im thinking about putting a 6 in lift on a smai and was wondering if i do go bigger tires do i kiss my wheel bearings goodbye as well as other problems?

it depends on your off set and how heavy the wheels and the tires are, boggers are over 100 lbs a tire with a steel wheel and can break just about any rig, if you go with  bfg all terrains with a set of weldwheels you would be ok up to a 35 inch I would think.

I have about a 6-inch lift (TT YJ SPOA). I have been running it primarily as a DD for about four years. For about 3-1/2 of those years, I ran 31x10 with 8-inch wide wheels  with a 2-1/2-inch Back spacing. I had no bearing issues at all. I now run 30" Cooper STT on the same wheels.

I struggled with the idea of going to 32 or 33 tires, but decided on the 30s. I have seat of the pants more usable power with the 30s over the 31s, and there really is not that much difference in diameter. There is about 5-pounds per tire more weight with the 31s. I am glad I went with the 30s. The larger the tire, the more power to turn them, more gearing required, the more critical the allignment, harder to steer, more braking rto stop, vibrations are exagerated, more difficult to have good road manors. For a trail only machine, not too bad.

Wayne   

is that pic of your samurai have a 6" lift with 30" tires?
i really like the stance of it...thats about exactly what im looking for!

My lift is the Trail Tough YJ SPOA (http://www.trailtough.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=36&category_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53) about 6-1/2" lift, with four used 5-leaf YJs. I have 30" Cooper STT tires with 8" wide wheels and 2-1/2" back spacing.

Absolutely no rubing issues, excelent road manors.

Really nice rig!     What bumpers are those?

Really nice rig!     What bumpers are those?

Both are home fabricated, from scrap and junk.

The front is primarily a jeep bumper that hit a concrete wall on the freeway. I cut it apart, salvaged usable pieces, added other scraps. This photo is before moving front license plate an finish paint.





The back bumper is previously used 2"x4" tubing, parts from a riding lawn mower deck, and miscellaneous steel scrap.

Both are really nice!  I like the design of the rear, how the tire drops down.

if the tire was mounted on the other side it would make a good table.

I have a 6" SPOA and run 32's....

Mines the white TT. I have had this built this way since this last spring and I use it as a DD. I haven't found any weird during normal maintenance. One thing you haven't mentioned is what gearing are you planning. The 1.3 is really lacking when you go bigger tires. I put in a 6.5:1 case and love it. I also plan on dropping the R&P. I live in the rocks though, so super slow might not be your thing, but you will need something .