Well actually it's several. Let me be clear on a couple things first. I am 4000 miles from my Jeep in Germany. I bought this Jeep sight unseen last friday with my dad's help. i wont even get to touch it until the end of December. I am having trouble identifing my rear diff. I think it's a DANA 35 but can't be too sure. Heres the pic my dad sent me.

Next, I have been researching things on this Jeep for a month, since i knew i was going to buy it. I want to put 31's under it. Specificly TSL Thornbirds 31x11x15. Now heres one of many big questions: what lift, 3" or 4.5" will accomidate these tires and how will this affect the drivetrain. What i had planned was: 3" rough country lift, Quick disconnect sway bars, and a drop pittman arm. The lift comes with shocks. The 3" or 4.5" are $250 and $450 respectivly. The QD sways are $120 and the pittman arm $90. If I can get away with the 3" with little to no fender trimming that would be great, but if the 4.5" will be a better choice for further upgrades is where i run into the delema. Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

Next, what type of backspacing will I need to have on my wheels to have limited rubbing and not look retarded in the process?

One last thing. Does anyone know anyone who has these tires and is happy with them?

 

I would run a 4.5" lift with 15x8 rims with 4" back spacing if you want to run those thornbirds. However, from what I've heard those tires aren't worth the money.

 

What year is the jeep

 

its a 2000 sport with the 4.0HO

 

From the pic posted it looks like it is a dana 35 but I might be mistaken.
A 8.25 has a little bit more of the axle showing below the diff cover.

I hope I helped, Im just saying what others have said to me on this forum before.

 

If you plan on driving the thing on road with those thornbirds its a waste. If you really want em, run 2 sets of wheels/tires

 

Pretty sure that is a Dana 35. Also, get different tires, "Thornturds" suck driving on any terrain.

 

from what experience you have had, leads you to that conclusion?

 

You have the Dana Turdy 5 man. The corporate 8.25 has a flat bottom that hangs out below the cover.

 

the 8.5 isnt that much bigger than the 35 and you are only going start running into problems with it if you lock it or throw bigger than a 33 inch tire on it. But if you plan on getting crazy i would just go with a dana 44. I just picked up a dana 44 out of an 1987 cherokee for 100$ from mudhunter

 

Be careful though. My '87 has a 35 on it. One doesn't mean you get the other.

 

It has to have the tow package for starters

 

Did not know that.

Can anyone post a picture of a d44 and maybe a link to a swapout howto?

 

if you get it out of a cherokee it is a direct bolt in

 

first duh!
and dont get thornbirds get kumho (for road)
with like a 2 or 3 inch lift ome (old man emu)
i actually have 4 wheels and tires 31s bfg on eagle alloy offset but i dont know where you are
i have a d44 and mine is a 87 d44 are only in the rear of cherokees from 87-89 so try to get one i doubt.
i would get a chr 8.25.

the first pic is kumho they are good
the secound a pic of a dana 44