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- Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ 1993 to 1998 Tires General Information and Specs
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Moderator of Jeeps
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 3
From: Frederick, MD from Cleveland, OH
Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
I have a '89 comanche 4x4. I installed a 3" RC lift and put 31x10.50x15 tires on stock aluminum wheels. My front tires rub when I turn the wheel all the way. I thought that I could get by with 31" tires with a 3" lift. Do i need different wheels, or spacers.....or??? It's not that big a deal and i can get by with it as it is, but I really want it to be right. I like the 31" tires and want to keep them. I'm thinking that a bigger lift won't help, as the tires do not appear to be rubbing on the body, and I really don't want a bigger lift as i like the looks of the truck on the 3". Any advice is greatly appreciated.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Alright, here's my problem: I have some 33/15.50/15 TSLs on 15/12 soft 8s I'm putting on my jeep which is sitting at 5" of lift. NOTE: the wheels are 5.5 bolt pattern so there are 1.25" wide adapters in there. My fenders are presently untrimmed because I've been running 31"s. So I took one of the front tires off tonight and did some measuring to see how much I need to trim and was surprised to find that to clear the tires at full lock, I would have to trim to less than 3 inches from the door. Now from what I've seen, trimmed fenders don't extend that far back. Is there something I've failed to consider or when running bigger tires do you just have to limit how far you turn? From my measurements, even a 10.5" wide 33" tire would go back this far. I've done some searching and haven't found an answer so any help would be appreciated 
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 8
From: San Jose
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Alright, here's my problem: I have some 33/15.50/15 TSLs on 15/12 soft 8s I'm putting on my jeep which is sitting at 5" of lift. NOTE: the wheels are 5.5 bolt pattern so there are 1.25" wide adapters in there. My fenders are presently untrimmed because I've been running 31"s. So I took one of the front tires off tonight and did some measuring to see how much I need to trim and was surprised to find that to clear the tires at full lock, I would have to trim to less than 3 inches from the door. Now from what I've seen, trimmed fenders don't extend that far back. Is there something I've failed to consider or when running bigger tires do you just have to limit how far you turn? From my measurements, even a 10.5" wide 33" tire would go back this far. I've done some searching and haven't found an answer so any help would be appreciated
In the front, take a sharpie and mark the outside of the flare on the fender. Cut along the line.
In the rear you can not do the same thing, you need to remove the flare, take off the first edge of the fender, and then cut in-between the spot welds up to the next edge and fold the tabs back. There's a bunch of threads on this, look it up.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 in-line 6
okay so ive been researching for what seems like forever now, I have decided to go with re 3.5" super flex short arm lift kit No-Shocks http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...pn=R%2fERE6030 , 5100 series bilstein shocks http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...hockingBIL5100, and some 33x12.50r15 SS TSL radials http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tires/33x..._pn=SSTSAM-79R. im going to buy new rims since all i have is 17" ones and its just as cheap to get new ones as it is for me to buy tires that fit them, heres what im looking at http://www.4wheelparts.com/Wheels/Se..._pn=PCW98-5873 plus i can get the tires i want more. seems like plenty of people can fit the 33's with the 3.5" lift with fender trimming so that is what im doing. so heres my questions, there are a few of them,,
1. what rim width should i get? 8"? pretty sure my stock lugs are 5x5.. i measured a bunch of times, from center of one hole to far edge of adjacent hole, this is correct right?
2. what backspacing would be recommended if any?
3. and just to confirm from someone who has done a 3.5" lift with 33" tires, i will not require a re-gear, t-case drop, sye kit, or adjustable track bar right?
4. the kit im looking at only comes with the lower control arms, and retain the uppers that already are on the jeep, would you recommend getting new upper ones too? or will i be fine with the old one paired with the new lower ones?
5. also im not going to buy this all from 4 wheel parts store unless they have best prices, just easier to navigate their web site for links and questions, any suggestions and stores that may be cheaper? i will be shopping around for a while im sure.
6. anyone think i should or need anything else? id love suggestions and opinions or suggestions or ideas or heck, even just feedback about anything that i may want to do to this beauty!
THANKS FOR THE HELP ALL! i look forward to doing this build. this is only the beginning.
