2" lift w 33" inch tires

2006TJ1

2006TJ1

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okay so I'm brand new to this forum... & relatively new to my Jeep. I have a 2006 x that I bought used. it has a 2" spacer style/budget boost lift and 33" tires, both of which were already done when I bought it. not knowing much about Jeeps and trusting that a reputable used Jeep dealer would know what they were doing, I didn't think much of it. it wasn't up until recently when I started learning more about Jeeps when I realized that it generally is not recommended to have 33" tires on less than a 3" lift (in which case mine is only 2"). I'm just wondering what could be possibly happen/has happened as a result of only having 2" of lift? I've done some light wheeling and only really plan on doing light wheeling.... it's my daily driver and so I'm mostly on the road. I've never heard any sort of rubbing or scraping even to the slightest degree & there has been absolutely no damage to the fenders.

as to what kind of lift, I'm not really sure. everything including the shocks were painted black so I can't see any branding. I can see through in some spots and know that the spacers are red. the shock are painted black (mostly) but I can see that they have red boots on them so obviously they aren't stock.... maybe skyjacker? not sure if that even matters. thanks in advance to anyone who can help

I'll post some pictures if that would help

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Pictures always help us. During your light wheeling adventures, did you disconnect the front sway bar to achieve better articulation? That would be when you might notice some rubbing. Also, have you checked to see if your front tires rub when the steering wheel is at full lock? What is the actual tire size on the sidewall say?
 
bobthetj03 said:
Pictures always help us. During your light wheeling adventures, did you disconnect the front sway bar to achieve better articulation? That would be when you might notice some rubbing. Also, have you checked to see if your front tires rub when the steering wheel is at full lock? What is the actual tire size on the sidewall say?
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I did not. I haven't done much where i would need a lot of flex, just some dirt trails and mud for the most part.
And as far as I've encountered, they don't.
33 x 12.5 x 15
 
If the bump stops were not set properly, your tires could make contact with the fenders. On the front, they'd most likely hit on the ridge where the plastic flare bolts to the metal fender.
 
12.50 wide tires will invariably rub on the control arms and/or anti-sway bar at full steering lock. If they don't, the previous owner may have installed washers on the steering stops, or put on aftermarket wheels with different backspacing. Are your wheels factory, or aftermarket? Those or the washers on the steering stops are the only way they won't rub there. As for 33" height, that will rub on the fender flares (especially with that width) when the wheel is stuffed into the wheel well. If you don't do off-roading that would cause that, it's not a concern. If you do, you will probably do a number on the flares.
 
glwood said:
12.50 wide tires will invariably rub on the control arms and/or anti-sway bar at full steering lock. If they don't, the previous owner may have installed washers on the steering stops, or put on aftermarket wheels with different backspacing. Are your wheels factory, or aftermarket? Those or the washers on the steering stops are the only way they won't rub there. As for 33" height, that will rub on the fender flares (especially with that width) when the wheel is stuffed into the wheel well. If you don't do off-roading that would cause that, it's not a concern. If you do, you will probably do a number on the flares.
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I have Cragar soft 8 (8 inch) wheels. How do I check the washers on the steering stops?

But yeah I really don't do much offroading, just occasional and when I do it's mostly light trails like I said and not any rock crawling or anything like that. So there's nothing mechanically wrong with the 33"s other than contacting the fenders? I've been seriously considering getting flat style fenders rather to replace the stock ones... in that case would I even experience any rub?

Really appreciate all the help tho.... Like I said I'm new to this forum. A previous forum I was on first (simply because I discovered it first), everyone just told me I simply can't do 33s on 2" because it will mess up my jeep without any explanation so I was slightly more concerned. Obviously I don't want to ruin my fenders but 1) if its really only going to be a problem offroad (with the antisway bar disconnected) then i will just keep that in consideration and ponder a bigger lift 2) if flat fenders wouldn't be affected and I go that route then theoretically it wouldn't matter how beat up my current fenders get (even though I won't be going offroad anytime soon)
 
Another thing to consider with running 33's is your gear ratio. If you have factory gears, such as 3.07's or 3.73's, you will notice poorer performance, less power, and poorer gas mileage. Just another consideration to think about.
 
bobthetj03 said:
Another thing to consider with running 33's is your gear ratio. If you have factory gears, such as 3.07's or 3.73's, you will notice poorer performance, less power, and poorer gas mileage. Just another consideration to think about.
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if I were to upgrade the gear ratio would I need to replace the axle?
 
2006TJ1 said:
if I were to upgrade the gear ratio would I need to replace the axle?
Click to expand...

No, you just need to change the ring & pinion gears. Best left for a specialist to do because there is specific setup procedures to do it correctly.
 
Hey, guys...wouldn't @2006TJ1 need to be somewhat concerned if he's running 33" tires on a Dana 35? I didn't see anyone broach that subject, so just thought I'd bring it up. OP, you can read up within this forum on how to determine what rear axle you have, and whether or not 33" tires might be an issue with your rear axle (which will either be the weaker Dana 35, or the stronger Dana 44). There is all kinds of dialogue on the two axles. And by the way, welcome to the best dang forum on the net for TJ owners. You'll learn a lot here. Great folks, and great information, too!
 
