Hey guys im working on building my first jeep ever. It would be the first jeep i own and build. Im planning on putting 33s on a 16" rim and was told i would be breaking axles with the heavy tires??? My jeep right now is stock 100% the only things ive done to it is regular tune ups and maintnance and a k&n air and oil filter.
I was also thinking of a lift, maybe 6.5 or 8 inch lift on those 33s. What do you guys think???
What jeep lift brands are good?? Also, would i have to swap axles or do any gearing to move those 33s?? I plan on mostly doing off road in dirt and sand and occasions a little rock crawling and mudding when need to and pulling out stuck buddies. Would i break something if i get a little to much grip on those 33s with stock tranny and axles?? Also would i have to alter my engine??
Any help is gladly apreciated guys. Im a newbie on this stuff but ive always wanted to learn a little on all this just never had a chance. Thanks guys for any help. Ill post some pix up later in the day when i wash it.

 

Need a little bit of info on your jeep cause they came with several different axles and some will hold 35s just fine. Lots of people don't gear for 33s and are fine but you will loose a little power and mpg. 33s can clear with a 4.5" lift with minor rubbing if you still run the stock flares. I'm running 38s with 7" and some fender cutting. Any axle can break in the right situation but I ran the weakest factory axle, the c-clipped D35 locked with 33s and beat on it hard and only broke a shaft twice. Also the engine, tranny and t-case will be fine but if you go with the big lifts you'll need to address the t-case, either bandaid it with a drop or use a SYE and dual cardon drive shaft in the rear. Oh and welcome to the sickness hope you have deep pockets.

 

Your best bet is to do lots of research on this site before you do any thing to your jeep. I have read stuff on here for almost a year now and i have just decided what lift and tires to get, now i need to save money. Good luck and don't rush it.

 

Yeah your not going to want to rush into buyin your lift and tires, etc. and like Xjmarc said hope you have deep pockets as it gets addicting, but anyways is it more of a daily driver or are you just building it to go wheelin? And after that, what type of rear axle do you have? alot of jeeps came with 8.25 axles which will hold up your 33" wheel no problem and you only need a 4.5" lift to clear 33s without cutting. Goodluck with your research and future build!

 

This.

 

Yea i need to know what axles im running first... Ill check on that. What stock axle holds up the 33s good though??

 

Yea its more of a daily driver, i only hit offroad weekends. Heres a pic of it right now. Just got window tint for it today and a wax..

 

Take a pic of your rear diff

 

Match your rear axle with this cheat sheet. You have a D30 low pinion in the front.

 

Dang i think i have the small one?? So all jeeps come stock with the D30 in the front??

 

Yea you have the dana 35...all xjs ran 30s up front. You have a d35 which is the weakest of the rears. There are 2 different 35s..the c clip and non c clip...however both are pretty weak. I have a 35 in mine...im running 31s about to go to 33s and run it till it breaks. Common swaps are a ford 8.8 or the chrystler 8.25...which is direct bolt on

 

Ford 8.8 isn't a bolt in however I'd shoot for the 8.25 or the d44 from an older Cherokee

 

I didnt say the 8.8 was a direct bolt in..just a common swap..I said the 8.25 is a direct bolt on.. I do agree though..id try to find a 29 spline 8.25

 

Thats an 8.25. Flat bottom, dead give away.

 

Its really hard to see but on my cellular it looks rounded... He's right though flat bottom = 8.25