Road to 33's

[5spdXJ]

Im new here and new to the jeep world in general and Im wondering what the easiest most economical way to get 33's under one of these bad boys is lol From the research I have done I think Im set on a 4 inch lift..I havnt decided from which MFG. yet though (some help here would be appreciated). It does have to be the most capable off road rig but stock just isnt gonna cut it from both a performance and looks standpoint lol Im thinkin 33/12.50/15 on the stock wheels will get the job done for now? Unless im gonna have a backspacing issue?...I have a few requirements though...#1 I dont want to do any fender trimming..Im not opposed to putting fender flares on it but im not a fan of trimming. #2 I dont need a high buck super capable setup...A plain jane lift with some steelies and cheap knobbies will work just fine for me.

Things I need help with in short:

What is a decent complete lift system for a decent price?
Tire choice?
Anything else I might run into that im not seeing right off the bat?

[unklej's xj's]

first of all, hi. seeing how your xj is a 95 your leaf springs are probably in pretty bad shape. So that is gonna be the biggest expense (other than the price of the 33's.). If you are not apposed to getting a little dirty, you could make yourself a bastard pack. (Grab a set of s-10 leaf springs from the yards and fiddle with them to get the height you need. Keep your xj main and add the s-10's. You can get up to 3.5-4.5" lift.) Next you could go with a 4" Rough Country lift for about $400. then grab your tires and if you don't want to buy a set of cheapo steelies (RC has for like $45 a piece with the backspacing you will need.) then you are going to need to buy some wheel spacers, (I use some 2" ones on my xj but still rub a little on the control arms at full turn.) Which are going to cost you about $200 anyway so you might as well get the RC steelies.

After you get all this work done, you will prob need either a transfer case drop, or a SYE. then you will have so much time and money into it you are going to want to go wheeling! that's when you really get bit! that good old wheeling bug 3will take a huge bite outta your butt and you will wish you went with a long arm kit and 35's, then your fenders are cut to hell. and you will realize you shoulda just saved and got the nice expensive kit in the first place and will start saving all over again!!!!


Welcome to the club! you will be hooked if you stay with it!

[5spdXJ]

I had this same problem with my mustang...its a constant cycle of save buy save buy lol Thanks for the info!

[JeeperMatt]

33x12.50's on stock isn't the best choice in the world. If you plan on using stock wheels, I'd suggest sticking to a 10.50 width.

Originally Posted by 5spdXJ

It does have to be the most capable off road rig but stock just isnt gonna cut it from both a performance and looks standpoint lol

If you want performance out of 33's and a 4", you're going to have to either A) get over not wanting to trim cuz it needs to happen, or B) Bumpstop the hell out of it and get the exact same amount of flex as before, just higher in the air. You can trim the fenders and re-use the stock flares, swap some YJ/TJ ones over, what-have-you. It's honestly not that difficult, I don't see why most new peeps shy away from it.

4" of lift is right around the break-over point for other stuff that needs to be done. From what I've found, every XJ is a little different so some members have had completely different experiences, even with the exact same year, trim, etc. At 4", it's my opinion that you'll be wanting to throw a t-case drop which is something you can make yourself with some 1" square stock, a drill, and longer bolts. Also, if you plan 'wheeling it at ALL, you're going to need some longer brake-lines (especially if you plan on disconnecting the swaybars while off-road). You can swap over some rear lines from a YJ, I believe they get you somewhere around 4" extra length. You can also straighten the hardlines up front for another inch or two.

As for what manufacturer to run with, if you're trying to do this on a budget I'd say build it yourself. Should be able to get a decent 3.5-4" and only have to buy the coils and shocks. At that height I would personally buy some aftermarket control arms. If you don't want to spend the money for aftermarket, you should be able to swap in a set of WJ control arms (shave the bushing down a smidgen), pick up some used lift coils on craigslist, here, NAXJA, wherever, make a bastard pack out of some S10 or Dakota leafs, throw on some YJ brake lines, trim a bit, and snag some shocks.

And welcome to the addiction, kiss your free money and time good-bye!

[muddeprived]

33x12.5's on stock wheels will more than likely rub on the leaf springs and you'll have flats on your first trip out. You will need aftermarket wheels, wheel spacers, or narrower tires.

If you don't want to trim, then at least pull the flares off. I have 4.5" and 32's on stock wheels with 5" worth of bumpstops up front, 7" worth in the rear, and I still rub on serious stuffing. So 33's will be rubbing unless you have zero uptravel. Trimming is recommended for 33's+ but not necessary if you go sky-high on the lift height, BUT you'll lose stability and you won't have that capable rig that you wanted.

Some good lift companies:

BDS
Zone Off Road
Rough Country
Rubicon Express
Iron Rock Off Road
Clayton

[5spdXJ]

I think im gonna end up with a rough country 4.5 inch kit with adjustable shackles to give me an extra inch in the back...where can I find coil spacers for the front? also what is a good back spacing to run a 12.5 tire?

[5spdXJ]

bump

[muddeprived]

Originally Posted by 5spdXJ

bump

Damn those speed bumps.......




Anyways, have you been to 4wd hardware in Columbiana, OH or Meridian's Off Road in butler? They are within driving distances and would have coil spacers and all kinds of jeep goodies. 4wd Hardware is strictly JEEPS and is a gold mine for us jeepers. There's another shop called Pro-Trucks somewhere near Monroeville but I haven't been there in like 10 years so I don't really know if they are still in business or not.

4.0 or 3.75 is a good backspacing for 12.5" tires. Since you are in PA, be sure not to let your tires stick out TOO far cuz it's the LAW. I hate the law but I obey it. I run 32x11's on stock wheels just to keep them under the fenders.

[95cherokee]

i had 35/15.50/15 tsls on my jeep wit cut fenders and a 2 inch spacer but wouldnt turn. lol. but jp mag a couple months back took a cherokee and put a 4.5 kit on it(cant remember brand) but go on there site and look and u will eventualy have to cut your fenders anyways so might as well get it over wit as long as you take your time it will turn out gud but to each there own. gud luck

[95cherokee]

wow sorry bout the giant pic

[muddeprived]

Originally Posted by 95cherokee

wow sorry bout the giant pic

You mean the giant tire?! That's huge!

[95cherokee]

lol yea it was it wouldnt turn thought it looked cool tho. but i do plan on running 35s just not that wide and with more lift ofcourse

[95cherokee]

the truck that the tire came off looks lot better on it my bros truck

[XJcoupe]

unless you run 33 cookie cutters, on a 4.5 lift, you going to have to trim,
my flares didnt last long after installing the lift and 33/12.50/15 w 4" back spacing