Question about tire size

[JeepURE]

Would it be possible to put bigger tires on my jeep without a lift and not have any 'problems' while driving (i.e.- tires rubbing) if I removed the plastic fenders(see side pic) that are on it? I'd like to go up to 33's. I have 31's on right now, and the wheels that i have now stick out some (see back pic). I don't do a lot of wheeling, but I'd like to run slightly bigger tires if at all possible to give a little more ground clearance. I'd rather not cut the fenders b/c it's not paid off yet and I really can't afford a lift kit. What do you guys think?

 

[rbo1577186]

1. Pay it off first.

2. Use freed up payment money for a lift kit.

3. In the meantime wear out the tires you already have.

33's will rub too much with no lift. You could spend $200 or less on a body lift that should fit bigger tires.

 

[Reid]

xs 2

 

[JeepURE]

thanks for the input

 

[Rox&Mud]

1. Pay it off first.
2. Use freed up payment money for a lift kit.
3. In the meantime wear out the tires you already have.
33's will rub too much with no lift. You could spend $200 or less on a body lift that should fit bigger tires.

The only issue with the above quote is if your tires are already worn out and your needing to replace them. Since you have a '94 YJ, according to your bio, hopefully you don't have to too far to go to pay it off. So, if you have to replace the tires I would go ahead and say get the 33's and trim as necessary, lower you bump stops, add a set of shackles or what ever combination of adjustments you decide on to get through until you an afford a good lift. BTW here's a PN for some 2" shackles got to buy 2 kits though but it's only a hundred bucks, JC Whitney ZX529063W.

 

[JeepURE]

The only issue with the above quote is if your tires are already worn out and your needing to replace them. Since you have a '94 YJ, according to your bio, hopefully you don't have to too far to go to pay it off. So, if you have to replace the tires I would go ahead and say get the 33's and trim as necessary, lower you bump stops, add a set of shackles or what ever combination of adjustments you decide on to get through until you an afford a good lift. BTW here's a PN for some 2" shackles got to buy 2 kits though but it's only a hundred bucks, JC Whitney ZX529063W.

It is a 94 Yj. My tires are still in pretty good shape right now. Probably about 80% left on them. I was just trying to get some thoughts together. What exactly does a shackle kit do? Use the stock springs to lift? When you say lower the bump stops, do you mean get bigger ones that would decrease suspension travel, or smaller ones to increase travel? I'm still pretty new to the off road scene, especially suspension tech, even though I've been on here for a year.

 

[RenegadeT]

It is a 94 Yj. My tires are still in pretty good shape right now. Probably about 80% left on them. I was just trying to get some thoughts together. What exactly does a shackle kit do? Use the stock springs to lift? When you say lower the bump stops, do you mean get bigger ones that would decrease suspension travel, or smaller ones to increase travel? I'm still pretty new to the off road scene, especially suspension tech, even though I've been on here for a year.

shackle lift replaces you current shackle with one x" longer, generating about half of x" lift. If it is too large, you start getting into issues with the pinion being rotated too much, this is usaully not an issue though. Up front if you get too big, you can rotate the axle into a bad caster zone and your steering will suck. 76-86 CJs are pretty sensitive to this (firsthand experience speaking), it seems like YJs are more tolerant of longer shackles.

lowering the bumpstops means larger rubber bumpstops, or some metal bracket between the frame and rubber bumbstop, or even an extra chunk of metal on teh axle end to decrease the gap between the bumpstop and axle. The idea is to reduce suspension up-travel, keeping the larger tire out of the sheet metal. Trimming the offending sheet metal is more desirable alternative from an off-roading perspective, since you can keep the up-travel.

 

[JeepURE]

thanks for the info. so a 2" shackle will be about a 1" lift. does a shackle kit affect the ride quality? i gotcha on the bump stops. that's what i thought.

if i were to do a 2" shackle kit and a 1" body lift, i'd have about 2" of lift to put tires on, right? lower the bump stops and then i wouldn't have to worry as much about tire rub.

 

[sheepaleep]

that sounds like a good plan with the shackles and small body lift you should be fine with 33's with the bigger bump stops.

