hello forum, my name's josh, and this will be my first post, although i have been lurking around here and doing reading for the last year. (so, i guess this is both an introduction and a question)

i'm 17, parents bought a $700 2wd 1998 xj last year, under the condition that i learn how to fix basically anything on it i can for as long as i have it. so i started out changing fluids, which progressed to under the hood work, which moved on to brakes and shocks (which were toasted) and to other routine changes, which escalated to things like adding tow points to the frame, rearranging a bumper, taking apart the transmission, and buying a muffler and welding together pipes to make an exhaust system. over time, i became addicted to working on these small things, extremely interested in how this thing works, and even more addicted to putting the jeep to work. (dad insisted NO 4wd to begin with, as I would tear it up in a week.) which, i would..

there's always been something thats fascinated me about all jeeps, and it's what i always wanted my first car to be, but i had no idea what that jeep cherokee would turn into for me.

I REALLY want to go 4wd, within the next two years.. so I have decided, as i've already put a lot on this jeep, that I can fit it all on the jeep I have, and when the day comes i find a cheap, working 4wd, i can swap over all good parts onto it. (please, tell me if there are flaws in doing this..)

however.. for the last birthday i received a set of 15x10in rims..
after much reading, i still haven't found a clear cut answer..
can i put 31 inch tires on this rim? I don't really want to go to 33s, because i feel like my stock axle will have a hard time pulling them.. and i dont want to get rid of them unless i have to..

so.. how bad of an idea is it to put 31's (or possibly 33's) on and a decent 3inch lift on this 2wd vehicle for now, considering gas milage is already in the drain, and i don't ever go far.

 

why not just save up money, buy a front d30, tcase, front driveshaft, and keep the jeep you put all your work into?

you wont fit 33s with 3" lift unless you cut fenders, the highest recommended for 3" is a 31.
You should be able to put 31s on your rims, but they may squat a little.

 

you know, I really though about that.. but everything i've read says its a HUGE pain to do the conversion. (although, it would be a great thing to have under the belt)

and i wouldn't mind doing a little fender trimming..
also: was thinking about doing the 3inch RE lift to fit 31s (if even possible) and possibly adding some shackles and longer bumpstops to get it a bit higher, as to not "stuff" them in there

 

from what Ive read, it isnt that hard.

Look in the tire/lift thread, 3" and 31s doesnt need to be any higher, they arent "stuffed" in there.

 

Welcome to our addiction...sounds like you are already quite hooked.

As far as swapping to 4wd... of all the vehicles made, this is probably one of the easiest to do. The front axle is bolt on.. then you would either need a 4wd trans or swap the output to a 4wd output, you would need a transfer case, and the driveshafts. You would need small stuff like sensors and such as well. Suspension and steering thought are the same.

As far as the 15x10" wheels... you could put a wide 31" tire on them but I would imagine you will have problems with the tires hitting the fenders and or control arms. With 33"s you will need more than a 3" lift and again I see clearance issues when turning.

If the tire is not wide enough the wheel will stick out too far.. not only will it look funny, but it wont protect the wheel either. Like this:

 

sorry, was still thinking in 33s

i've seen pictures and it doesn't look bad.. i'm just still under the impression that i wont really be able to get 31's on a set of 10 inch wide rims

as far as the conversion goes, i'll have to look more into it, always kind of ruled it out, as im 17 with very low income, and little mechanical knowledge.. while the dad works too many hours a week to be home really helping a lot

 

you can put 33's on a 3 inch. you would have to cut ALOT!!!!! but it can be done. my buddy runs 34's on a 3 inch

 

prerunner:
so for the tires (what i'm looking into at the moment, although i'll look more into the conversion) i should be going 33in tires smallest on those wheels.. or be getting rid of the wheels

will my 2wd jeep even move with a 3-4 inch lift sitting on 33s (and trimming, if needed)?

 

ya you will be able to move. not very fast but you can go.

 

Why do you think you cant put 31's on a 15x10 rim?

 

this

 

If it were me I would run a tire that is wider than 12"s.. Here are some examples that I found.

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/readers..._cherokee.html


Muddy Mover
Vehicle: '87 Jeep Cherokee
Owner: Tim Winget
Tires & Wheels: 32x11.50 Wild Country TXRs on 15x10 American Racing wheels
Suspension: 5-inch Tomkin with 2-inch front coil spacers
Drivetrain: Rear Lock Right
Performance Mods: 4.0L, K&N intake, Flowmaster exhaust
Does everything work the way you want?: No, it needs more power
Anything you would change?: Bigger engine, axles, and tires



Job Well Done
Vehicle: '94 Jeep Cherokee
Owner: Andy Angell, Midvale, UT
Tires & Wheels: 33x12.50 BFG A-Ts on 15x10 chrome wheels
Suspension: 7.5-inch Rubicon Express with Pro Comp shocks
Drivetrain: AW4, NP231, high-pinion Dana 30 front, Dana 44 rear with a Lock Right, 4.56 gears
Performance Mods: 4.0L, K&N intake, Flowmaster exhaust
Other Doodads: Optima battery, Warn winch, Bushwacker flares, custom bumpers and sliders
Does everything work the way you want?: Yes it does!
Anything you would change?: Add a front locker
Anything to add?: Keep up the good work. You guys make the best off-road magazine!

Here are a couple running 15x8s..



Hard Tail
Vehicle: '92 Jeep Cherokee
Owner: Dylan Dickey, Golden, CO
Tires & Wheels: 32x11.50 BFG M-Ts on 15x8 steel wheels
Suspension: 3.5-inch Rubicon Express
Drivetrain: AW4, NP231, high-pinion Dana 30 front, 81/4-inch rear
Performance Mods: 4.0L, header, custom exhaust, K&N air filter
Other Doodads: Custom bumpers, sliders, and tire carrier
Does everything work the way you want?: Needs more rear flex
Anything you would change?: New rear springs and lockers



Notice they are all running 32x11.50 or 32x12.50 tires. Also the skinnier wheels will help keep your tire on the wheel when off roading.

You can run 31"s on 15x10 wheels.. I am not telling you that you can't.

Also notice the ones pictures are running 4.5"-7.5" of lift.... or they have cut the fenders.

As far as you Jeep moving with 33"s.. if you don't regear it will be slow.

 

That was an extreme example... I didn't mean to imply that 31s on 15x10s would look like that specifically...

 

so, should I be looking into something like the 32x12.5 on the 15x10 wheels?
also: will i be able to hit highway speeds at all after putting on some 31-33 inch tires with a lift?

 

Just get 31' tires in 11 or 12 wide...