I'm buying an 06 Rubicon and I am adding ITP Type 7 14" wheels with XTR Mudlite 27x9R-14 front and 27x11R-14 rear tires....my questions are:

1. do i need a lift kit, if so how much?
2. do i need wheels spacers to move the wheels outward?
3. do front fender brackets need to be replaced because of clearance?

Any additional feedback is appreciated

 

Unless Honda has changed the design on the '05+, I believe HighLifter makes a fender kit and if you need a lift, you'll definitely need one of these.

 

just out of curiosity why are u going with 14 inch wheels?

 

NO
You will not need a lift kit!!!!
The only proplem is in thick mud you will fold over the very bottom of the front fender and pull the plastic pin out (from turning the wheels). Very easy to fix when you put the pin back in put a washer on the other side.
I have 27's ML's I would love to get the radial mud lites but still a little high $$

 

My understanding is that 14" wheels reduce sidewall flex of the tire and is supposed to greatly inprove handling and braking of the atv over the 12"

 

Sidewall flex is what gets you through the rough stuff, and sidewall is what protects your rims.

Cant see it helping braking much, and handling is already good on Hondas due to their relative low center of gravity and SRA.