djlarroc

Wondering what you guys think affects the driveability of a lifted XJ.

Do wider tires, or bigger lift most negatively affect the driveability?

Will a taller veh with narrower tires drive better than a lower veh with wider tires?

I want to go from 31s to 33s, and trying to figure out the best way to do it.

XJ-92

well i have a 4in lift and i ran it with 32x11.5 tires and it was fine. then i upgraded to 35x12.5 with a deeper backspacing on the wheel. it handles 10x better now that its wider.

djlarroc

it doesn't wander more on you now?

MountiansRcool

lifting and putting bigger tires will always make it less road worthy than a stock xj................................................ .................................................. ...........

Gee oh Dee

I have been doing small upgrades to my wife's TJ.

First went with better backspaced rims and 31s instead of 29s or 30s.

Thing would handle like a go cart. I felt more comfortable taking clover turns than ever, and often tried pushing the limits.

Now its also got a 2" puck lift. Spring rate got stiffer, and it needs aligned. But it doesn't handle well anymore.

These aren't exactly race cars either, tho.

djlarroc

I guess I will just have to find out on my own.

Shooting for 33x12.50 and 2.5" lift. Only thing is once I trim my fenders, that is the only thing, I can't undo.

sreeb

With the 12.50s you will need to get the back spacing right and the tire will be a couple of inches outside the fenders.

CPCP-94XJ

2.5" lift total? thats border line for 33s.... is this a DD? how argessive are you off road? with the right offset and trim / bump stops im sure you will be fine but if you get flexed out, you will rub... i have 33's and im going from a 3" to 4 3/4" (already trimmed and bumped) but i also removed my sway bars so it tends to flex easier. i have NO concern on onroad drivability, it drives like a jalopy, but off road its a pimp.

kirknd4spd

He will be fine at 2.5". I'm at 1.5" running 33's, very minimal trimming, no sway bars, no rubbing, and I wheel it hard.

Mine still drives and handles fine. I like the way it drives now better than when it was stock. But my MJ didn't drive good at all with 4.5" lift and 31's. Huge lifts just don't handle as well.

Gee oh Dee

You can always buy new front fenders.

And just make sure you bump stop correctly.

CPCP-94XJ

really! nuttyness, low COG fo sho!

mrfajita

I run 2.5 and 33s, and I have room for 35s. Just set it up with little up travel by bump stopping and long shocks for more droop

CPCP-94XJ

dont mean to thread jack, but how long are your bumpstops.
with the longer shocks, i figure the axle is still able to droop far enough using the BS as the pivot point?

im into the low COG thing, xjs are too skinny with stock axles to be lifting to high.

Xj88

FWIW I ran 35x12.50x17" BFG KM2s on the dumb *** lift the idiot PO put on.
3" Spacers, 3" blocks.

Trimed fenders, and handled pretty good SupAH stable.

My last xj on 4.5" 3 link, 35x12.50 MTZs handled like a dream.

djlarroc

I have an extra set of wheels that are 15x8, 3.75 BS. W/the 12.50s, and aftermarket flares, I should be right at the edge. I gotta have flares on my junk. Just a preference of mine.

I have a plan in my head lol.. It should work w/the wheels, adj CAs, and flares. If you want to stuff a 33, you have to trim. I don't beat on my rig, I like a clean body, but it gets wheeled almost every weekend. Some scenic trails, some forest roads, some rocks, but it gets out a lot. Alot of my camping trips are 3-400 miles round trip, so that's why the driveability concerns me so much. 31x9.50 tires that I have on there now, drive extremely well.
I'm bumpstopped pretty aggressively now, and running 11" travel shocks. Swapping in a double shear TB, and see how much better it droops. I figure, it's easier for me to lift higher and if I don't like how it drives/feels, then I can bring it back down, and cut the fenders. Will just have some parts to sell at that point.