So the other day I tried on some new to me tire and some wheels I bought and I'm just curious as to what y'all think. Right now my xj is stock but i put on some 33"s .. They sit around 32". Then I let my jeep sink back down to stock height and got this result ...



Then I kicked up the jack about 3" (the size of the lift I bought) and it sits like this...



By the looks of the pictures is this necessary to cut my fenders now, when I put my lift on. Or could it wait.

 

If you use taller bump stops like you should when you lift,They should keep your tires from rubbing from flex.But the fronts will rub when you turn on the stock control arms tho.

 

You can cut your fenders whenever. Without bumpstops, you'll rub when compressed even at 3". Here's 88whitecommanche's XJ with 3" of lift and 33s. His rear suspension is compressed in this from wheeling but his fenders are not cut - just the flairs removed.



I would cut.

 

Do yourself a favor and trim the fenders to keep from rubbing and to get the most flex from the lift your installing.