Ralph77

That is funny cause that is the one thing I have no intentions of doing. I am older now and my off roading days are long over. Just wanted a comfortable daily driver that would get me around in the snow. The Up Country suspension would be more for a look. As was the tow hooks or the skid plates. Knowing that I am the only one who knows the skid plates are there. LOL. I own a Jeep because I have, or some sort of 4X4, since I was 16.

Ralph77

Here you go. Oh and I forgot to add that I replaced all the factory glass with the crappy aftermarket tints that turned purple, got her like that, with some factory privacy glass I found off a '97 in the boneyard. Was quoted $200 for a remove and replace of them about 3 years ago. I had the hatch done by my glass guy and I did the rest. Total cost was $333. $100 to my guy, and he removed the boneyard one (I removed the rest), removed mine, and installed the boneyard one, $200 for the glass, and $33 for new hatch molding. These pictures are from a couple years ago before I did the glass or swapped the bucket seats.

Bugout4x4

What points me to say that is from observations because I have been in that industry for awhile. Some vehicles come with an OEM "optional" +1 larger size listed on the tire size/pressure sticker on the door jam. So right off the bat in way they are admitting that even though they got cheap to save a couple dollars in the cost of tires during production, they also give you a second option that they know will probably perform better, and they do.

So the first thing folks do after the original set wears out is replace them with the second bigger manufacturer approved +1 optional size. But taking my own 97 for example and applying this concept it lists 215/75R15 as the OEM tire size for it. But we all know that they would have been better to have come out with at least a 225/75R15, and we would be right... it should have. So this usually becomes the first deviation from OEM.

Ralph77

For sure. Anything to save a buck. According to my build sheet she came with P225/75R15 Wrangler RT/S AT Tires. Had 225/75R15 GSA's on her when I bought her. I am running 225/75R15 Cooper Discovery HT's that I bought a couple years ago. Thinking some pizza cutter 215's would be better in the snow being one of the reasons I own a Jeep.

Bugout4x4

You are one of the first few I have talked with in a longtime who realize sometimes it is better to cut down through mud and snow than it is to float on top.

EZEARL

THANKS for the louver pic Ralph.
Actually there can be less than 1/2" difference in width between a 225/75-15 and a 235/75-15.
https://tiresize.com/chart/

Bugout4x4

Absolutely, But in the day, if you wanted to go with an LT they were not common in a 215, most 215's were only available in a P rating. But they were indeed readily available in a 225 and 235. It didn't take very many rock breaks in the tread area and punctured sidewalls to figure out the LT's had great advantages over the P rated in the sticks.

EZEARL

Even on my CJ's I'd run LT's. Did run 33/12.50-15's on a CJ5 for a while until I had a bad hydroplaning incident. Went with narrow 16" tires then.

Kymasabe

Thanks for the louver pics. Those were out of '98 Grand Cherokee and you just cut them right in ??

Ralph77

For sure for snow. I think a wider, beefier tire is better for the muck and mud. And a wider tire, with like 15 lbs in it, is best in sand. Anybody out there old enough to know what a chugger is?

You are welcome but I did not do them. Out of a '98 GC with the 5.9 Magnum. I had some surface rust issues on the hood and roof. The '00 was kinda of a fixer upper. So when I had my body guy deal with that I figured have the louvers done at the same time. Was able to score some on Ebay and thanks to guys who have done this already, would love to take credit for the idea but just following other peoples lead, gave all the info to him. So here is what you need to know:

Post #30

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f177/...42/index2.html

Posts #33 and 36

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f177/...42/index3.html

By the way check that build out while you are there. WOW.

Bugout4x4

If you are talking about one of the first 4x4 trucks built by Jeffery which after took on the Nash name... Yes

Ralph77

No. Back in the day before little portable $12 Walmart air compressors for filling tires we use to have a problem of what to do to air up after airing down and running in the sand. You pulled a spark plug and used a chugger. It screwed right in and pumped air, well air and unburned gas, into your tire. You would air up just enough to get to the closest gas station, let all the air out, I never wanted to drive around with air/unburned fuel in my tires, and fill to spec. I could not find a reference or a picture on the chugger on the internet. It was the kind of thing that you found in the back of a 4X4 magazine and mailed away for.

Bugout4x4

Oh yes, used one many times. Must be a local slang term for those. lol Grew up on a ranch and they were an absolute necessity! And you are right! those tires were a bomb waiting to go off! Not only were they full of the proper fuel/air mixture... it was compressed! It was very important to tell that guy who was about to light a cigarette while he was letting the air out to patch it! lol

Actually, I ran across one here in my shop the other day scrounging around.

Ralph77

They were handy devices despite the danger, at least I think they were, associated with them.

IJM

Some do. Mine doesn't. I've got the Powertrax No-Slip locker and it's been great. It's a blast in the rain and snow since you can easily powerslide around corners with just the right amount of throttle and opposite lock.