WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Tires or Lift?

[Az84cj7]

I have a 2.5" Rancho spring lift with the 1" heavy duty shackles on my 84 cj. Tires are 33's. When im out in the back country my tires rub my plastic fender flares a little bit. Its not damaging anything but it a little annoying. Im just about due for some new tires so should I go down to 32's or stay with 33's and do a 1" body lift? Whatcha think?

 

[IOPort51]

I have run 33s with a 2.5 spring and a 1 inch body lift and it was good and had no rubbing problems. With that being said,I like 31 inch tires, they are comfortable and easy to drive. So I have 2.5+1 with 31 inch RTAs, If you have never driven with the smaller wheels you may want to give it a try.
That was no help, was it.

I have a 2.5" Rancho spring lift with the 1" heavy duty shackles on my 84 cj. Tires are 33's. When im out in the back country my tires rub my plastic fender flares a little bit. Its not damaging anything but it a little annoying. Im just about due for some new tires so should I go down to 32's or stay with 33's and do a 1" body lift? Whatcha think?

 

[CJim7]

I honestly cant decide which way I would go with this.

This question has me stumped. Going down to the 32's could give you an advantage in the gearing department...depending on what your gearing is of course. And adding a body lift isn't a bad idea (used to be frowned upon) it opens up a bunch of possiblities...like clocking transfercases and and giving you that little extra bit of clearance to run the tires you want. :grinjeep:

 

[Az84cj7]

Im not sure I want to go that small. I hate to give up clearance too. I bet they handle real nice though.

 

[Az84cj7]

If it helps im running 4.10's.

 

[CJim7]

If it helps im running 4.10's.

I (personally) would do the body lift and run the 33's

 

[Kane]

Extend your bump stops and the rubbing will stop then stick with 33's if you like them. Allot of people leave their bump stops in the stock position and then think they do not have enough lift. I have been running a 2.5 inch lift for years with a one inch body lift and I have never had an issue.

 

[Old Dog]

Extend your bump stops and the rubbing will stop then stick with 33's.

I think Kane said it the best.

 

[Sasquach]

I think we may be mixing wide track and narrow track CJ's. with my narrow track the front tires will rub the springs without some stop adjustment even with 32" tires on stock 8" rims. with wide track I don't know if this still an issue and the rubbing may actually be at the fender flair were adjusting the stops will not help. Were is your rubbing taking place?

 

[Old Dog]

I think we may be mixing wide track and narrow track CJ's. with my narrow track the front tires will rub the springs without some stop adjustment even with 32" tires on stock 8" rims. with wide track I don't know if this still an issue and the rubbing may actually be at the fender flair were adjusting the stops will not help. Were is your rubbing taking place?

Just to be clear on my post, I was talking about the tires rubing the flairs.
When this happens you need to use longer axle bump stops.
If your hitting the springs (I doubt it with a W/T) than adjust the steering stops.

 

[Sasquach]

Gotcha, I was not thinking correct part, do you want to limit your travel and flex though? just thinking out loud.

 

[Old Dog]

Gotcha, do you want to limit your travel and flex though? just thinking out loud.

You know how it is, theres always some give and take with cjs.
From my own experience though, I would say his front shock is probally bottoming out, or about to, if he hasn't went with longer shocks and mounts yet.

 

[54cj3b]

Dropping down to a 32 from a 33 will not give you much of an advantage since 32s and 33s are almost the same height there's about a 1/4 inch difference at best

 

[Az84cj7]

I have the wide track axles. Tires are mounted to 8" wheels. Most of the rubbing takes place in the rear. The tires are rubbing the fender flares not the fender.
1" body lift ya think?

 

[Az84cj7]

Also I dont think longer bump stops are an option. I dont want to limit my wheel travel. Shocks are not bottoming out either.

 

[gert]

Yep go for it and do the 1 inch body lift

 

[Mattduran]

Agreed 1" poly body lift would work great. Wouldn't look weird with that lil of a body lift. They are inexpensive. And if your using your original body mounts, its a sure bet there probably cracked/hard and past there prime. The only struggle you may have is the body mount bolts can be a pain to remove on some of the old jeeps. Rust/dirt. Wd40 helps. After If you get any rub then change your bumpstops. Good luck!

 

[MtHo0dMaster]

NO body lift!!! keep the 33's and get a 4'' soft ride lift!! Cheaper than new tires well about the same...

 

[Az84cj7]

Curious as to why your against the one inch body spacer. Yeah, I could buy a four inch lift but by the time i do the lift and add the slip yoke eliminator kit, it pretty pricey. A one inch spacer will clear the tires and would cost peanuts compared to that lift kit. Plus my tires are farely new. Im not ruling out the lift option, just curious.
Thanks

 

[MtHo0dMaster]

I just don't care for body lifts. They make you rig tipsy I guess a 1'' is not bad but I would just try to stay away from them. I just wouldn't limit yourself! I think a jeep with a 4'' lift and 33's is way more functional than a jeep with a 2.5 inch lift suspension and 1'' body lift! I was going to put a body lift on my rig but I was talked out of it by a few smart friend's. That's just my 2 cents..