33's on 2004 Wrangler Unlimited

Wes Rapp said:
I have a completely stock 2004 Wrangler Unlimited. I am not satisfied with the look of the stock tire size, so I am looking to get 33's and lift but don't know what all I would need in addition to the tires (body lift, suspension, etc...). I don't do much off-roading, if any at all, so I would like a setup that would be better rated for on road use. It doesn't have to be anything nice, just something so I can get 33's put on. Any advice on what all I need?
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Alright Hoosier, looks like you’re in for some fun, you’re 21 which is awesome to do this (I got my first CJ at 19).

Couple questions
Is it a manual or automatic?

Do you know what gearing you have in the differentials, I think it might have been 3.07’s stock, not sure.

Depending on that, Yes, get 33’s if you can do what it takes to make it work. I’m not disagreeing with others here, but 21 and a Jeep, heck yeah get a lift and 33’s.

Are you doing the work or a shop?
Do you have a budget? I didn’t see one.
I was 19 then, 48 now, I’m spending for top end stuff. Stick to 33’s, 35’s do take a bunch.

I’d get 33’s, a 2.5 “ lift kit and a 1” BL if you’re just having fun street driving. Look at some of the threads suggesting them, some are budget if you need.

Just be prepared to spend to make some adjustments.

1. Your rear drive shaft with this lift you may get some vibrations, and need a Transfer case drop (basically some washers).

2. Your braking should be fine.

3. Gearing is huge, depending on transmission , you will need higher number gearing, or it will constantly feel like it’s bogging down and suck to drive. Think pedaling up hill in first gear and it’s so hard you cant move. This is costly.

You can do this, look in the how to or resource section, Chris has a great write up on lifts.

Just remember, doing it right is the suggestion you’ll get, but “right” is for someone that wants to wheel and on and on. You can have a cool Jeep and stay on a budget, and if you have the dollars, then heck do exactly what Chris has in his lift thread sticky.

Don’t get 31’s and look like a wuss if you think 33’s would look badass. (Others can calm down, just saying when I was 21, the 35’s and V8 and 4” lift got attention, football and attention from the ladies, my only cares back then, ha!)
 
Wes Rapp said:
Thank you so much, this is much more clear than many responses.

I am currently running 30's, but i just thought that they looked too small and wanted a bigger look.

So you would suggest just going to a 31" tire? Do you think a 32" would have as much "drama", or would it still be okay?
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You can get away with a 32” tire and 2-2.5” of lift. I actually promised myself if I ever do this again that’s what I’d do with a Rubicon.

1” body lift
1.5” suspension lift.

You won’t get any vibes with this Setup. @Irun had a Chili Pepper Red TJ that was built similar and just impeccable looking. But looks are matter of opinion.
 
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32s on an LJ look good. That's what I run on mine with a 4 inch lift that was installed by the previous owner. Back when I got new tires in May, I thought about going to 33x10.5 tires, but I decided to keep the same tire size (32x11.5) that was already on the Jeep when I got it.
 
If you want 33’s and you want to avoid vibes, get about a 2.5” suspension lift, a 1.25” body lift, a 1” motor mount lift, TCase shifter cable, some extended sway bar links, , a rear trackbar relocation bracket, a few other odds and ends, leave the gearing, and go for it. Won’t cost more than $1200-1500

Doing it this way costs a lot more money.😉
BFDBD62F-FE2F-479F-9A17-E451DC91D3D7.jpeg
 
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I have a 2006 LJ with a 2 inch springs. I was set on 33x 12.5 tires but I went with 32x11.5 after much reading. It works great on the street at 27 to 28 psi and on the beach at 12 psi it's fantastic.
If you have the 6 speed Manual the gearing is fine.
The LJs longer wheelbase and driveshaft allow thus much lift without causing vibration or extreme pinion angles, drivability is good.
It doesn't look as good as 33s, but a great compromise.
2 inch Pro Comp springs and Rancho 5000X shocks is what I used, very happy and I get a lot of compliments.
20200721_135239.jpg
 
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JMT said:
You can get away with a 32” tire and 2-2.5” of lift. I actually promised myself if I ever do this again that’s what I’d do with a Rubicon.

