Need to upgrade to 33"

[boomer818]

OK here is the ditty, my friend just got a 2011 Jeep wrangler unlimited X with pro-comp 4" lift and 35" pro-comp mud tires. Now this cant stand! My 2010 X offload is stock and something needs to be done with it. So this is my question, I want get 33" BFG mud tires and need to know how much lift i need to do to fit them with out rubbing. But the catch is I really don't have the cash flow for a full blown suspension lift. Any advice you all have will be greatly appreciated.

[Brian (#2)]

I haven't done this yet, but you can fit 33" tires without a lift from what I have read on the interwebs.  You may have to "melt" the inner fender liner and push it in to prevent rubbing.  Also, depending on how wide the tire is you may have rubbing issues with the frame at full lock. 

Hope that helps...thenewx.org has a how-to you may want to read.  I'm still debating if I want to do this or not.  I really like the way 33" tires look even without the lift, but I'm not sure I like the added weight for MPG and potential drive train issues.

[guywithpups]

I'm running 33" tires...I did the melt mod on my inner fenders, was fairly easy.  I still get some rubbing when I stuff the tires and also some rubbing at full lock -- however neither seems to be damaging the tire any.

It did do a number on my miles per gallon -- I went from 15.5 mpg to 14.25 mpg.  Plus keep in mind your speedo will be off.  I calculate my mileage based on the trip computer on my GPS to compensate for this.

My plan is to get a set of street tires when money allows and drop back to the standard 32" tires for that set.

[boomer818]

Im not worried about mpg but i would still like to lift it

[guywithpups]

I should also mention I did a 2 - 3" suspension lift first, before switching to the 33"s

[boomer818]

thanks guywithpups, what kind of lift did you do?

[guywithpups]

Front is a set of RadFlo 2.5" coilovers with 600 lbs springs and PRG UCAs
Rear is a set of Deaver full replacement leaf packs, PRG adjustable shackles, and RadFlo rear emulsion shocks.  Also removed the rear sway bar.

Front lift is like 2.75", rear is like 3"

I've only had the lift installed about a month or so, so haven't had a chance to try it off road.  On road has its moments of wishing I was back at stock and other moments that make me smile.  I still need to add some shims on the rear to fix things in the 35-40 mph range, and I ordered a U-bolt flip kit from PRG that I hope to install at the same time as the shims.

The happiest I've been with the new suspension was helping a friend this weekend move from Twin Peaks to down the hill -- loaded the X full of boxes and what not and the rear barely settled.  And the ride down the 18 was smooth as glass -- I turned off overdrive and barely touched the gas or the brakes nearly the whole trip down. 

But you know what they say, your mileage may vary... :-)

[boomer818]

cool thanks. I will look into Rad flo

[superslidestyle]

To safely FIT 33s, you could try a 3" body lift.