Help me understand lift and tire size, please...

[Freshmeat]

This may come across as me being a new guy who's just looking for immediate answers, but over the past few days I've been reading A LOT... and it looks like most people are recommending a 5.5" lift for a 33" tire. Is that really the case? My '94 Ranger has a 2" lift and 31s and it has plenty of space.

Basically, I'm planning to get this Explorer to a good place where I can have fun with it for a long time (couple years or so). When I'm ready for more hardcore stuff I'll find and build a Bronco, but I REALLY don't want to have to hear it from the Jeep guys every time I go out in this thing, so I want to make sure I get this set up the best I can for the money spent.

Is the 5.5" lift kit really a requirement for 33s or can it be done with a 4" lift and some responsible trimming? The good thing about the 5.5" is that I can just get the front equipment and SOA the rear, but that's A LOT of lift and I've always preferred a low COG.

I could go 35s, but with 33s I could at least pretend the gearing doesn't suck until I gather up the cash to gear it up, but with 35s that's not very likely.

Also- at what point are extended radius arms really recommended? I'd rather not have to get into THAT MUCH MORE expense if I can avoid it.

Please, be gentle with the flaming- I promise I've been reading myself into a frenzy with all this. What's worse is when I then try to talk to my girlfriend about it (it's her old Explorer- she's donating it to my addiction.)

As always, any and all advice (or just links) would be greatly appreciated!

 

[KPSquared]

I guess I'll reply just cause I'm here...

I've got a Superlift 5.5" and it clears 35's fine. Gonna have to do a little trimming but it should be great.

That being said, I can't see why 33's and 4" wouldn't work. I am sure I have read guys having that setup but they'll post up when they read this I would think!

Good luck.

 

[FROADER]

33s will work with a 4" lift. 35s will work if you really want them to. I had 35s on my '92 with fiberglass fenders up front. Like KPS said, you can easily get the 35s under the 5.5" lift.

33s with 4" Trailmaster (no extended arms)

35s with same lift (no extended arms) and glass front fenders.

If you know you want 35s I wouldn't waste time or money by getting 33s. Stock gearing is going to suck with 33s no matter what anyone says. Remember they say it because they don't have gears yet...

 

[Freshmeat]

Remember they say it because they don't have gears yet...

Probably the best thing I've read all day. I would absolutely want to regear ASAP, but it'll be a lot easier to do this in steps, meaning lift, then tires, then gears. No doubt it'll be a slug on 33s with stock gearing, but I have the general idea of where I want it to be.

I appreciate the quick responses, guys. I was getting the feeling that those saying the 5.5" lift is a requirement for 33s were the same guys who would absolutely recommend a SAS for 35s. Not that it wouldn't be a good thing to keep in mind, but not always a necessity.

If the 5.5" lift would be absolutely necessary for the 35s then they'd be out of the question. If I can get away with fitting them on a 4" lift with a trim and a BFH, then rock on. I'll consider it more as the time draws closer, I just wanted to get a bit of a more direct answer on what tires I could fit on a 4" lift.

Froader, I think you answered everything I wanted to know in this thread with your two pictures and the supplied captions. Thank you, Sir!

 

[Four0Sport]

you can do plenty with 4" of lift and 33s.. gearing is MUST and i have to say, ive been looking into radius arms, the stock ones limit so much.

 

[Freshmeat]

you can do plenty with 4" of lift and 33s.. gearing is MUST and i have to say, ive been looking into radius arms, the stock ones limit so much.

I agree on the gears- some Jeep guys down here keep burning up their transmissions and whining about how they're such garbage while they're running 35+ tires on stock gears.

I'll plan for the 4" lift. As for the radius arms, that may be something I do down the line, especially if I catch a deal on a used set... but for now, I'll plan on some fairly basic work (lift, tires, gears) to get it situated initially, then worry about more extraneous things like lockers, bumpers, etc.

I'm not researching for the end-all result, I'm just looking for the basic information so I don't order a 4" lift and realize that I'm stuck on a 31" tire because I was too scared to ask a question of the guys who know what they're doing.