1. what rim width should i get? 8"? pretty sure my stock lugs are 5x5.. i measured a bunch of times, from center of one hole to far edge of adjacent hole, this is correct right?
2. what backspacing would be recommended if any?
3. and just to confirm from someone who has done a 3.5" lift with 33" tires, i will not require a re-gear, t-case drop, sye kit, or adjustable track bar right?
4. the kit im looking at only comes with the lower control arms, and retain the uppers that already are on the jeep, would you recommend getting new upper ones too? or will i be fine with the old one paired with the new lower ones?
5. also im not going to buy this all from 4 wheel parts store unless they have best prices, just easier to navigate their web site for links and questions, any suggestions and stores that may be cheaper? i will be shopping around for a while im sure.
6. anyone think i should or need anything else? id love suggestions and opinions or suggestions or ideas or heck, even just feedback about anything that i may want to do to this beauty!
THANKS FOR THE HELP ALL! i look forward to doing this build. this is only the beginning.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
okay so ive been researching for what seems like forever now, I have decided to go with re 3.5" super flex short arm lift kit No-Shocks http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...pn=R%2fERE6030 , 5100 series bilstein shocks http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...hockingBIL5100, and some 33x12.50r15 SS TSL radials http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tires/33x..._pn=SSTSAM-79R. im going to buy new rims since all i have is 17" ones and its just as cheap to get new ones as it is for me to buy tires that fit them, heres what im looking at http://www.4wheelparts.com/Wheels/Se..._pn=PCW98-5873 plus i can get the tires i want more. seems like plenty of people can fit the 33's with the 3.5" lift with fender trimming so that is what im doing. so heres my questions, there are a few of them,,
1. what rim width should i get? 8"? pretty sure my stock lugs are 5x5.. i measured a bunch of times, from center of one hole to far edge of adjacent hole, this is correct right?
2. what backspacing would be recommended if any?
3. and just to confirm from someone who has done a 3.5" lift with 33" tires, i will not require a re-gear, t-case drop, sye kit, or adjustable track bar right?
4. the kit im looking at only comes with the lower control arms, and retain the uppers that already are on the jeep, would you recommend getting new upper ones too? or will i be fine with the old one paired with the new lower ones?
5. also im not going to buy this all from 4 wheel parts store unless they have best prices, just easier to navigate their web site for links and questions, any suggestions and stores that may be cheaper? i will be shopping around for a while im sure.
6. anyone think i should or need anything else? id love suggestions and opinions or suggestions or ideas or heck, even just feedback about anything that i may want to do to this beauty!
THANKS FOR THE HELP ALL! i look forward to doing this build. this is only the beginning.
1. what rim width should i get? 8"? pretty sure my stock lugs are 5x5.. i measured a bunch of times, from center of one hole to far edge of adjacent hole, this is correct right?
2. what backspacing would be recommended if any?
3. and just to confirm from someone who has done a 3.5" lift with 33" tires, i will not require a re-gear, t-case drop, sye kit, or adjustable track bar right?
4. the kit im looking at only comes with the lower control arms, and retain the uppers that already are on the jeep, would you recommend getting new upper ones too? or will i be fine with the old one paired with the new lower ones?
5. also im not going to buy this all from 4 wheel parts store unless they have best prices, just easier to navigate their web site for links and questions, any suggestions and stores that may be cheaper? i will be shopping around for a while im sure.
6. anyone think i should or need anything else? id love suggestions and opinions or suggestions or ideas or heck, even just feedback about anything that i may want to do to this beauty!
THANKS FOR THE HELP ALL! i look forward to doing this build. this is only the beginning.
As for re-gear... it'll be sluggish on 33s and stock gears, but you don't NEED a re-gear. You might want to get a t-case drop. You might want to get a track bar. SYE depends on whether or not you get the t-case drop or not. It also has a lot to do with your t-case/transmission/axle combo.
Uppers should be fine.
