33's on an XJ....Suggestions Please

[Griz]

Right now it has a 3" lift and 31" tires. I would sure like to fit a set of 33" tires under it.

I've asked this question on another board but it got burried so fast and few responses.

I'm not opposed to doing some cutting on the fender wells and I'm sure I'd have to. It needs a paint job so I want to do this before it gets painted.

Here's some deatails about the drive train: Auto, 242 xfer case, CV joint on front driveshaft.

Give me your ideas.

[satan]

Yeah -some cutting-

What year?

Typically, for 33's you'd need to trim the circumference of all the fenders (most likely losing or remounting the flares). The "more critical areas" are the rear of the rear-wheel arches (actually, everything aft of the front arch, depending on spring,shackle and backspacing issues), and the front and tops of the front fender arches.

You should probably consider some bump-stop height to help keep the tires off of what you can't cut (and eventually more lift to get you away from the bumpstops)

[Griz]

I'm looking for pictures too, if anyone has done this with a minimal amount of lift.

[satan]

I'm not located that far from you (33's on 7")... ...if I can find time, I'm always happy to help (one of the more social reasons for my plasma cutter!)

I'll see what I can find for fotos.

[Tiffster]

Griz you have seen mine and I run 33x10.50s. I could have a lot less lift than I do and the tires would still work out fine.

[satan]

Yeah, but you've got different fenders and liners on that new thing o'yours... (the pinch-seam in the rear of the rear wheel arch isn't even on your years -- they put a plastic thing there...)

[DogBone]

Griz,
Just give ya an idea.

[Griz]

I know I'll have to do some fender mods, and I know that the rear seam is stuctural. I will probably remove the stock fender skirts, anyone ever put a set of TJ flares on a Cherokee? That's what I was thinking of trying.

Dogbone did we run Hackett together with Will this spring (in the rain)? If you're running 33's with 4.5" how much did you have to trim out?

Thanks for the ideas, keep em coming please.

[USAJEEPS]

Here is mine with 5" and 33 BFG A/T for the street, and 32 TSL swampers for the trails.
Just incase you did not know the 32 TSL's are actually bigger then my 33 AT.

http://www.zing.com/picture/p2181960b3b2098c663062b9a68055b9f/fea5c9a6.jpg

http://www.zing.com/picture/p3e461d73a0fcc3ec356bd6b550a6f155/fe97f008.jpg

[bigfodee]

I trimmed mine a little while ago. I just bought some YJ flares, held it up to mark, and made my cuts. Sorry no pics, but Im going to a lil over 6" and gonna try 35's

[Griz]

Here's another idea I am kicking around. I have some poly spacers I took off of my TJ when I lifted it with new springs. What all do I need if I put the spacers in the front. I've read that you need new LCA's, I got LCA's with the 3" lift, do I still need to rplace the LCA's.

Rear, I'll probably just go with a pair of 1.5" shackles. Revolvers later if this works okay.

Who will help me with the cutting?

[DogBone]

I really don't know how much I trimmed. I cut everything up to the mounting holes for the flares and halved the flat area there. Made relief cuts at the curves and bent the rest up. Leaving only 1/2 inch of flare left.

I'm bad at explaining w/out having hands on. When did you plan on cutting? I'll help if I'm off.

Joey

[satan]

If you're willing to loose a little wheel travel, you can minimize your need to trim by extending bumpstops some and/or running stiffer coils...

(but why loose flex?)

This is a shot of a 33x9.3x15 BFG M/T stuffed into a '87 front end -- this is qty=3" LESS stuff than is afforded by the stock suspension --- control arms are sized to get this thing to hit all qty=3 sides at the same time (front top and rear all contact at the same time).
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1399177&a=10462903&p=50824625&Sequence=0&re s=high

[Chris S]

Why mess with TJ flares. Rusty sells stock looking flares that are 1.25" wider than stock and let you trim about 3" out of your fenders.
You could probably run 33s on a 4" lift with those flares.

[BIGoffroad]

These are the same tires you have...I really mean the same... :-)

[BIGoffroad]

here you go

[XJOutcast]

here you go
6" lift 31" ssr's!!! Same height as say a bfg 32" MT