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The potential is real to have a bad outcome with 33's and a Dana 35. He says he's only doing light wheeling though, so if he's easy on the skinny pedal it should last for awhile. Avoid shock loads like the plague.
 
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StG58 said:
The potential is real to have a bad outcome with 33's and a Dana 35. He says he's only doing light wheeling though, so if he's easy on the skinny pedal it should last for awhile. Avoid shock loads like the plague.
Click to expand...
Thanks, @StG58. I don't know if the OP had ever even heard of the potential for disaster with a Dana 35, so just figured if folks chimed in on it, he might be prompted to look into it further. But being that I'm still learning myself, I didn't really feel qualified to do much more than mention it.
 
33's and a 2'' will not hurt your jeep at all. It's not ideal, but it won't destroy anything as long as you're not smashing the bump stops and rubbing all day. You wheels light trails, so you might get a rub here and there depending on if the PO bump stopped it correctly. Add some tube fenders and a lunch box up front, and you've got a deceptively capable low CG rig.

And those other forums, the members there usually just vomit rhetoric they've read from a select few who hold influence over the masses. That's why they wouldn't give you a reason, because they don't know. I only chime in on things I have direct experience with or quote other members whom I know have experience with said topics. Well, that's my opinion anyways, because I like it here and I'm biased. So there's that.
 
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2006TJ1 said:
okay so I'm brand new to this forum... & relatively new to my Jeep. I have a 2006 x that I bought used. it has a 2" spacer style/budget boost lift and 33" tires, both of which were already done when I bought it. not knowing much about Jeeps and trusting that a reputable used Jeep dealer would know what they were doing, I didn't think much of it. it wasn't up until recently when I started learning more about Jeeps when I realized that it generally is not recommended to have 33" tires on less than a 3" lift (in which case mine is only 2"). I'm just wondering what could be possibly happen/has happened as a result of only having 2" of lift? I've done some light wheeling and only really plan on doing light wheeling.... it's my daily driver and so I'm mostly on the road. I've never heard any sort of rubbing or scraping even to the slightest degree & there has been absolutely no damage to the fenders.

as to what kind of lift, I'm not really sure. everything including the shocks were painted black so I can't see any branding. I can see through in some spots and know that the spacers are red. the shock are painted black (mostly) but I can see that they have red boots on them so obviously they aren't stock.... maybe skyjacker? not sure if that even matters. thanks in advance to anyone who can help

I'll post some pictures if that would help

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Your 2” spacer and 33’s on an aftermarket wheel with good backspacing and the Dana 35 should be ok as long as you do light wheelin and don’t disconnect your swaybar.

As mentioned, that tire size on factory gears will result in less performance than stock. If you have 3.73 it’s probably livable. The 3.07’s would be worse.

Flat flares will probably not increase the space for your tires. It’s the fender that is the bigger issue. If you replaced fenders and flares, by a company like JCR or MetalCloak, you could get more clearance for tires. A small 1-1.25” body lift will also give you more clearance for tires, and is a cheap and good solution.

Your shocks might be skyjacker or Rancho, hard to say. Shocks control your ride quality. It only matters as far as your preference in ride

Last thing, you might want to measure your actual lift amount, considering the fact that your stock coil springs might be sagging. To do this measure the spring and spacer. Stock front is 12” and rear is 8”, so anything greater than that is actual lift.at least then you will know where you really stand.
 
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Shwane said:
33's and a 2'' will not hurt your jeep at all. It's not ideal, but it won't destroy anything as long as you're not smashing the bump stops and rubbing all day. You wheels light trails, so you might get a rub here and there depending on if the PO bump stopped it correctly. Add some tube fenders and a lunch box up front, and you've got a deceptively capable low CG rig.

And those other forums, the members there usually just vomit rhetoric they've read from a select few who hold influence over the masses. That's why they wouldn't give you a reason, because they don't know. I only chime in on things I have direct experience with or quote other members whom I know have experience with said topics. Well, that's my opinion anyways, because I like it here and I'm biased. So there's that.
Click to expand...

What's a lunch box?
 
Squatch said:
Hey, guys...wouldn't @2006TJ1 need to be somewhat concerned if he's running 33" tires on a Dana 35? I didn't see anyone broach that subject, so just thought I'd bring it up. OP, you can read up within this forum on how to determine what rear axle you have, and whether or not 33" tires might be an issue with your rear axle (which will either be the weaker Dana 35, or the stronger Dana 44). There is all kinds of dialogue on the two axles. And by the way, welcome to the best dang forum on the net for TJ owners. You'll learn a lot here. Great folks, and great information, too!
Click to expand...
so is this something that is an issue every time I drive or only offroad? I'll check when I can to see whether I have the 35 or the 44
 
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