Last edited by tssguy123; Dec 14, 2013 at 04:14 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,016
Likes: 11
From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
okay so ive been researching for what seems like forever now, I have decided to go with re 3.5" super flex short arm lift kit No-Shocks http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...pn=R%2fERE6030 , 5100 series bilstein shocks http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...hockingBIL5100, and some 33x12.50r15 SS TSL radials http://www.4wheelparts.com/Tires/33x..._pn=SSTSAM-79R. im going to buy new rims since all i have is 17" ones and its just as cheap to get new ones as it is for me to buy tires that fit them, heres what im looking at http://www.4wheelparts.com/Wheels/Se..._pn=PCW98-5873 plus i can get the tires i want more. seems like plenty of people can fit the 33's with the 3.5" lift with fender trimming so that is what im doing. so heres my questions, there are a few of them,,
1. what rim width should i get? 8"? pretty sure my stock lugs are 5x5.. i measured a bunch of times, from center of one hole to far edge of adjacent hole, this is correct right?
I'd suggest an 8" wide rim. No. If you have a 1994 XJ like your profile suggests the bolt pattern is 5x4.5.
2. what backspacing would be recommended if any?
That depends on how wide you want it to be. If you want it to be a little wider then choose 3.5" backspacing. If you want the tires tucked under the flares then choose 4..5". With the 33's on the smaller lift then I'd go with the 3.5" or less backspacing. You want the tires as far away from the lower control arms as possible without it lookign goofy.
3. and just to confirm from someone who has done a 3.5" lift with 33" tires, i will not require a re-gear, t-case drop, sye kit, or adjustable track bar right?
Re-gear? Yes, I would. You don't HAVE to but your transmission will hate you. 33" tires on a stock 4.0/aw4 combo calls for 4.56 gears. It makes a big difference. At the very least I'd suggest a transmission cooler until you can get it geared.
T-case drop? Never. Half *** bandaid kit that causes more issues than it solves.
SYE? Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on how it acts after the lift. Every Jeep I own or have ever owned has had a SYE. Whether it had 1" of lift or 5" of lift.
Adjustable track bar? Yes. At 3.5" of lift you need an adjustable track bar. Some people redrill the hole but, IMO, that's half assed too. Just do it right the first time.
4. the kit im looking at only comes with the lower control arms, and retain the uppers that already are on the jeep, would you recommend getting new upper ones too? or will i be fine with the old one paired with the new lower ones?
You'll be fine with stock uppers.
5. also im not going to buy this all from 4 wheel parts store unless they have best prices, just easier to navigate their web site for links and questions, any suggestions and stores that may be cheaper? i will be shopping around for a while im sure.
Look in the vendor section. There's always CF vendors running specials. As for forum member discounts.
6. anyone think i should or need anything else? id love suggestions and opinions or suggestions or ideas or heck, even just feedback about anything that i may want to do to this beauty!
Do it once. Do it right.
THANKS FOR THE HELP ALL! i look forward to doing this build. this is only the beginning.
1. what rim width should i get? 8"? pretty sure my stock lugs are 5x5.. i measured a bunch of times, from center of one hole to far edge of adjacent hole, this is correct right?
I'd suggest an 8" wide rim. No. If you have a 1994 XJ like your profile suggests the bolt pattern is 5x4.5.
2. what backspacing would be recommended if any?
That depends on how wide you want it to be. If you want it to be a little wider then choose 3.5" backspacing. If you want the tires tucked under the flares then choose 4..5". With the 33's on the smaller lift then I'd go with the 3.5" or less backspacing. You want the tires as far away from the lower control arms as possible without it lookign goofy.
3. and just to confirm from someone who has done a 3.5" lift with 33" tires, i will not require a re-gear, t-case drop, sye kit, or adjustable track bar right?
Re-gear? Yes, I would. You don't HAVE to but your transmission will hate you. 33" tires on a stock 4.0/aw4 combo calls for 4.56 gears. It makes a big difference. At the very least I'd suggest a transmission cooler until you can get it geared.
T-case drop? Never. Half *** bandaid kit that causes more issues than it solves.
SYE? Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on how it acts after the lift. Every Jeep I own or have ever owned has had a SYE. Whether it had 1" of lift or 5" of lift.
Adjustable track bar? Yes. At 3.5" of lift you need an adjustable track bar. Some people redrill the hole but, IMO, that's half assed too. Just do it right the first time.
4. the kit im looking at only comes with the lower control arms, and retain the uppers that already are on the jeep, would you recommend getting new upper ones too? or will i be fine with the old one paired with the new lower ones?
