33's / stock susp / mc fenders?

[GASnBRASS]

Anyone running 33" tires on a stock suspension with metalcloak overline fenders? Can it still flex out or does it have rubbing issues? I've got all the stuff sitting in the garage waiting for the jeep to get put back together, and I need to make a parts decision for the arms and linkages for the new frame. I'd prefer to stick with a stock height to avoid any lift or steering issues.

Tires are 33x12.5 on 15x8 rims with 4" bs.
If you have pics that would be great!

 

[Chris]

The closest I can think of is @PStov98TJ who is running a 2.5" lift (I believe) with the metalcloak fenders. Maybe he can comment on how he thinks it would perform if it was stock height.

 

[CommandoJoe]

I'm running 33x12.5 on 15x8 wheels with 3.75 backspace, stock fenders, 2" pucks up front (to compensate for aftermarket bumper and winch) and stock in the rear. I have slight fender rubbing off road and no rubbing on the street. I'm planning to install Bushwacker or some style of flat fenders which should resolve the rubbing.

 

[FTI76]

Anyone running 33" tires on a stock suspension with metalcloak overline fenders? Can it still flex out or does it have rubbing issues? I've got all the stuff sitting in the garage waiting for the jeep to get put back together, and I need to make a parts decision for the arms and linkages for the new frame. I'd prefer to stick with a stock height to avoid any lift or steering issues.

Tires are 33x12.5 on 15x8 rims with 4" bs.
If you have pics that would be great!

Why don't you call MetalCloak and ask them?

 

[GASnBRASS]

Why don't you call MetalCloak and ask them?

Cause manufacturers love to over hype their products, regardless of how they actually perform. They claim you can run 35's stock but I want to know if it's with limited wheel travel or flex. Better to get real world experiences. And since my jeep is in a million pieces right now, I can't verify for myself to figure out what suspension parts to order.

 

[FTI76]

Cause manufacturers love to over hype their products, regardless of how they actually perform. They claim you can run 35's stock but I want to know if it's with limited wheel travel or flex. Better to get real world experiences. And since my jeep is in a million pieces right now, I can't verify for myself to figure out what suspension parts to order.

I get that to an extent, but I don't think MC would give you false information since you purchased the product and the Jeep is taken apart, that really wouldn't get them very far from a customer satisfaction perspective. Matson seems to be extremely helfpul in any forums threads i've read where he has chimed in.

 

[xxdabroxx]

There is a thread on TOS where we are trying to get MC to tell us how much bump is required to run 35" tires with their fenders. So far it's been months and no answer. They have responded to the thread multiple times though. I wouldn't expect a straight up answer, the marketing wank is strong with them.

I do like their flat fenders though, but damn they get expensive.

 

[Neal]

OK, the OP wanted photos, here they are. This is my "06 LJ with MC Overlines, no lift, no extended bumpstops, and 35's (sorry, never ran 33's).

Static

Flexed

Flexed, in rocks (real life flex, not CTI ramp flex).

BTW, both of the flex shots were taken with the Jeep in motion, no posers here.

Bottom line: On my Jeep, with a stock suspension and Overlines, 35's do rub, but only a little, not enough to damage the tires or impede forward progress. Also, my suspension was pretty clapped out when I took these shots, shocks and springs were both really tired. A stock suspension in good shape might, repeat MIGHT not rub at all. Obviously, 33's would be far less likely to rub, although I can't prove it here. I later installed a 2.5" OME lift and shocks just because I had the money, but I feel I could have left things as they were and would probably have had no issues.

 

[GASnBRASS]

Thank you very much for the info and pics Neal, and great looking jeep! The springs and shocks I have now are take off's from an '06 rubicon, probably only 20K miles on them. I'm hoping that with MC fenders and 33's that I'll be able to leave the suspension and steering stock to save the headaches that seem to follow a lift, and to keep it's good road manners.

My plans from the start were to get clearance under the diffs with 33's, keep the cog low, a minor tummy tuck, skid plate everything, and minimize proprietary parts in case something breaks.

 

[bobthetj03]

Worse case scenario, you add a bit of bump stop, or some small coil spacers to lift it just enough to clear them.

