What are my limitations?

[Alex G.]

I've mentioned before that i'm in the market for new (bigger) tires. I am in a '98 Sahara w/ stock tires & wheels.

I went to Discount Tire last weekend for some window shopping & was quoted about $150-200/tire for 31's (don't remember the brand).

Without a lift, is that the max (31's) i could run w/ my jeep? What are my limitations as far as wheels & tires go for stock?

I hope the "there is no such thing as a dumb question" rule still applies. :)

[Fire Ball]

For a wrangler it is generally acceptable to run 31's stock level.

For 33's at LEAST 2" with a 1" body lift or 3-4 " lift.

I run the 2" / 1" and have just a little rubbing bot not on metal.

Look around, you might be able to find gently used 31's for pretty cheap on craigslist or in the for sale section here.

[p14175]

This question comes up fairly frequently. While going to a 31" tire sounds like the next logical step, I would recommend going to a 33 or 34 instead. Why? Because after you put 31" tires on your TJ you'll start eyeballing the next size up. It might cost a little more to make this jump, but I think you'll feel better about it.

One other thing you might consider when you increase tire size (this will add to the cost) is to go with 16" or 17" wheels if your TJ doesn't already have them. Two reasons: (1) Light truck tires for 15" wheels are starting to be phased out by the tire manufacturers, (2) 16" or 17" wheels provide you with more space for larger brakes.

Before making any tire size change, go through the calculations to see if ring & pinion upgrades are needed. Big tires are great, but they rob you of power and fuel mileage. There are several calculators on the internet, this was the first one I found. There are others. You might want to do a search and check those out as well.

http://www.4lo.com/calc/geartire.htm

Do your own research and ask a lot of questions before making any changes to your Jeep. Take what advice you get on the internet with a grain of salt. When you go to buy tires, r&ps, or anything else make sure you know what you want. On my last round of upgrades I got bad advice from two very popular 4x4 shops. Of course, I did my homework in advance and knew they were full of beans. I ended up using a third shop that didn't have any problems doing what I wanted.

Good luck!

[Alex G.]

Thank you both for your advice. Some very good information. I have some homework to do.

[Fire Ball]

I thought I would never go bigger than 33's so I bought them first and bypassed the 31's.

Now I'm in the market for new sawzall blades and 37's :D

Bill

[Kelly P]

Your right Bill, I was thinkin the same thing

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Theres no dumb question here! Thats what this forum is about newbie questions....ask away!

Jason

[GRUNT]

I had 31s on my shackle lift. Then I got the superlift 3.5" lift. My buddies laughed saying it would look silly but it wasn't bad, and I got good articulation for a leaf lift. On a TJ it might look silly cause a 4" lift for a TJ is a true 4" lift. I have recently gone to 33"s but only because I have a 4cyl. The 4cyl will last forever but when the truck is paid off next year I get to put $ into savings and my jeep. I have already planned the budget and equipment/parts needed! Just want that money! Doing the 4.6 swap/auto/9"rear and SOA.... DAMN, what I am trying to say is you'll never be done... :D
31s will work fine if you got a TJ, but I agree with Fire Ball.

[xjstocker]

get a plan. and stick to it. like body lift, MM lift, belly up. then run like a RE 3.5 or4.5 superflex kit then get 33sor 35s. if you need tires now get 31s of choice. do the upgrades as the tires wear. then when tire time comes up get tires you want and if you want upgrade rims as well. i on the other hand had a plan, blew it up, now ive decided to upgrade as i break. so who am i to give advice. do what you want as you want

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

get a plan. and stick to it. like body lift, MM lift, belly up. then run like a RE 3.5 or4.5 superflex kit then get 33sor 35s. if you need tires now get 31s of choice. do the upgrades as the tires wear. then when tire time comes up get tires you want and if you want upgrade rims as well. i on the other hand had a plan, blew it up, now ive decided to upgrade as i break. so who am i to give advice. do what you want as you want

I agree....I always have a plan when I build a rig.....then it changes as time goes on and wheelin terrain changes etc....

Jason

[lancetkenyon]

I was the same way. Thought the 32s would be fine. Then thought about 33s, but went to 35s instead. Now running 37s, and thinking of the future.............

32s will fit on your Jeep, with just a touch of rub at flex.

[SHNIPE]

32s and lockers (even with the d35) and you can make jsut about everything. Junky walked a grip of lines that bigger tired rigs had trouble with

[DanFelix]

I went to 33's with a 2" spring spacer lift installed for $298, I also had to adjust the steering travel stops by 3/16" (3 flat washers each side) which took about 10 minutes to do. I get a little rubbing on the front tires in max turns, that's it.

[BeaterXJ]

you could get a good set of 31's and would be happy with them. you could even but a budget lift and make room for up to 33's but stick w/ 31's. and i would almost stay w/ a 15" wheel b/c the tire prices are cheaper. if you locked the front axle and had 31's or 32's i think you would be happy with what u could do:)

[Texas]

I've got a '97 Sahara with a 3.5" lift and 33s. Now I'm getting ready to rebuild and go bigger! Thinkin 5.5" RE Long Arm with 35s or 37s. 31s or 32s will get you through the trails, but you will be nicking the underside a fair amount.

Keep in mind that the Sahara flares will get rubbed on a fair amount with larger tires when you're flexing. Mine haven't torn off, but that just means that I'm not trying hard enough. Oh, another thing, if you are going to wheel go ahead an take of the stock step ASAP. You'll be loosing it either way, so try not to rip it off on a rock like I did. Harder to take off.