I have read quite a few posts where people say they wish they had not gone to 33's and just stayed with 31's. I have to ask why? Why would you do things so differently?
Lift regrets
- Thread starter Buck
- Start date
89grand
TJ Addict
I certainly don't regret having 33's and a 4" lift, but I can see some might wish they'd stayed with 31's. I mean 31's fit with no lift, no pressing need to re-gear, no need for adjustable control arms and SYE, 31" tires are cheaper, will work with stock wheels without spacers.
Of course, the down side is a lot less ground clearance, and lets be honest, 31's and stock doesn't look anywhere near as cool as 33's and a lift.
Honestly though, I don't feel like I read that very much here if at all.
Of course, the down side is a lot less ground clearance, and lets be honest, 31's and stock doesn't look anywhere near as cool as 33's and a lift.
Honestly though, I don't feel like I read that very much here if at all.
31" tires rule!
Seriously only step up if you run into problems on the trail. It is such a huge performance hit and expense running larger tires. Some people just plain forget how nice a stock-ish TJ rides.
Nobody on their death bed ever whispers, "I wish I ran 35s"
Seriously only step up if you run into problems on the trail. It is such a huge performance hit and expense running larger tires. Some people just plain forget how nice a stock-ish TJ rides.
Nobody on their death bed ever whispers, "I wish I ran 35s"
I do, after Wheeling with the jeep pretty frequently on 33s, a 2.5 spring lift and 1.25 BL I wish I had more tire underneath the jeep. That said, it's not my biggest issue with 33s, I want more travel!
My guess why they would regret going to a lift/33" tires would be if they or the shop they chose to install the lift didn't know what they were doing. Bad shock absorber choices, bad tire choice, steering system screwups, etc. Properly installed, a lift and 33" tires can ride and handle as well as the Jeep did with its factory suspension and 30" tires.
I'd totally agree but you just can't make up for the added weight, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
I am beginning to think you are following me around to just disagree with most of what I say.
I love my 33s, but I prefer the stock suspension which I now have. Gearing is important too. Most guys want to go deeper but I hate the 4.10s in my Rubi so 33s give me an effective taller ratio. I'd love 3.73s with 33s.
For clearance/articulation I went HighLine instead of a lift. I pulled my lift out 2 years ago.
There is no doubt that taller tires create extra stress on every other component but after running 33s on Wranglers for 25 years, I've never actually broken anything, maybe things like u-joints and brakes wear out faster but I don't think 33s are a real factor in breakage. 35s likely, 37s for sure but 33s not really.
For clearance/articulation I went HighLine instead of a lift. I pulled my lift out 2 years ago.
There is no doubt that taller tires create extra stress on every other component but after running 33s on Wranglers for 25 years, I've never actually broken anything, maybe things like u-joints and brakes wear out faster but I don't think 33s are a real factor in breakage. 35s likely, 37s for sure but 33s not really.
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I'm sure there's a few people that went with 33s focusing more on looks than functionality, failing to take into account the negatives associated with larger tires.
Unless the physical height is an issue, I suspect the most regrets come from poorly done modifications resulting in a badly behaving Jeep. With all the good information out there these days, I'm often surprised by what people come up with to screw up their vehicles as well as the justifications to do so.
I’m on 33s and I’m ready to start planning 35s for next summer.... It all comes down to what you are using your Jeep for. A non lifted Jeep with 31s is great for Over-landing but it’s not gonna cut it on more difficult trails.
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ranger101
TJ Addict
I loved my TJ with a 2” lift and 33x10.50’s. It’s been nothing but money ever since 
I am currently running a 2 inch suspension with a diy hi line and 35s. I dont really regret it, but I am making plans to ditch the hi line, do a 4 inch lift with outboard rear shocks, and drop down to 33s. The benefits will be slightly more gas tank clearance and much more suspension travel.
I think I just cant leave stuff alone. It's a sickness.
I think I just cant leave stuff alone. It's a sickness.
Take it from me... unless you have a need for 33s (or larger) and a big lift, then why would you bother doing it? For looks? Okay, I get that. But honestly, when you look at the lines of a TJ, they look so good even with just a 2" lift and 31s, that there's no need to go bigger unless you have a purpose in mind (i.e. rock crawling, etc.).
In addition, do you know how expensive it is to do a big lift and big tires and do it right? We're talking 10k or more depending, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
31s and a 2" lift though? That can be done for a lot cheaper!
In addition, do you know how expensive it is to do a big lift and big tires and do it right? We're talking 10k or more depending, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
31s and a 2" lift though? That can be done for a lot cheaper!
