Ok, personal opinions needed here.
I got a 96 XJ no lift

I wanna trim my fenders and slap on some 31's
I dont have the money to lift yet and I need new tires put on. None of my fender flares match anyway.

What do you think, Go for it??

 

I ran 31's on my '96 and they did rub just a little. I did not trim though, so if you do, you should be fine. Wheelin' is a different story though all together.

 

Do a search for junkyard upgrades with the search function,I think you could put yourself a lift of 1.5 to 2 inches really really cheap, then buy a set of 30 inch to save a bit of money to put towards a cheap junkyard lift(.Only my opinion for all you guys that dont know what an opinion is and need to mouth off.) Sorry about that guy but I think you could throw a j/y lift on for about 75. to 100. bucks so you can be lifted and have slightly lager tires. good luck.

 

Im afraid to lift honestly because of the major changes in driveline. Its kind of expensive in the eyes of a college student. Plus the tires I got are the Uniroyal Liberator A/T's the 29's 30's and 31's were the same price across the board so I went and got the 31's.

I might do 2 or 3 inch budget lift with fresh leaf springs cause my leaves are shot.

I dont wheel that much, just a few times a year. Im really building it for snow, light mudding and trails.

More input please
and pics from people who have a trim/no lift setup

 

I say go for it that way even when you do get a lift it is still more clearance for bigger tires and its free. Plus I personally dont like the look of stock flares.

 

I dont like the XJ flares either, from the few pictures ive seen, only the custom steel tubing flares look any good unless you want something nice and neat then id go with the new Bushwacker flats.
My other problem is paint, all my stock paint is wind worn, and from an accident a few years back alot of the front end is all rattle can, and thats starting to feel and fade fast.
Im trying to think of easy budget repairs, maybe ill just maaco next summer or get some rattle can bedliner spray....
IDK

 

mine is roll on bed liner from wally world $43 for a gallon and i used a reg house paint roller and nap did whole jeep in about 3 hrs cheap and durable

 

I would say go with the bedliner bc its probably a little cheaper and a lot more durable. Thats assuming you like the look of the bedliner.

 

X2 for bedliner

 

I wanna trim the fenders and throw on the 31's
The bedliner is coming soon ((awaiting last paycheck from WalMart))

Any other opinions or ideas, please throw them out, budget is what this busted bent Jeep spells LOL

 

I lifted 2" and didn't have to change any driveline stuff. just added the springs/U-Bolts and blocks up front. And it can certainly be done cheaper. And mine still drives straight and doesn't wobble.

 

I've got a Rusty's 3-inch lift and didn't have to change anything but put some transfer case spacers that came with the lift. But I've got a buddy that's got the same lift without the spacers and he has no problems with vibrations or binding when flexing. Technically you should get a longer/adjustable trac bar but I ran mine for about 2 years before I finally forked over the money for an adjustable one from Rusty's. Just had to deal with a little wobble. All this was done while I was in high school so it's not very expensive even if you went all out.

 

if you didnt get the link in the pm here is the pic it looks the same for the most part all over but there is a few places that have heavier texture

 

Trim the plastic a little and adjust the stops so they don't rub. You should be ok until you get the lift on.

 

go with a 2" budget lift , the barely noticeable lift will impress the in laws and accomplish everything properly no vibrations or added cost