Do you really think 33's will fit and have room to flex? Is anyone else running 33's with a 3" lift and trimmed fenders? As for the paint, I plan on putting Rusty's flares on it and bedliner in the wheel wells to cover bare metal and seal out water from the cut and fold in the rear. I can't wait to get tires!

 

well the 33's will def fit, and you will have enough room to flex. if you want more flex go for a nice set of 32's. that would probably be more fitting if you dont want to go to house with it.

 

x2 the 33s

be careful about the flares you buy.. I hear they all crack.. even the rustys.. Thats why Im building mine.. inexpensive, custom, replaceable.. and will look pretty good.. there are pics out there on the net.. thats where I got the idea.

and consider extended bump stops if it flexes too much... OR a saws-all

good luck

 

please keep posted on the flares you build. do you have a thread i dont want hijack this guys thread

 

Rusty's has two types of flares, flexible and solid. I'm buying the flex ones. They are supposed to be unbreakable.

 

i have a 2000 cherokee with a 3'' lift and 31'' tires. i am not planning on wheeling in it, until i have the money to fix it if i break it because this is my daily driver car. i have a set of 275/70/r17 and i plan on getting a 6.5'' lift. i was wondering if i will need to cut any of the fender off or if it will rub when i make sharp turns.

 

I tried mounting the 33x12.5's from my TJ on the XJ to see how they would fit with trimmed fenders. They actually seemed to fit pretty good, until I turned the steering wheel all the way. As you can see in the photo, the rear part of the tire almost hits the rear wheel well at full turn, leaving no room for flex. I guess we'll have to go smaller.

 

Looks more like a rim backspacing issue than the tire being to large. That rim and tire combo is sticking out a long way. The more it sticks out the wider arc it will swing and the sooner it will make contact. I know it's a pain, but I'd like to see that same tire on a stock backspaced rim. Bet it would fit (or at least be a lot closer to fitting).



Here's a stock rim with a 31X10.5 on it. It barely sticks out past the fender. Even if you put a 33 on this same rim, it would only stick out another inch.

 

You have to remember it has no fenders and it's a 2" wider tire than yours. That makes about 3 inches that is not covered by fender or anything (1" tire+2" fender). When I add the Rusty's fenders, it should be about the right coverage. I might cut more once I get the fenders and see how much more I can cut. By the way, the wheels are 15x8 with 4" BS.

 

I was taking the no fender thing into consideration. The tire is 2" wider but that's 1" on either side with regards to how far it sticks out from the side of the vehicle.

Always hard to tell from photos.

Just trying to help. I would've thought 4" of backspacing would be about right. Maybe someone else who's been there done that will help you. I'm speculating here. I know there are guys that are getting away with 33's and a 3" lift. I've seen some of them. Fender trimming for sure, but they seem to manage.

Personally I think I'd go with someone else's suggestion and do 32's. It seems like an awful lot of expense and work for 1 more inch of tire.

Good luck

 

I think the picture makes it look worse than it is. I haven't adjusted out the lower control arms yet because I have to install the new track bar still. I figured I'd dial everything in together. That should move the tire out a little also. We're going to put the Rusty's fenders on 1st and then see where we stand and if we can cut more.

 

Hey guys.. sorry to off in lala land for a bit.. guess what? my wife is PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!! wooohooooo

but it looks like you all got things under control..

keep up the good work

 

Congratulations on the baby. First one then?

My wife (well almost wife) and I took her JK wheeling this weekend. We ran into a couple dudes running XJ's and hung out with them for a few hours.

After watching these guys I'm convinced 33's are the way to go. Both were short wheel base (2 doors) one guy (the red one) had 8"s of lift and 35's all locked up. The other guy (teal colored 2 door) had 5"s of lift and was running 33X12.5s. He was all locked up as well. They were going through stuff that the wifes brand spanking new JK couldn't do, then again we're only on 33's and with a longer wheel base.



This guy was funny. Talk about loving his sport. He was grinning ear to ear all day long. Even when his XJ decided to stop running in this V. He got her going again though.



Same V in the wife's JK. It made it, but we left a little hitch paint behind.

 

I run 33s with a 4.5 lift. The back spacing has a lot to do with the frt rubbing. I had a set with a 4" BS, they didnt rub. Than I traded for a set off a YJ with a 3 3/4 BS, they munched my fender like cookie monster dose cookies. A stock 4 3/4 works ok but may rub lower control arms. If you bumpstop it correctly and use a 4" BS you'll be happy.
Currently looking at running the 4" BS and a set of 34" LTBs

 

try expansion foam u get from the hardware store, i use it anywhere i need to plug up a hole, it sticks to everything and will fill the gap completly, then u can paint it