How High?

[commandino]

I want to run 33's how high to go?
SUA how much lift needed no trimming?
SOA if this high enough with no trimming?
Prefer not to body lift either!!!

[HOWDY]

Go for a 3 or 4 inch spring under. You more than likely need new springs anyway and I can guarantee that a soa will break 35 year old stock leaves if not cracked already. Will fit 33 10.5's with no trimming. Go with Alcan spring. Do it right the first time so you do not have to do it again.

[Tim]

33x1050R15's are a good choice over the 33x12.50R15's for clearance and steering radius issues. Not sure if anyone besides BFG makes that size though. An alternative would be 255/85R16 which is slightly taller and narrower at 33.3" x 10". Not as many choices as the 33x12.50's, but more than the 33x10.50's. Maxxis Bighorn Maxxis.com and Interco TrXus TrXus MT / STS :: Interco Tire are a couple of tires that are more agressive than the BFG MT BFGoodrich Tires | Mud-Terrain™ T/A® KM | Tire Overview, all available in the 255/85R16 size.

I also like to avoid body lifts. Since the rear tends to sag a bit, I'd recommend going with at least a 4" front and 4 1/2 - 5" rear set of springs. Alcan is a good place for them. Alcan Spring - Manufactures Fine Custom Leaf Springs

[heavymetaljeep]

Super Swamper also makes a 34 x 10.50 in their LTB series of tires. They also have a 34 x 9.5 Swamper that looks pretty wicked. I kinda like the look of the tall skinnies, plus they would tuck better giving good clearance. I'm looking to go this route... SUA 4" lift w/ 34 x 9.5 Swampers. I shouldn't have any clearnce issues in the rear since my rear fenders were trimmed by a previous owner. Lets see some pics of your project!

[commandino]

At this time it is bone stock. I know I will have to purchase new springs no matter which way I choose. The whole point to both of my posts is trying to decide which way to go. SUA/SOA. I have a Dana 44 59" WMS from a 1972 Chevy K-5 Blazer(SOA) and a Dana 30 52" WMS from a 1975 CJ-5(SUA). Currently the rear springs are 2.5" multi-leaf and the fronts are 2.0". I prefer the tall narrow look as well, and will run 33X10 of one sort or another. Whether I go with 15" or 16" wheels is a decision that will need to be made as well. I would prefer to not trim the body at all if possible. I will trim the rear if neccesary and also have a set of rubber fender flares(universal kind) to help with tire coverage. I pretty much refuse to use and will stay away from a body lift. Here are a couple of pics.

[rocjeepn]

They do make a 33x11.50x16 Super Swamper Thornbird.. I have 5 brand new ones in my garage..

[commandino]

To All; I turly appreciate all the input. But at this time the question remains. How High? Let's talk suspension not tires. Will SOA be enough for 33's??? How much lift for SUA to clear 33's???

[Tim]

When someone says they want to clear 33's, I try to throw out the alternative 33, (10 or 10.50 wide), but if you go with the most common 33, (12.50 wide), it will require more lift to clear the fenders, (rears are the ones that have issues usually requiring trimming).

SOA will yield appx. 5 1/2" lift over stock sua. Mike Childs ran soa with 33x12.50R15's and very minor rear fender trimming, but now is running 37x12.50R15's with well-trimmed rear fenders. Here's a page of his with pics of both versions at the bottom of the page that can be enlarged by clicking on them, (I've included the pic below, which can also be enlarged by clicking on it): Jeepster Build-up home page


Here's another tech article on lift for tire size: American Jeepster Club Note that at the top of the page of this link is Mike's rig with the 37's and "Punkin," a '71 I helped build for my brother-in-law next to Mike's. Punkin has 56" wide D-44's F&R and the 255/85R16 BFG MT's. Alcan sua springs 4" front with 1" shackle lift, 4 1/2" rear with 2" spacer blocks between frame and shackle mounts and 1" shackle lift.

Hope this gives you what you are looking for.

[commandino]

That's it that is the information I needed. I love the look of Mike's rig wtih the 33's. I even think the rear fenders look better trimmed like that, matches the front better. I will start wtih the Dana 44 I have at 59" WMS, SOA and if that proves to be too wide narrow it later. Tim thanks for the link and pics they helped alot. Is Mike's rig running stock springs in that pic or did he have some made?

[Tim]

Originally Posted by commandino

I will start wtih the Dana 44 I have at 59" WMS, SOA and if that proves to be too wide narrow it later.

Keep in mind that to use that axle full width will require outboarding of the spring mounts or you will have one side sticking out more than the other. In my soa conversion, I chose to use Dodge axles as they are 67 1/2" wide. I narrowed the driver's side of the front 5 1/2" to come up with a 62" wide wms to wms axle and used the original Jeepster spring mounting positions under the frame, but I changed hangers to accomodate the 2 1/2" wide springs that Dodge, Chevy and Jeeep YJ Wrangler used. I'd recommend you go with 2 1/2" wide springs over the 1 3/4" or 2" wide fronts that Jeep used on Jeepsters and Commndos.

Another thing to consider is that I would guess the CHP and such mght not like uncovered tires sticking out, (which would be the case with 59" wide axles). I have 7" wide flares that just cover the tread with my 62" wide front axle and 12.50 wide tires, (my rear is 60" wide, so no problem). Unless you plan on trailering your rig, you may be easy pickings for law enforcement to ticket.

Originally Posted by commandino

Is Mike's rig running stock springs in that pic or did he have some made?

If you click on the first link in my previous post, you can read about Mike's springs. Be advised that that was written a long time back and the price of steel and springs has gone up. I chose Alcan, Alcan Spring - Manufactures Fine Custom Leaf Springs, for both Punkin and my own rig. They have made many springs for Jeepster and Commando owners over the years.