NOOO i dont want to cut my fenders!!!

KevinNBrinne

New Member
Joined
May 13, 2007
Location
Kernersville
I just add a 4 1/2 inch lift to my jeep XJ. what size tires can i run with out cuting up a perfectly good jeep. I know... i just dont want to have any rubbing. thanks for any help you can offer:driver: :driver:
 
...and post up what year XJ. It is my understanding that the newer gen XJ (96 and up maybe) have smaller openings, especially up front.
I put a 3" lift on and 31x10.5, there was major rubbing. Instead of trim, I just took off the bumper endcaps with the integrated flares. I still rub the inner splashshield at extreme lock, and that is only crawling thru the parking lot. Here it is before the endcaps came off...
ai51.photobucket.com_albums_f363_RenegadeT_Copyof100_0546.jpg
 
32x11.50s only rubbed on mine in extreme cases, never rubbed with the swaybars in. the front "bumperettes" were my biggest issue...
ai158.photobucket.com_albums_t114_BIG_G1118_Random_20Jeep_20Stuff_0545164_R1_036_16A.jpg

ai158.photobucket.com_albums_t114_BIG_G1118_Random_20Jeep_20Stuff_0545164_R1_040_18A.jpg


i know where you are coming from with not wanting to cut the fenders, i didnt want to cut mine either, but to run my 33s i did some very MINOR trimming, i know you said you dont wanna cut, but its not much...
ai158.photobucket.com_albums_t114_BIG_G1118_Random_20Jeep_20Stuff_P4070053.jpg

right at the bottom of the fender flare (and i had to cut the ARB a little too)
 
BIG_G1118 said:
32x11.50s only rubbed on mine in extreme cases, never rubbed with the swaybars in. the front "bumperettes" were my biggest issue...
ai158.photobucket.com_albums_t114_BIG_G1118_Random_20Jeep_20Stuff_0545164_R1_036_16A.jpg

ai158.photobucket.com_albums_t114_BIG_G1118_Random_20Jeep_20Stuff_0545164_R1_040_18A.jpg

i know where you are coming from with not wanting to cut the fenders, i didnt want to cut mine either, but to run my 33s i did some very MINOR trimming, i know you said you dont wanna cut, but its not much...
ai158.photobucket.com_albums_t114_BIG_G1118_Random_20Jeep_20Stuff_P4070053.jpg

right at the bottom of the fender flare (and i had to cut the ARB a little too)
Click to expand...

sweet RTI ramp. Are you in charlotte for the summer or staying up at ASU?
 
jph0913 said:
32's will rub slightly, you will have to do some minor trimming, but you can keep the stock flares, here is my XJ before I sold it.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2803301310084447596NrfeFs
Click to expand...

ive never heard of anyone havin problems with 32" tires rubbing on a 4 1/2 in lift on an xj...not saying your wrong...ive just never seen that...my buddy has a 99 xj with 4 1/2 in of lift and 32x11.50 and this seems to be the almost perfect setup for dd/trail rig/girl getter...lol...seriously though...it does depend on the year and expectations as far as comfort level...if ur planning on seriousl trail riding you might as well just cutem...ive seen some pretty nice cut fenders that look beautiful for example the one above me...lol....but if you want to dd and just trail ride a little bit...(when u get the chance lol) then 4.5 in of lift with 32x11.50 or 33x11.50 should be ideal but just like the red xj u may have to trim just a bit with the 33s...prolly at the corners would be my guess...still not to much...not gonna hurt the value with that little bit of trimming as long as if u decide to sell it u dont take the lift and tires off...but either way ur only gonna get a certain amount of flex anyway so if ur completely "flexed" and they still dont rub then ur not gonna get anymore out of it by cutting the fenders....prolly already new that but just a thought....alright enough of my blabbering this threads prolly dead already anyway...just felt like putting my input in somewhere it may be useful lol...seriously though i was wondering the same thing a while back so im just relaying the info....
 
What 4.5" lift?

What wheels?

you can run 37's if you want but will need to bumpstop it to where there is no uptravel...

really though, depending on your rigs specs it hard to say go buy a 33 and it'll be fine... are you running any bumpers, winch, roof rack, etc.

A basic 4.5" kit... I think 32's will rub unless you bumpstop it propely.. Basically tire size is all dependent on how well you bumpstop your rig IMO...
 
32's are your best bet for a 4.5 on a xj
 
Been there and said the same thing but i can teel you this from personal experience that it will look better in the long run if you trim them now. I didnt and my second time out my tsl took hold of my fender and turned it into spaghetti. So before you do like me and need a set of new fenders just take your time and cut them. You will be glad you did and wont have to worry about screwing up your fenders and tires.
 
Cut it. I've seen it done where it looks almost factory, and it's not like you're gonna un-build the thing.
 
Bridgmans right i went as far as to buy the buschwhackers but then decided to just cut them we took our time and it turned out nice must people who dont know xj's cant even tell they were cut
 
i started with a rustys 4.5" lift on my xj and ran 32's. if you plan on flexing her out she'll rub. extend your bumpstops. up-travel is over rated anyway.

you can also take off your fender flares and mark a line a little higher (1-3" above existing sheet metal) and cut it, then drill the holes back for the bracket and install your flares higher, looking stock
 
Back
Top