In the tech section of What Fits, the paragraph on TJ's indicates "With a TJ, we'd put 33x12.5s on 15x8-inch rims with 3 1/2 inches of backspacing." It doesn't mention anything regarding a suspension lift and if it would be necessary. The paragraph did indicate a 1" body lift would clear 32's. Also the chart went from 32" to 34" diameter tires...no 33's.  

I have the same question.  I want wider tires on my 98' Wrangler but would prefer not to lift much.  So how much lift is necessary to fit 33's without a lot of rub?

Well, I'm new to all of this, but I'll be happy to share what I've learned so far. Information seems to vary according to its source (ie. suspension, tire, aftermarket retailers, etc.), the intended use and condition of the vehicle, and personal preference thrown into the mix.

Source (A) indicates: "Wrangler (YJ) *(TJ's May use up to 1" larger tire on street)"...the chart would then show that a TJ can run 33's with a 2" -3" suspension lift, or a 2" body lift with a 1" lift extended shackles.

Source (B) indicates: TJ's can run 31/10.5 stock, 31-32/11.5 need 3 " sus. lift, 31, 33/12.5 need 3" sus. lift, 31-32/14.5 need 3" sus lift, 34/12.5 & 14.5 need 4" sus. lift (This was from californiajeeper.com Tire Size Clearance Guide)

Source (C) Mickey Thompson Site: For Baja Radial MTX - 31/10.5 = stock; 31-32/11.5 = 2" sus. lift w/Fender Trim; 33/12.5 = 4" sus. lift w/Fender Trim.

From JP Magazine (Jan/Feb 2006) pg 18. "Hawaii Fine-O"

'98 TJ 4 cyl 2" Coil Spacer lift running 31" BFG AT

'97 TJ 4 cyl 2" lift running 31" Wrangler AT/S

'03 TJ 2 1/2" Rubicon Express Super Flex lift = 32/11.5 on 15x10 steelies

'03 TJ 3 1/2" sus. lift = 33" BFG MT on 15x8 steelies

TJ w/ 4" Rough Country lift = 33/10.5 on stock 15x7 rims

Personally, for my '02 TJ Sport, I'm going with 32/11.5 BFG AT and MT Classic 15x8 rims w/ 3 5/16" backspacing, adding a 2" Coil Spacer lift if needed. For budget reasons mainly, I think this set up will accomplish what I need to do right now...(80% Street, 20% Off Road on Sand Dunes in Michigan) AND keep me out of Divorce Court 

Good Luck...if you find any additional information or ideas, pass them along!

Jerry                        

Ok, here we go with my Reader's Digest experience! I had the same questions as you all have - and for us there are a good deal more - I hope this helps! I have a '00 Sahara auto tranny; came with factory 30" x 9.5 GoodYr GSA on 15"x8 Aluminum Jeep rims...

         I also referenced the Jp mag chart for "fitment" and compared other sources to extrapolate to 33" tire "what ifs"... In the meantime of $$ for a mild suspension lift - I had a shop put on a 3" body lift (the cost/labor was identical for a 1" versus 3", so I thought better on the high side, if you will.  I bought 33"x12.5 GoodYr MT/Rs ... Mickey Thompson Classic Lock rims with 3 and 5/16th backspacing to be sure not to rub suspension components. I didn't want to use spacers. Bottom line?

   In my experience:  There is no rubbing of fenders or front components. The 3" body lift is excessive for me, I'm bringing it down to 1" and tires will still clear by several inches.  I don't do rock crawling and I don't release my sway bars in front, so I don't need 4 inches between my tires and the fenders in front for room on mega-articulating obstacles. Yes, the tires are outside the fender flares. Yes, when it rains and you go mudding the sides of your Jeep's body do get considerable splatter (but its in a very cool pattern when it comes to the mud! haha) The wheels outside the wells looks super-aggressive and really makes the side-to-side stability go up (increased track).  It doesn't hurt that the tire firmness is much greater on the MT/Rs since they are load class C versus the B on those GSAs. Yes, anything more than a 1" body lift leaves a pretty unsightly gap there. Yes, there are things to cover it, but I've not bothered since now I have the $$$ to do the suspension lift.

 As in almost every "what should I do?" post on here, the answer that is right for you is clear once you decide what you WANT/WILL do in your Jeep. If you want to do snow/dirt/sand/mud ~ mild off-roading by this group's definition - you may not need all that space of a 4" suspension lift to fit 33s like some magazine advos say... I can also tell you that from a dead stop, 33s with stock gearing on an auto-tranny with my Sahara in 2nd gear is pretty much just like it was with the factory 30s on there ... Don't be shocked at the off the line slowdown, but its not severe enough to warrant gear changes.  MSG me if you want some pics or have any other questions - I'm still learning as I go, too.   cheers!

BTW, Jerry - how far are you up in Michigan? I'm about 30minutes from the Indiana/Michigan border and would love to know some bona-fide sand dunes that are legal up there!    

Yea thats kinda how i lifted my ZJ. I found the lift i could afford and then figured out how much tire i could fit in it...i put a 2" spacer on it and then talked to a few tire stores and chose 31" BFG A/T's rather then the average 30"  most said was the biggest i could fit in my ZJ. So yea i have come down to saying that the best way is to look at what othrs have done and figure out what you do the most and then put on what you think is the best fit...even if ya dont have full flex.  

Thanks for the information! I wouldn't mind the trial and error method effort if my TJ wasn't my daily driver or had family budget constraints so I appreciate any advice from those with experience I can get . I'd love to say that having "full articulation" or running 35's with different gearing is what I need...but that is simply not the case. Here in mid-Michigan (Jackson) I don't have knowledge or access to any trails legally open to OHV use. The Sand Dunes I mentioned are at Silver Lake State Park http://www.michigan.gov/dn on the West side of the state. From northern Indiana it would be about the same distance as from Jackson...3 +/- hours and well worth the trip. The dunes opened April 1 and I'm hoping to get over there soon, I've been there before on Quads, Motocross bikes and trucks, but not in a Jeep, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm originally from Muncie, IN. which is a rather flat part of the state...so if you know of any areas in Northern Indiana open to OHV vehicles, I'd like to hear about them!

Thanks,

Jerry