 

[jds97Wrangler]

Not totally formilar with the YJ but I am pretty sure you need more then 2 inches of lift to wheel comfortable with 33's. But if your not looking to twist it up real bad and stay on pretty flat surface 2" should work. It won't be as much the height as the width of a 33 that will give you the problem in the front. Just have to be real carefull not jam the tire into the fender.

 

[JeepURE]

right now i'm running 31x10.50 tires. i know they make 33x10.50 but i don't think i'd like them.

 

[raleighjeep]

rims

using after market rims with more offset than stock rims will help or fix the tire rub issue

 

[y2kcrawler]

Go with a 2" body ($100 - $150) and a 2" shackle lift. You should be straight. You'll spend about $300 but hey, if you want it done right and not encounter problems later on down the road spend the cash. Labor is costly, so find someone helpful and knowledgable and willing to give a hand if you want it done right.

Or you can use blocks of wood for a reverse shackle lift and hocky pucks for the body lift... but you probably wont see your next birthday if you do that.

Unfortunately, with lifting there will be some add ons you will need. At some point a Slip Yoke Eliminator (SYE) to eliminate the extreme angle of your drivetrain and/or oil pan spacer is a cheaper alternative but not always better. Ive only lifted at TJ so I may be wrong but I think I am steering you in the right direction.

 

[Ron]

Go with a 2" body ($100 - $150) and a 2" shackle lift. You should be straight. You'll spend about $300 but hey, if you want it done right and not encounter problems later on down the road spend the cash. Labor is costly, so find someone helpful and knowledgable and willing to give a hand if you want it done right.
Or you can use blocks of wood for a reverse shackle lift and hocky pucks for the body lift... but you probably wont see your next birthday if you do that.
Unfortunately, with lifting there will be some add ons you will need. At some point a Slip Yoke Eliminator (SYE) to eliminate the extreme angle of your drivetrain and/or oil pan spacer is a cheaper alternative but not always better. Ive only lifted at TJ so I may be wrong but I think I am steering you in the right direction.

Of course (just to cloud the issue) for ~ $400 you could get a cheaper 4 spring lift....wont be the flexiest thing ever (not that stock springs shackles and body are gone flex like crazy either) but there are several economic lit kit options.....OR you could make some custom packs...thats one of the beauties of 4 leafs.

that said, totally pay the dern thing off before you drop a dime.

it would suck ass to wreck the thing somehow and then realize you have a 300 lift and 500 in new tires....and you cant dirve it, yet you still have to make payments.


IMO anything on payments prolly needs to stay on the road...

 

[Rox&Mud]

Not totally formilar with the YJ but I am pretty sure you need more then 2 inches of lift to wheel comfortable with 33's. But if your not looking to twist it up real bad and stay on pretty flat surface 2" should work. It won't be as much the height as the width of a 33 that will give you the problem in the front. Just have to be real carefull not jam the tire into the fender.

Well according to his original post he wanted 33's on a budget until he could afford a better/nicer lift. Since he is running 31's now a 2" shackle should take care of the height. If he changes width well then he may need that body lift.

right now i'm running 31x10.50 tires. i know they make 33x10.50 but i don't think i'd like them.

Remember, going from a 31 to a 33 only adds 1 in over the axle depending on tire brand. Changing tire width will make a bigger difference especially with the tire stuffed and turned. I got 33's on my ZJ, if you want to come up one weekend and try them on to see how they fit let me know.

Of course (just to cloud the issue) for ~ $400 you could get a cheaper 4 spring lift....wont be the flexiest thing ever (not that stock springs shackles and body are gone flex like crazy either) but there are several economic lit kit options.....OR you could make some custom packs...thats one of the beauties of 4 leafs.
that said, totally pay the dern thing off before you drop a dime.
it would suck ass to wreck the thing somehow and then realize you have a 300 lift and 500 in new tires....and you cant dirve it, yet you still have to make payments.
IMO anything on payments prolly needs to stay on the road...

I agree it's better to have it paid for before modifying it, although I didn't. That said IMHO, if he is going to go ahead and get the 33's he should either go big and get the right lift now or go as budget as he can, w/out endangering himself or the Jeep, so he won't be wasting too much money when he rips it off for the real lift later.