IS SHRINKING!!!!!
The good:
I had to jump on this deal........I got all 5 17" wrangler rubi wheels off c-list for a killer price! Finally luck is on MY side........or is it?

The bad:
The front tires are about 3" from the fender flare down toward the rocker........what can I do BESIDES cutting the fenders or removing the flares?

I have a 3" rusty lift but if I hit a hard bump that tire is into the flare and if I'm doing any wheelin.......fuggeddaboutit!

Is there a less expensive option for getting up to a 4.5 lift without replacing the entire existing lift? I just put this one on in June!
Thanks for the wisdom and *kind* words guys.

P.S. I thought the 17" wheels were too much, but they're starting to grow on me.

 

What size tire are you running? Seems like you'll be hard pressed to keep that setup. You can cut, get more lift, or bump stop like CRAZY.

 

Or you can take off flares cut fenders higher then re install flares

 

JKS ACOS, bumpstop and/or trim

 

I would agree. either lift,trim,or bump stop.

You can add a budget boost to the current lift (spacers/shackles) to get 1-2 more inches out of it. But with going about 4.5" you will need SYE, new control arms (adjustable arms are ideal) brake lines, shocks ect.

I would look into some cut out flares, keep it as low as possible but with as much tire room as possible. but they can be expensive too....

You could also get a 1 inch spacer for the front and put a shackle relocation in the back tog et 1 inch lift and the current shocks "should" but ok with 1 more inch. but you would have to measure to be sure.

 

Wow this is identical to my gf's XJ, hers is an 01 sport, white, 3.5" custom lift on 18" Sahara wheels wrapped in 32's. She has rubbing issues as well but she doesn't wheel it b/c she doesnt want to cut the fenders to gain clearance.

My plan was to buy/make longer control arms to push the axle forward, then trim alittle of the inner fender plastic. The plan here was limit uptravel and maximize down travel.

 

Didn't think it through, didja?

Get rid of the 17s. I think the mods you might have to do to keep them (with the exception of trim/replace flares) just might negate that "killer price" you paid for them. Sell them at a profit & buy something smaller.

 

Your rubbing the rear of your fender well. Do you have stock control arms? A friend of mine had a 3" RC lift and he had the same problem, I game him my RC lower arms from my 4.5" lift and it pushed his axle about 1/2" forward and cured his rubbing. Everyone situation is different but just a though.

 

Geeeeeezzzz! All I wanted was a lift, some good looking wheels and beefy tires all at an affordable price.........is that too much to ask for?
Seriously though, I think the best bet for me for now is to swap out the lca's for aftermarket ones.
If that is done will I have to worry about the geometry of the drive train in the front?
It seriously can't be as easy as replacing a part and calling it a day.....not on a jeep. For every part you replace, there are three that must be replaced in conjunctio for the desired outcome.
Thanks for the advice guys!

 

If your buying arms i would recomend adjustable arms. then you can boost it and adjust them.. or just dial them in as it sits, but some fixed ones should work.

 

Btw, if memory serves, the tires are 255/75/17. Guess I could always drop to a smaller tire.

 

Thanks GorillaXj, I will have to look up the procedure for dialing in the adjustable lca's. I don't do a whole lot of wheeling (evident by the lack of dents) and I don't know a whole lot about the science behind the adjustments of all of the off roading gear so I will need to look into what will be easiest/practical/economical for me and this particular setup.
I had 15" wheels with 225/75/15 tires so this is a large upgrade and I'm still adjusting to it.

 

A smaller tire will give you less sidewall, thereby giving a harsher ride quality. If this is a trade-off you would be happy with, go for it. I still think you should get rid of the wheels. These wheels look sorta similar and are pretty popular. I just can't see modifying my vehicle just to fit some wheels. Seems a bit impractical to me.

Having said that, I do understand that it can get pricey to swap wheels. 6 of one, half dozen of the other ...

 

I think you can run those 17s just fine if you swap down to a smaller tire.

255/75 is just a bit over 32" and when I had a 3" lift on my first XJ my 31s rubbed occasionally.

Those Moabs look great. And remember, you bought them for a reason versus soft 8's or D windows.

 

if ya want to get less rub w/o lifting/trimming, then bumpstops are your answer. look into progressive bumpstops, idk too much about em, but i hear good things. look into the thread by N2O called "LOW COG suspension tips/tricks"
36's on 3" lift w/ minimal trimming and NO rubbing!?!? what??!!