1” body lift
1.5” suspension lift.
Click to expand...

I'm with you here. If I ever do another build it will be a max of a 32/11.50 tire. I'm still kicking myself for selling the red one. It was the best built and best driving Jeep I've ever done. I liked driving it way better than my LJ on 35s. At least on the road! (y)
 
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A lot depends on the type of driving and how many miles you drive. I daily drive mine around town commuting to work short distance but every couple weeks drive 200 highway miles and then drive on the beach. So, this setup is a great compromise for minimal $.
 
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Here is a comparison for you. My fathers LJ is still on the stock suspension and tires. Mine has 32's with an 2.5" suspension and 1" body lift.
20200802_130844.jpg
 
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cpwolf said:
Alright Hoosier, looks like you’re in for some fun, you’re 21 which is awesome to do this (I got my first CJ at 19).

Couple questions
Is it a manual or automatic?

Do you know what gearing you have in the differentials, I think it might have been 3.07’s stock, not sure.

Depending on that, Yes, get 33’s if you can do what it takes to make it work. I’m not disagreeing with others here, but 21 and a Jeep, heck yeah get a lift and 33’s.

Are you doing the work or a shop?
Do you have a budget? I didn’t see one.
I was 19 then, 48 now, I’m spending for top end stuff. Stick to 33’s, 35’s do take a bunch.

I’d get 33’s, a 2.5 “ lift kit and a 1” BL if you’re just having fun street driving. Look at some of the threads suggesting them, some are budget if you need.

Just be prepared to spend to make some adjustments.

1. Your rear drive shaft with this lift you may get some vibrations, and need a Transfer case drop (basically some washers).

2. Your braking should be fine.

3. Gearing is huge, depending on transmission , you will need higher number gearing, or it will constantly feel like it’s bogging down and suck to drive. Think pedaling up hill in first gear and it’s so hard you cant move. This is costly.

You can do this, look in the how to or resource section, Chris has a great write up on lifts.

Just remember, doing it right is the suggestion you’ll get, but “right” is for someone that wants to wheel and on and on. You can have a cool Jeep and stay on a budget, and if you have the dollars, then heck do exactly what Chris has in his lift thread sticky.

Don’t get 31’s and look like a wuss if you think 33’s would look badass. (Others can calm down, just saying when I was 21, the 35’s and V8 and 4” lift got attention, football and attention from the ladies, my only cares back then, ha!)
Click to expand...
Hello, and actually I'm 16, this is going to be my first car!

It's an automatic and I believe the ratio for it is 3.73

I would definitely have a shop do the work.

I don't necessarily have a budget, I was just trying to get an idea, but the less I can spend the better!
 
Lowcountryearl said:
@Jim King, I really, really like your rod holder setup, is that store bought or manufactured?
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The rod rack itself is from Amazon, it's actually for freshwater rods to attach to the side of a boat or whatever. I just screwed it to a piece of plywood and bolted that to an old bicycle/ski rack i bought for my YJ in 1989. I drilled a hole in the spare tire mount, one big bolt holds it, but it's strong and stable enough to hold 2 bicycles 100 miles down the highway.
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Wes Rapp said:
Hello, and actually I'm 16, this is going to be my first car!

It's an automatic and I believe the ratio for it is 3.73

I would definitely have a shop do the work.

I don't necessarily have a budget, I was just trying to get an idea, but the less I can spend the better!
Click to expand...

That's awesome, got both of 16 year old's a Jeep first car, keep it forever.

Before committing to 33's, you need to look at the cost to re-gear. 3.73 will not be fun to drive, it will bog down etc on 33's, even just driving around town from my understanding (sorry, all my Jeeps have been manual).

Others would suggest what gears to get, but http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html is a cool site, you can add your trans, your gears etc and see the RPMs. You want to be about 2800 RPM or so on the highway at 70 mph.

There are some subtle differences guys like @Jerry Bransford would know I don't from never having an automatic.

Anything else as far as "drive-ability" will be fine, you can manage that for sure, but the gears can make it miserable.
 
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