 

[xxdabroxx]

Thank you very much for the info and pics Neal, and great looking jeep! The springs and shocks I have now are take off's from an '06 rubicon, probably only 20K miles on them. I'm hoping that with MC fenders and 33's that I'll be able to leave the suspension and steering stock to save the headaches that seem to follow a lift, and to keep it's good road manners.

My plans from the start were to get clearance under the diffs with 33's, keep the cog low, a minor tummy tuck, skid plate everything, and minimize proprietary parts in case something breaks.

Currie steering upgrade would still be wise in my opinion with 33" tires. That stock tie rod is pretty puny.

 

[GASnBRASS]

Currie steering upgrade would still be wise in my opinion with 33" tires. That stock tie rod is pretty puny.

I'm going to do the ZJ tie rod swap, since the currie needs a lift to work properly.

 

[bobthetj03]

The ZJ setup is a decent upgrade from the stock pencil.

 

[xxdabroxx]

I'm going to do the ZJ tie rod swap, since the currie needs a lift to work properly.

I think I've read that you can trim the Currie to work stock, but I'm not 100%. May be something to look into if you bend the ZJ rod. The currie is beefy.

I crashed it into a rock first thing on the Rubicon trail and it took it like a champ. I've been very impressed with the quality that currie puts out.

 

[Mike_H]

OK, the OP wanted photos, here they are. This is my "06 LJ with MC Overlines, no lift, no extended bumpstops, and 35's (sorry, never ran 33's).

Static
View attachment 14304

Flexed
View attachment 14305

Flexed, in rocks (real life flex, not CTI ramp flex).
View attachment 14306

BTW, both of the flex shots were taken with the Jeep in motion, no posers here.

Bottom line: On my Jeep, with a stock suspension and Overlines, 35's do rub, but only a little, not enough to damage the tires or impede forward progress. Also, my suspension was pretty clapped out when I took these shots, shocks and springs were both really tired. A stock suspension in good shape might, repeat MIGHT not rub at all. Obviously, 33's would be far less likely to rub, although I can't prove it here. I later installed a 2.5" OME lift and shocks just because I had the money, but I feel I could have left things as they were and would probably have had no issues.

Thanks for confirming my eventual build! You've done exactly what I've been planning, right down to CJ turn signals. Jeep looks Great!

 

[PStov98TJ]

The closest I can think of is @PStov98TJ who is running a 2.5" lift (I believe) with the metalcloak fenders. Maybe he can comment on how he thinks it would perform if it was stock height.

Sorry. Little late to the party. But like Chris said, I do have MC's, 2.5" lift, and 33's. But I never ran the 33's with just the fenders. Although I wouldn't see any issues with doing it. They say you can run 35's, but 33's give even more fender clearance. And that real life experience and photos from @Neal really give you the best example.

 

[GASnBRASS]

Thanks for the feedback! I always though it was a bit of a stretch that 35's wouldn't rub at all with just fenders, but if @Neal is getting just a bit of rub with 35's then I should be gtg with 33's.

 

[Chris]

Thanks for the feedback! I always though it was a bit of a stretch that 35's wouldn't rub at all with just fenders, but if @Neal is getting just a bit of rub with 35's then I should be gtg with 33's.

With 33" tires you should be fine, I agree.

 

[GASnBRASS]

I think I've read that you can trim the Currie to work stock, but I'm not 100%. May be something to look into if you bend the ZJ rod. The currie is beefy.

View attachment 14315

View attachment 14316

I crashed it into a rock first thing on the Rubicon trail and it took it like a champ. I've been very impressed with the quality that currie puts out.

@xxdabroxx where did you find the best price on the currie steering links?

 

[JMT]

Thank you very much for the info and pics Neal, and great looking jeep! The springs and shocks I have now are take off's from an '06 rubicon, probably only 20K miles on them. I'm hoping that with MC fenders and 33's that I'll be able to leave the suspension and steering stock to save the headaches that seem to follow a lift, and to keep it's good road manners.

My plans from the start were to get clearance under the diffs with 33's, keep the cog low, a minor tummy tuck, skid plate everything, and minimize proprietary parts in case something breaks.

I don't think there are many headaches if you stay under 3" lift. And I think it would help. Neal did the 2.5" OME. I did too, works great and improves ride. Would be better for what you are trying to do...