Getting serious ...tires ???

[SANDBLASTER]

OK ,I have found a pretty good deal on a set of 33X1250X15 BFG AT's...
BUT: My 1981 CJ7 is as follows...
3 inch lift on stock rims with 31x1050x15 tires and 331 gears and two piece rear axle...ETC!
SO! 1.can I run these tires WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS,
2.do I need different rims, 3.ETC! ETC!
NOTE: I will only be off road a little and mostly street but would like to be off road ready ( no rock climbing ) Just dirt and hills.
THANKS , DANNY

 

[gert]

If I remember correctly you need 4" min to clear 33in tires so you might wanna get a body lift to get the last bit of clearance you need and the tires should work fine with your rims BTW 2 peice axles suck, the bigger tires will put more stress on the hub of the axle causing it to strip out faster

 

[SANDBLASTER]

I really need all the input on this I can get. THANKS

 

[Buuushman]

Isn't it better to go with a 10" wide rim to run 12.5" wide rubber?
Definitely go with solid axles- too many ways to destroy stock 2 piece units- the bigger tires will put more stress on them than they were designed for. I got mine from Crown- relatively inexpensive- I know there are better ones out there but they were what I could afford at the time and they have worked well for me.

 

[IOPort51]

IMO
I would not lay awake nights worrying about the axles, you will be OK. I think you will need 8” wheels and the 3” lift may be just a bit short but you can run the tires if you don’t get crazy until you can put a one or two inch lift on the body. If you find you do need it.
I would recommend 31 inch tires on 8 inch wheels but that’s just me. I think the ratio you have will be a bit anemic with the 33’s and I think you will enjoy daily driving more with the 31’s. One way or the other I think you will need new wheels.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

you need 15x8" wheels, its better to run the 8s with a 12.50 tire if your going to do any offroading because they will hold the bead better if you want to air em down some, plus i think they look better that way. i'm running 2.73 gears with 33s it does ok not great but ok, so you won't have a major problem with 3.31s. i'd recommend doing the one piece axle upgrade soon, but you'll probably be ok as long as you take it easy. and you can get by with the 3" lift untill you put on a small body lift

 

[BrockGrimes]

I ran 33x14.50x15 on a 4" lift and the tire would rub on the leaf springs at full lock.
Those 12.50's shouldn't have a problem, but if you flex it out they may.
I say buy'em try them out if they rub yank'em for the 31's and reinstall once you have a larger lift.

 

[Petescj]

Like stated above you should go with at least a 8 in wide rim. 4 in. of lift will get you the clearance you need for no rub at full articulation. That said you can fit your 33s with less. I have 33s on my CJ7 with 2 1/2 in. springs and no lift aftermarket shackles. They rub under full compression but don't show any adverse affects on the road or for light wheeling. I wouldn't sweat the 2 piece axles for the type of wheeling you describe either. Just keep in mind it would be a good upgrade at a later date as well as a aftermarket steering box brace. Here's a pic of my CJ7 with the 33s on about 3 in. of lift total.

 

[mylittlecj5]

FWIW, I ran a '83 CJ7 with NO lift on 33x12.50s. light trails and lostly street. Had some rubbing issues, but not enough to worry about.

 

[BajaEdition]

Tune the bumpstops for the tires, and run the 8 inch rim,I air down to 12 pounds with 8 inch rims, would role the beads on 10 inch rims that low

 

[SANDBLASTER]

NO MORE comments ? come on JEEPERS give It to me...
Your opinion that is
I 'm getting ready to spend some serious money here and need your input...

 

[cj5 guy]

NO MORE comments ? come on JEEPERS give It to me...
Your opinion that is
I 'm getting ready to spend some serious money here and need your input...

in all seriousness my dad has a 1 1/2 lift on his jeep and 33x12.5x15 on a 15x10in wheel. no rubbing but he doesnt do a whole lot of offroadin with her either she is a show jeep. however the other CJ5 has a 3 in lift and different shackles not sure how big with 33's and no rubbing at all.