bryweb

I am building an XJ for my daughter, it is a 2000 XJ with a Tuff Country 3.5" EZ Flex suspension that it came with that she may never wheel (What can I say she has lived with her mother most of her life -but at least I got her to have Jeep fever)

It currently has LT235/75/15 BF Goodrich AT's on stock 5 spokes, and a guy wants to trade me 33" BF Goodrich MT's on stock 5 spokes (darker grey ones) and I am wondering if these will rub on the control arms?

I know I can do some slight trimming and add bump stops to fit them (I have researched this much) Its the stock rims and 33's hitting the control arms I am worried about (I guess I could adjust the turning stops out maybe?)

I figuring if all else fails I can trade down to 31' or 32's easier than trading up later if I take this deal.

Anyone have any EXPERIENCE with a similar setup?



Thanks,

Bryan

CobraMarty

33's are big. Usually also need a gear change. I have 32s with 4 1/2" lift and they will rub the stock flares. Need to trim. 31's on 3-3 1/2" lift looks great but will still have to trim and bump stop.

bryweb

As I said I have read and know I can fit 33" and keep my stock flairs with minimum trimming and bumpstops. Besides if all else fails my current kit has no blocks and I have blocks and coil spacers sitting in my garage from an XJ I stripped for parts on another jeep project.

I know how big 33's are, my TJ had 35's and I am guessing they are 2" smaller

In regards to gears, I realize this and have done my own gears several times so this is not a big deal nor do I think is such an issue with a street driven Jeep, it will hurt my gas mileage a bit but who cares.

My question was, does anyone have EXPERIENCE running 33's on stock Rims on a XJ (preferably a 97-2001), I want to know if it is DRIVABLE. Not wheelable. It is more of a question about backspacing, not fitting, but whether I will need wheel spacers. I am not looking for opinions but personal experience and knowledge from someone who tried stock rims with 33's (I am guessing they are 10.5 at the moment).

Thanks,

Bryan

dav5942

Not sure about stock but had to add spacers(1 1/2") in additon to new fender flares with metal triming(Bushwacker) to put 33 X12.5s on my 15X8" rims with 4.75" backspacing. You should be able to do the math with the 10.5s. No problem with gearing(Auto), plenty of power.

AeroSynch

I had 33s on TJ Rubi rims which had 5" of backspacing like stock ones do I believe. It was DRIVEABLE but would rub on the control arms a little if I turned all the way. Wheeling is another story. My fenders popped off. Here is a picture of it when it had 33s on the RE 3.5", tires were 33x11.5.

fletch469

bryweb

Thanks Aero - That helps.

I read this article'

http://greatlakesxj.activeboard.com/...g-33s-on-a-01/

So I felt I could fit the 33's with 3.5", here is what he said;

"We have NOT trimmed a thing in the rear. It will flex just fine and stuff the tire just fine in the rear (bumstopped correctly). In the front we have trimmed just a smidge, basicly to get clearance at full lock. She was adimit about keeping her factory flares, so I wasn't allowed to cut much. This pic here shows what we trimmed. It was basicly from the body line down on the flare, and than about a 1" x 4" peice of metal out of the bottom of the fender."

Here is a pix of 33's on 3.5" lift;



I realize that XJ seem to vary and what works for one might not for another, but as I said I can lift it more if need be, or I can always trade down the 33's much easier than trade up the 235's.

Just trying to make an educated decision and need to quickly to make the deal.

PS: I am planning on doing my XJ (when I find one) with a 4" lift, 35" tires, and Iceland Flairs. I like low COG wheelers.
PSS: I also understand all the other issues involved with lifts and bigger tires, axles, gear ratios, steering upgrades, brake lines, etc.

Thanks,

Bryan

Throttle Junkie

I'd highly recommend sticking to 31's specially if it isn't going to get wheeled. 33's won't fit with stock rims, unless you plan on going in a straight line. MY 33's are sitting on wheels with 4 inch backspace to clear the LCA. I have a 4inch lift and trimmed a lot, you wont be able to re-use the stock flares as much as needs to be trimmed. Not to mention you will need to re-gear an auto to make it drivable.I'm still stock gears with my 5speed but the larger tires have made 5th unusable.

AeroSynch

No problem man. As for your XJ, I moved up from the 33s to 35s on JK 17s with the same lift, just trimmed the flares. The 35s are spaced out 1.25" with the Spidertrax adapters.

mule1ten

33 to 35 only make 1 inch difference since its a circle

I have 3" lift on 33 and cut the fender wells and added 2 wheel spacers which are perfect or they wheel rub up front turning and on the rear leaf springs.

Xj88

My bud has stock rims and 33s..he has a 5 inch lift...some info...his rims are a 15x8 stock backspacing...his rear tires are super close to the leafs

sportrider

if it's not going to get wheeled anyway just run 31's. why pay all the extra coin for rubber & fuel? not to mention 33's hydroplane way easier then 31's on the rainy days.

CobraMarty

It's your daughter- keep it safe.

I do love the pic of this white XJ with 35's

Let us know what you finally do. Looking forward to it.

bryweb

Them are 33's on that White XJ with a 3.5" RE Lift...... and it is work for him, the only variable for me would be the rims......

No extra coin for the rubber.... I am swapping even.


Here is a pic of the 35's tires, 4" lift, and iceland flairs,



All the Best,

Bryan

Metmknice

If 10.50 wide should be alright, if 12.50 will rub.