What do I need to know about 33's?

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NAXJA Forum User
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
If this has been discussed before, please direct me to the right thread, but what I am looking for is basically a listing or advice of what I need to think about changing, modifying, strengthening, etc when I am moving up to 33's.

When I get the 33's I will have a 97XJ with d30 front / 8.25 rear with 4.56 gearing and a no-slip in the back and lock-rite in the front. The jeep already has:

-5" lift on it
-Heavy duty trackbar
-Adjustable upper and lower control arms
-SYE
-Woods driveshaft in rear
-Longer brake lines

Now, the important thing is that I only wheel this thing about 20% of the time for now.

So, from you all who have been there and learned the hard way and have good tips and advice like, "putting on a drag link from a Grand Cherokee so the stock one won't horse shoe under pressure"...that kind of stuff that you would suggest doing if I am going to run the 33's and what else I will have on there. I am looking for suggestions and advice on everything from steering, to bracing, to blah blah blah. Just trying to make sure I'm not missing stuff and hurt myself and the Jeep worse later on by not planning ahead.

Thanks,

Chris
 
well i think you will be the first to run 33' tires on your xj. for those of us on 33" tires, we will be curious as to how that goes. i have bent my draglink and tie rod on mine. only breakage from 33"s. the tie rod was more than likely a rock. i just replaced it with a stock draglink and have been fine so far. i have same axles and gearing and works great. just grab some spares, although you probably wont need em.
 
Tack weld the bearing caps to the axle shaft. When you start to see the tack welds cracking from wheeling, its time to start thinking about replacing or getting new shafts/U joints.

AARON
 
Ramsey said:
well i think you will be the first to run 33' tires on your xj. for those of us on 33" tires, we will be curious as to how that goes.

Actually, he wrote 33's. That would be the plural form of 33 - meaning he is buying more than one in the 33 size. The apostrophe in this case does not indicate a "foot" measurement. :kissyou:

I am buying retreads tomorrow in the 33 inch D-Mud version.
http://www.high-tec-retreading.com/
I have a 4.5' lift, whoa, I mean 4.5" lift, d30 front and soon to be installed d44 rear. The fenders have also been cut.
 
I suppose so. i would say your a bit high for 33's. you locked?
 
technically shoudnt it be thirty-three's
 
well i'm glad we got that out of the way. so is there anything else you want to know about 33s chris?
 
shut up hick
 
You may want to look into a reinforcement system (JKS, C-ROK) for the framerail around the steering box.

Longer bumpstops/fender trimming.

What size are you moving up from?
 
aparently a dictionary and MLA grammar handbook is required for 33s

steering box brace for sure, and look into an upgraded steering system - just incase...

sawzall? grinder?
 
XJ_ranger said:
aparently a dictionary and MLA grammar handbook is required for 33sQUOTE]
i thought that was in the FAQ
 
Wouldn't hurt to carry a pair of front shafts with ya with the locker in the front. Even with 5" of lift bumpstops or a little trimming could come in handy depending on how much you flex.
 
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