You'll be fine with stock uppers.
5. also im not going to buy this all from 4 wheel parts store unless they have best prices, just easier to navigate their web site for links and questions, any suggestions and stores that may be cheaper? i will be shopping around for a while im sure.
Look in the vendor section. There's always CF vendors running specials. As for forum member discounts.
6. anyone think i should or need anything else? id love suggestions and opinions or suggestions or ideas or heck, even just feedback about anything that i may want to do to this beauty!
Do it once. Do it right.
THANKS FOR THE HELP ALL! i look forward to doing this build. this is only the beginning.
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 152
Likes: 1
From: Lansing / Ortonville Michigan
Year: 1987 / 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
I purchased a Rubicon Express RE1415 2" Add-A-Leaf for Jeep XJ and already had a over the spring helper to correct the sag I had from tired springs. Now the bolt kit I bought came with a 1" spacer lift block. That would put me at a 3" lift. My question is at 3" will the stock setup be ok? Or will I need different shocks? Sway bar ends? Drive shaft issues? I don't really have a need for the 1" block I just thought since I have it and it is already apart I might put it in for the extra lift but if it is going cause me any headache it is certainly not worth it. Can I get away with a 3" lift with out two much trouble?
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
How much lift do you have?
In the front, take a sharpie and mark the outside of the flare on the fender. Cut along the line.
In the rear you can not do the same thing, you need to remove the flare, take off the first edge of the fender, and then cut in-between the spot welds up to the next edge and fold the tabs back. There's a bunch of threads on this, look it up.
In the front, take a sharpie and mark the outside of the flare on the fender. Cut along the line.
In the rear you can not do the same thing, you need to remove the flare, take off the first edge of the fender, and then cut in-between the spot welds up to the next edge and fold the tabs back. There's a bunch of threads on this, look it up.
1. Does running bigger tires normally restrict turn radius?
2. Does trimming to 3" or so back from the outside of the stock fender flare seem excessive to anyone but me?
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Clinton, SC
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I have 5" of lift. I know how to trim; that not my problem. I guess I have two questions essentially:
1. Does running bigger tires normally restrict turn radius?
2. Does trimming to 3" or so back from the outside of the stock fender flare seem excessive to anyone but me?
1. Does running bigger tires normally restrict turn radius?
2. Does trimming to 3" or so back from the outside of the stock fender flare seem excessive to anyone but me?
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 1
From: Wilmington,NC
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I purchased a Rubicon Express RE1415 2" Add-A-Leaf for Jeep XJ and already had a over the spring helper to correct the sag I had from tired springs. Now the bolt kit I bought came with a 1" spacer lift block. That would put me at a 3" lift. My question is at 3" will the stock setup be ok? Or will I need different shocks? Sway bar ends? Drive shaft issues? I don't really have a need for the 1" block I just thought since I have it and it is already apart I might put it in for the extra lift but if it is going cause me any headache it is certainly not worth it. Can I get away with a 3" lift with out two much trouble?
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 6
From: Mercer County, NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 152
Likes: 1
From: Lansing / Ortonville Michigan
Year: 1987 / 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
So what about if I just stay at the 2" I don't really need to go that high my tires fit just fine under it currently. The only reason I lifted it at all was trying to fix the sagging springs so I can pull a small trailer. At 2" will I need a sye? I would like to avoid another $200. So I should be ok with the stock shocks at 2"? I bought that add a leaf kit because it was cheaper than what I would pay at a junkyard for leafs to do a bastard pack that way.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 6
From: Mercer County, NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
So what about if I just stay at the 2" I don't really need to go that high my tires fit just fine under it currently. The only reason I lifted it at all was trying to fix the sagging springs so I can pull a small trailer. At 2" will I need a sye? I would like to avoid another $200. So I should be ok with the stock shocks at 2"? I bought that add a leaf kit because it was cheaper than what I would pay at a junkyard for leafs to do a bastard pack that way.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 in-line 6
anyone have any opinions on the tires, mickey thompson baja claw radials, or dick cepeil bone crushers that they would like to share with me? trying to decide on some new tires at a reasonable price. looking for 31x10.50r15, or possibly 31x12.50r15... or any brand for that matter.. thanks