High schooler xj build
Starting this thread incase I run into any problems as I get deeper and deeper into my build. Also for any suggestions.
96 cherokee country
Current mods:
Bushwhacker flat style fender flares
Smittybilt front winch bumper and rear bumper
Soon I plan to get a 4.5 inch rough country lift and 2 in budget booster. Also Mickey Thompson wheels and 33" tires.
Anybody have any suggestions or good prices on these things. I'd greatly appreciate the advice as I am still in high school and the funds aren't super high.
96 cherokee country
Current mods:
Bushwhacker flat style fender flares
Smittybilt front winch bumper and rear bumper
Soon I plan to get a 4.5 inch rough country lift and 2 in budget booster. Also Mickey Thompson wheels and 33" tires.
Anybody have any suggestions or good prices on these things. I'd greatly appreciate the advice as I am still in high school and the funds aren't super high.
the fenders are trimmed but I put bushwhacker flares back on it. The tires rub them now with my 2 inch wheel spacers. I'm afraid when if I go with only the 4.5" then the 33" will rub. But I have been wondering how it will look with that much lift.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 5
From: grove city OHIO
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Starting this thread incase I run into any problems as I get deeper and deeper into my build. Also for any suggestions.
96 cherokee country
Current mods:
Bushwhacker flat style fender flares
Smittybilt front winch bumper and rear bumper
Soon I plan to get a 4.5 inch rough country lift and 2 in budget booster. Also Mickey Thompson wheels and 33" tires.
Anybody have any suggestions or good prices on these things. I'd greatly appreciate the advice as I am still in high school and the funds aren't super high.
96 cherokee country
Current mods:
Bushwhacker flat style fender flares
Smittybilt front winch bumper and rear bumper
Soon I plan to get a 4.5 inch rough country lift and 2 in budget booster. Also Mickey Thompson wheels and 33" tires.
Anybody have any suggestions or good prices on these things. I'd greatly appreciate the advice as I am still in high school and the funds aren't super high.
But what are you using your jeep for? 6.5 is tall for a lot of terrain..
mostly mud. I'm from Missouri and we have a lot of mud where I'm at. But also as a vehicle to drive during huntin season. River crossings and rutted up roads are a big problem and I'd like to be able to have a vehicle with heat instead of a fourwheeler.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 5
From: grove city OHIO
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
I'm only at 3 in and I have 33x12.50s
. all that height it's UN needed to run 33s
did you have to do trimming? That's why I wanna go so high. I put a new set of fender flares and and really the only extra clearance it gives is for the front tires. A little bit for the back but the tires started rubbing. My new tires will stick out further than these also so I think it might rub still with the 33s as the details in the lift say recommend tire size is 32x10.50 and max is 33x12.50
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 1
From: Rockford, IL
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
lift doesnt really affect the tires you can fit. if your flares are properly installed 33s will fit perfectly. I highly advise against going higher than 3-4 inches cause even with a big boy job any higher is expensive for most of us
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter I6 PowerTech
Also, if your rims have 3.75 inches of backspacing, you should be fine. Stock rims, or larger backspacing, is usually the cause of tire rub. If you have 6 inches of lift and bushwacker flares, you could easily fit 35's, and 33's shouldn't rub at all. 4.5 inches of lift and bushwacker flares would be fine with 33x12.5 inch tires as long as your backspacing is good.
Also, if your rims have 3.75 inches of backspacing, you should be fine. Stock rims, or larger backspacing, is usually the cause of tire rub. If you have 6 inches of lift and bushwacker flares, you could easily fit 35's, and 33's shouldn't rub at all. 4.5 inches of lift and bushwacker flares would be fine with 33x12.5 inch tires as long as your backspacing is good.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter I6 PowerTech
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Liter I6 PowerTech
There's some good vendors on this site, and a lot of them offer discounts to forum members. Just FYI before you buy anything. Also a lot of them are having holiday sales coming up, you could save a bunch of money.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 5
From: grove city OHIO
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
did you have to do trimming? That's why I wanna go so high. I put a new set of fender flares and and really the only extra clearance it gives is for the front tires. A little bit for the back but the tires started rubbing. My new tires will stick out further than these also so I think it might rub still with the 33s as the details in the lift say recommend tire size is 32x10.50 and max is 33x12.50
by rubbing do you mean due to suspension travel or steering movement?
because tires binding on flares from flex is stopped by increasing your bump stops.
good to know. I'll have to check that out next week. It's hard for me to find service down here at our huntin lease.
I'm thinking the back tires will rub but the more I think about it they might not. I know the current lead springs are worn and sag so that may be the problem. Also it says the stock recommended tires are 215x70s and I'm running 235x75s


