I need a little assistance in choosing my next upgrade. I am currently ~4" with 31" BFG AT's on a 98 XJ, 4.0, AW4, 8.25 (w/Aussie Locker) 3.55 Gears. I have all the parts needed for my 4x4 conversion and will be doing either a long arm upgrade (Serious Offroad) or going up to 33's. I think the less expensive route would be the long arms at this point since I will have to go with either spacers or new rims to accomodate the new tires. Not to mention, the need for better gearing to maintain my sanity.

This rig will mainly be on the rocks and trails of East Texas, not a lot of mud.

So, let me know what you think... also open to your ideas that I may not have considered

Option 1: New Long Arm Upgrade
Option 2: 33" Tires

 

33's, get long arms later

 

I concur.

 

33's will net you some more axle to ground clearance and a wider stance for more stability.

 

Yeah, that is definitely a plus. My biggest concern is going with a 33 while having the 3.55 gears until I am able to go lower. Don't want to wear out the trans prematurely.

 

do gears first, then tires, then long arms

 

You know... I can't believe I didn't think of that. The gear install would be less expensive than both and could be done easily when I swap the front axle over.

You may be on to something here. Thank you for bringing that up.

 

Good 33" tires. More clearance, more traction, good times all around. Stock gears aren't too bad when you're in 4lo.

 

Do the conversion already!

I vote 33's and sell your 31's while they are still worth something. As soon as we really start wheeling that thing those nice BFG's will get chewed up. Long arms can come later (preferably after me). You can also do a lot of wheelin with stock gears, it may suck on the highway but I'm sure you can handle it.

 

Or you could save and do it all at once.

 

gears tires long arms, it isnt the end of the world if you lift a tire while wheeling lol.

The long arms do make for a better ride in general imo.

 

I was wondering how long it would take you to find this. I hope you're ready to pull that beater apart soon. I have been itching to get this done.