Minimum Lift For 33x12.5s

Hey all, I’m in the process of rebuilding the bone stock family cj5 and I’m not sure what size lift I want to put on it. I want to be able to fit 33x12.5s probably on a 15x10 wheel. I will probably go with bfg km3’s because the property I plan on doing most of my wheeling is extremely muddy. I have read many threads and I’m stuck between the 2.5 and the 4” bds lift. I don’t want a body lift, and I don’t want a shackle lift. I want pure suspension lift. I also want to keep the center of gravity as low as possible because I will want my soon to be wife, and eventually kids, to be able drive it and have the rig be somewhat stable on the road.I have read threads where they have 5 inches of lift and plenty of clearance but I want the least amount of lift to clear the 33s when wheeling. So my question is, what is the minimum amount of spring lift I need to run 33x12.5s on a 15x10 rim on a stock ‘77 CJ5, and not have it rub the fenders when doing medium off roading? I live in Florida so I won’t be able to do any rock crawling, but I don’t want to rub under medium off roading conditions.

 

I ran 33s on my 5 with no lift and super-soft springs, but I did have to trim the rear of the (rear) wheel openings a little because they stuffed deep, and the tires were catching on the lip. I’d think a 2.5” lift would be plenty. If you lower your bump stops a hair, it shouldn’t rub at all.

I will say this; be prepared to lose turning radius, and the rear tires will probably rub the paint off the rear fender well walls. The only thing that will prevent that is wider axles, wheel spacers or a custom offset wheel.

 

When I was running 32x12.5, I was using white spoke wagon wheels with a back spacing of 1.75", (purchased 1980) when I decided to get new rims, (2003) I could not find any rims with that back spacing, everything was 3.5", Finally in 2013 Summit Racing started carrying the 1.75" again, it's like running 2" wheel spacers
I am running a 2" BDS rear springs with above rims and I don't rub.

 

Thanks for input. Will the 1.75” offset be to aggressive/cause any unnecessary wear and tear to steering components, axle, etc.?

 

Bud runs 33X10.50's on his with a lil rubbin and no lift. I run 33X10.50 KM2's with about 3-1/2" lift. Still a bit of rubbing in back. 12.50's will probly rub worse.

 

This is a 20 year old sagged out Rancho 4" with 1" over shackles. I'm running 33x10.50x15 on 15x7 rims with 4" backspacing. With this combo the rears rub the top, inner with stock bump stops. The front rubs the normal places when the steering stops are not adjusted correctly, along with the front of the fender with stock bump stops. For yours I would try a 2.5" lift with 1" over shackles and adjust you bump and steering stops accordingly.

MY .02

 

Well, ...... I bought my Jeep in 78, in 80 I put 12.5x33 MTR's on, with the new spoke rims, and have run similar size tires ever since. I'm still running original wheel bearings on front, and have only replaced one ball joint. I have approx 300K on it now.

Oh BTW the rims are 15x8

 

I really like Fino's setup. 2.5 bds lift and 3/4" lift shackles on 33-10.50-15s if I recall. It works very well in action on the rubicon. That's probably roughly what I'm doing with my 74.

 

Can second this. His Jeep works really well off road for a bolt in suspension. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he's a good driver.