would want to go 3" on 35s. I rub with my lift as it is. I couldn't imagine the rubbing with what you want

 

I don't think it makes a big difference, I just think you'll have a much easier time making your lift size/tire size combo work.

As far as the last post I would consider the u joint and spline count upgrade a necessity.

You can upgrade the spline count in your current rear axle while you regear by replacing the carrier at getting 29 spline axles. Good time to upgrade to some nice axle shafts. Not a bad idea to get some nice shafts in the front too.

 

Why LCG on a mud rig? Get that thing up in the air so you're not dragging the undercarriage through the muck.

 

Mud + easy on the skinny? I think 33's would be the sweet spot.

 

It's all a good plan till the shasta hits the fan.
There is no way, no way, to maintain an easy on the skinny mandate.
You plan a mud terrain.
Time will come, you will need the power, your foot will go down, way down.
You will find the weak link.

 

Post pics I am doing something similar seeing if I can get away with 2" lift with max trimming to tuck 35s. only temp till long arm.

 

Search for a member named Tom95YJ and look at his build. He ended up with a RE 3.5" kit running 35's.

 

For the cost of a 29 spline 8.25 I find it hard to believe that you would even consider using the 27 spline one, less cost than 1 good mud tire.


Like several of us has mentioned a 3" lift is rather small for something you plan on using in the mud, I know mine was and even at 4 1/2" at times problems.


If you have good quality leafs and coils now it is easy to use them to get to 4 1/2" and still have excellent flex and room for 35's. But the cost remains the same to do so.