MountaineerTom
LJ Enthusiast, Retired USAF Weapons Loader
Supporting Member
Ride of the Month Winner
My LJ was stock with stock sized 30x9.50’s when I bought it. I put a 2 inch OME lift with HD springs front and rear and ended up with2.5 inches of lift. I had already had 31 inch BFG KM2’s on it a few months before the lift. I’d like to run 33’s or even 32’s but there are a few things keeping me from doing it. First, my wife has a little trouble getting in it now as it is and depending on how I’m feeling, some days I do too. We’re both 50 and things aren’t getting easier for us as far as aches and pains go. LOL. 2nd, if I did go to 33’s, I’d want to regear to 4.88’s and I dont know that I want to spend that much money on that just to say I have 33’s. Lastly, I don’t have a lot of awesome places nearby to go off-roading like some do. To me that kind of justifies that I don’t NEED to do it.
So far I’m happy with my set up. It’s quite capable for the places I’ve taken it and I suspect it will be when I take it to an off road park here a couple hours away called Gulches, I just haven’t had the time to take it yet. I’m wanting to take it to Uwharrie Nation Forest too but it’s even a little further. Both places have some areas that I know I won’t even attempt, I know my limits. LOL
So far I’m happy with my set up. It’s quite capable for the places I’ve taken it and I suspect it will be when I take it to an off road park here a couple hours away called Gulches, I just haven’t had the time to take it yet. I’m wanting to take it to Uwharrie Nation Forest too but it’s even a little further. Both places have some areas that I know I won’t even attempt, I know my limits. LOL
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I think some people regret going to 33's (like @bobthetj03 ) because of complications upon regearing or, like @jjvw said, because they don't have any uptravel. I have 33's and it rides great. I'd like to do 35's, but the re-gearing thing is holding me back a little bit.
I see a LOT of people, even on this forum, who just want the 33's, but aren't really willing to do the work to run them correctly. It is pretty expensive to get 33's under your rig, if you want it to handle right. It takes a lot of thought and a lot of time under the jeep, cycling the suspension, taking measurements, and looking for the right components. Not all components work with each other. I found out that my shocks are severely limiting my downtravel....but they are supposed to be for a 2" lift, which is what I'm running. I bought them before I knew better though. I'll run them for a while, but I'm sure, knowing what I know from reading and cycling suspension, I'll end up with a little more lift and a lot more shock.
Now, if you're building a jeep for cruising around to the beach or mall (No judgement from me) then sure, go get a Rough Country lift for 500 bucks and be done with it. It will work out fine. But to really wheel it? Yeah, its more involved.
I see a LOT of people, even on this forum, who just want the 33's, but aren't really willing to do the work to run them correctly. It is pretty expensive to get 33's under your rig, if you want it to handle right. It takes a lot of thought and a lot of time under the jeep, cycling the suspension, taking measurements, and looking for the right components. Not all components work with each other. I found out that my shocks are severely limiting my downtravel....but they are supposed to be for a 2" lift, which is what I'm running. I bought them before I knew better though. I'll run them for a while, but I'm sure, knowing what I know from reading and cycling suspension, I'll end up with a little more lift and a lot more shock.
Now, if you're building a jeep for cruising around to the beach or mall (No judgement from me) then sure, go get a Rough Country lift for 500 bucks and be done with it. It will work out fine. But to really wheel it? Yeah, its more involved.
fxrsliberty
TJ Enthusiast
My goal for my Jeep was to be able to hit the moderate trails at Windrock so, I rebuilt my TJs suspension specifically to run 33s, ironically, I'm only running 255/70r17s from a JK. I knew from prior experience I needed a fully adjustable CA set. I landed on a Rock Krawler 3.5 inch lift with Fox shocks and stabilizer, 1800$. I bought a pair of axles on the cheap. HP Dana 30 100$ and another Dana 35 75$, rebuilt and re-geared to 4.56 with disc brakes from a 99 ZJ( queue the Dana 35 haters)1000$. I installed an SYE and shaft 600$. Speedo gear, 35$. I'm moving towards a locker and chromolly shafts, 1200$.
My Jeep drives and feels like it did stock, power and handling all on point! I'm confident that next years addition of the locker will eliminate the short comings on the trail. I feel validated in my choices and have no regrets. Yes it's expensive but I bought the Jeep for 3k with a bad cooling system from the original owner, it is clean!
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My Jeep drives and feels like it did stock, power and handling all on point! I'm confident that next years addition of the locker will eliminate the short comings on the trail. I feel validated in my choices and have no regrets. Yes it's expensive but I bought the Jeep for 3k with a bad cooling system from the original owner, it is clean!
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This post is pretty definitive, as well as Chris’s.
I inherited a set of 33” tires on bead locks , 4:10 gears and disintegrated skyjacker short arm bushings when I bought mine .
Did I regret I did? I regretted they (the previous owner)did it. It was a mess.
It’s my opinion that you just can’t budget lift to 33” or beyond effectively , it has to be a complete job. Also , scaling some other components up can improve the set up ....by that I mean running some aftermarket components that have beefier bushings (ie, Currie, Jks track bars,etc)
We have a TJ focused Jeep dealer here and the Jeeps come in typically in the “far as they got” build stage....when I drive them I’m extremely cautious...most are that bad.
If you jump in and run out of money , and can’t complete the build, and can’t easily go back, you may really regret it.
If it’s done right , and what you want , there’s no reason to regret anything.
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