My father had purchased an XJ just before he passed for $300. I will attach photos below..... It's a 94 4.0 5spd. Other than that i have no idea what im working with. It's currently sitting on 31's and i know i would like to go up to 33's. Can anyone tell by the pics if it will pass 33's? I'm slowly buying parts and plan on fixing all of the body dings. I'll be keeping this thing forever

 

That doesn't look any higher (+2"") than mine, also on 31's, which makes me think you'll need to go to, say, a 4 1/2" lift to fit 33's & over 2,3" lift things start getting serious.

Also 33's aren't cheap & as your present tyres look good for a few years/k's, suggest you save your money/spend it differently 'til you get a feel for the Jeep, how you use it & what you really think will add to your enjoyment of it.

 

33ss require lift and fender trimming. 31s are a good size for what you have

 

Thanks for the replies! I have already purchased an eag front winch bumper, a 12,000lb winch, diff covers for re gearing to recommend gear to tire ratio, and my brother has a top notch shop to do everything. I let him cut the fenders on my Silverado and I love my truck lol. He does great work though and I trust him 100%. I love my stock fender flares though, will I have to go to the bigger bushwhacker size?

 

I put bald 33 & cut the fenders on one of my XJ. It was barely rubbing at full flex. If I had put on bump stops it would have been fine.

 

What size lift were you running?

 

wheel it with the 31s first, then think about spending 1000$ on tires, another 1000$ on regear, and then a bunch of more money on lift and drivetrain

 

That thing is beautiful all ready.
Wheel it the way it is first like XJChang said.
The Kiddo's won't care if it has a crazy lift or anything. Just take it out with them and make memories now!

 

no lift

 

I agree with those off road tyres looking good, I would definitely wheel it hard as you can before spending anything on bigger tyres, lifts and re-gearing

A winch is a good idea, it will get you past most obstacles

unless you want to be a hard core rock crawler, in which case you need rock sliders as well

Mine has the above, and its better off road than many other more built vehicles, mainly because its lighter, only has a 2" lift

I think your lift is higher than 2"

Check the archives measure from to of axle to botton of frame rail (I think) is most accurate method

 

I have to get my eag front winch bumper and winch on there, a heavier rear bumper and see how it looks. If it looks like it needs to go up a couple inches that’s what I’ll do. I have a 91 Laredo cluster on the way so I can have tach and oil pressure. From what I understand it’s plug and play other than changing out the sending units? This Jeep will be driven 2-3 times a week and will see the off-road place near me maybe once every couple months depending on how the boys like it. Around where I live I can trade my 31’s for 33’s on Craigslist or marketplace and need to before I wear down the tread on mine too much lol. Appreciate the replies y’all! I’m going to try the measuring trick tomorrow and see what size lift is on there!

 

33s might look cooler but without supporting mods and a couple grand, they will do worse than 31s offroad. You've got a really good-looking jeep as is. I guess you are at 3" lift?

Not to discourage from modifications, if you have plenty of money for regear and long arms go for it. But i regret trying to jump to 5-inch lift and 33s right when I got my jeep, which was on 31s- and 3-inch lift. Now I am still in the process of correcting all the issues that came from it. Bought new 3 inch springs, way to stiff and gave way to much lift, needed a SYE, shackle relocation brackets, new shocks. I would have saved lots of money leaving as is and buying real upgardes. Like lockers and tires

 

I appreciate all the replies and honest input! Ya'll have talked me out of the 33's and lift. I have got to get better gearing though. Im not sure what it has currently but it needs upgraded for sure. Any suggestions on what gearing to go with would be appreciated!