Your going to probably want to run 3.75 BS with trimmed fenders and extended bumpstops. That should do the trick.

 

i ran 33/12.50s with my first lift kit.. it was a 4.5" RC short arm kit.. i had to trim the bottom of the flare just a little bit so they'd clear when i turned.... couple weeks after that i traced around the stock flare, removed it, then cut on the line.. came out pretty slick! thats probably what you'll have to do to fit 33s with out rubbin to bad

 

def. trim.
the xj body i trimmed up, but trimmed it high, can fit 33's at stock height.

 

the 4 inch backspace wheel will actually work a bit better,a wheel that sticks out further will come in contact with the fender/flare sooner.....example.....check out the tire stuffage

my wheels are a 5inch backspace....now picture a 3.75 backspace wheel,it would be sticking out alot more,and it would come in contact wit my flares at full stuffage......keep in mind,im am full width.So wit stock axles,and only 3 inches of lift,you prolly wanna go wit 4inch bs wheels to keep the fender contact to a minimum......dont forget to pull out the whole inner fennder and fold the pinch seem.

heres a pic of my inner fender area

 

He's right. 3.75" will hit the fenders. I was hitting my fenders on the STREET with only 31's and 3.5" lift. It was ridiculous. I recent swapped out those darn 3.75's for some stock wheels with 5.something backspacing and now i don't rub at all with 32's. I trimmed just a little....for nothing.

This is 3" lift on 31x10.5's and 4" backspacing:

See how close the front tire is to the bumper? You'll be much worse than that so think about trimming to fit those big tires.

 

Thanks for the info. Makes sense, guess I go for 4" backspace.

Any of you drive daily with 33's?

 

4.5" of Lift and 33" BFG MT's on 4.5" backspaced rims that are 8" wide.

Flareless and Trimmed:

Before Trimming and Removing Fenders:

I daily drove this setup for a few months. My biggest complaint would've been the gearing becuase I haven't yet re-geared to 4.56's. The Rubicon Express kit rides great.

 

With 4.5" backspace, do you rub a lot?

Jeep looks good...

 

Thanks. I need to add probably .5"-1" more of bumpstops to the front axle and I will be fully rub-free. As of right now, it runs at full stuff with the tires turned in either direction.

 

Too bad a lift is just springs and shocks.

Good input from everyone... Now I have to start gathering more parts...

 

ill play...4.5" Rusty's spring lift...33x13.50 Swamper LTB's on 15x8 steelies(sorry dont know the backspace)....driven daily with trimmed front fenders and cut-n-folded rears

 

Looks like 3.75. Nice setup. :thumbsup:

 

love the ltb`s...fender killers

 

i love them too...except when their cold LOL...until they warm up a bit they nearly beat me to death

 

with the gearing would a 4.10 i think out of a 4cylinder xj be worth the trouble to swap?

 

Yeah its worth it, IMO. Depends on the miles on the jeep but it's definitely option. You still have to have a shop align the differential but you will save money buying used gears.

 

first pic is 3in with 33's second is 4.75-5" on the same 33's. i never wheeled the 3in and 33's set up but if i did i would had to bumpstop the hell out of it. bs on the wheels is 4". if ur staying at 3in i would just do 31's. I also dd mine on 33x12.5's too. i do alot of interstate driving so gas milage wasnt horrible but if u do alot of stop and go type stuff it will suck

3in and 33's trimmed fronts and cut and fold on the rear

4.75-5" on 33's

 

Nice looking XJ...

I'm gonna have to lift it about another 1.5" or so. Need lower control arms, adjustable track bar, sway bar disconnect, Front DS/sye, bumpstops and front springs... Tough being on a tight budget. Hope to get luck finding parts used..

Wonder if anyone has made any of these on their own???

The search continues..

 

You should look at CT99XJ's build article. His is a 3" lift and 33" tires. He seems to be very successful with the combination. Here's the link: http://www.cherokeetalk.com/forum/f26/ct99xjs-build-birth-projekt-swamp-thing-12561/