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I am new to this whole jeep thing and I got an all stock 96 jeep xj this past winter and I am planning on modding it. I have already picked out a lift (3" rough country, 1" spacers) and I was recently given 33x12.5 bfg all terrain tires. I plan on cutting my fenders and putting on Napier flat fender flares. I need to know if the tires I was given will fit stock wheels (15x8). If they do what size will I need? If they don't what size wheels should I get? Also, I just found out about bumpstops. I know almost nothing about them but from what I have read it seems like I need them. So what size bumpstops should I get? I do not plan on doing any major wheeling with my jeep but I will be doing some of the lower level stuff.
You should consider another lift for sure a quality full leaf/coil package that includes new shocks for that size of lift and new hardware for the install an excellent quality budget 3" lift with all of these from Rustys Off Road cost $438. The only other item needed with a 3" lift is an adj. track bar, sway bar disconnect and in some cases a transfer case drop kit.
Those are not a 15x8" wheel they are a 7" wheel. You will need a set of 15x8" with 3.75" of BS for the 33x12:50x15's as that is what I run on mine. Steel wheels are cheap from Summit or Jegs <$45 and have free shipping on them remember you will 5 of the same size tires and wheels to have a spare.
Here is an old photo of my 99 XJ with the Rustys 3" lift on it with trimmed fenders running 33x12:50x15's. This same setup is used for my 4 1/2" lift that I now have.
Heres my rig as it sits with a 3" lift with and a .75 spacer up front, some shackle mods in the rear ending in about and inch of lift, and a modest trim. make sure you get longer lower control arms, but if you can afford them get something adjustable, and you will need to run 4" of backspacing or less on the wheels. Spacers work new correct size wheels are best.
Also ran the thing with just the 3" lift and 33s for a while with not really issues. Still no bump stops and I wheel it pretty good now and then.
Just lifted a friends cherokee 3" and the lower control arms are definitely the limiting factor. They hit the brackets without too much effort. Jeep seems to handle fine though. rims with less backspacing would definitely be recommended. I run crager soft 8's simply because they are cheap. If your going to be doing a lot of wheeling, adjust your bump stops. Once its lifted, if you have a place to flex the Jeep, you can measure the lengths for the bump stops. You want your bump stops to stop the axle before the shock gets maxed out or the tire hits the fender.
I also wouldn't recommend rough country. Haven't ridden in a cherokee with it, but in many wranglers and they all ride rough. The Zone lift I installed seems to ride pretty well.
07-06-2015, 02:32 PM
33x12.5 tires on 3" suspension 1"spacers
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