I've got a '99 Xj, I recently added a 3" lift and my next tackle is tires and wheels. I've been suggested 32"x11.50x15 but I want an offset as well. I was recommended an offset of 3, I'm assuming that's in inches. I was also told that I'd have to look into a new gear and differential set up, due to how big those tires and wheels would be. I'm mainly wanting to use my jeep for just generic offroading and primarily for mudding. I'm just trying to get some better advice before I start throwing money at it.

 

I have 31s on a 3 inch and haven't regeared. Not sure about 32s And the steering gearbox needs to be upgraded to a Durango gear box if you go above 31s like you wish to do. Also you will need to cut your fenders.

 

I run 32/11.5/15 Goodyear Wrangler MTRKs on a 3.5" lift on stock 3.55s. I plan to regear to 4.56 for better low end "umph" and so I can go up a tire size if I want to. 4.10s are ideal if you plan on staying that size. It's a bit sluggish off the line, and I sit around 2k rpms city driving, in 4th gear it's around 1400 rpm and goes up 100rpm every 5mph faster. In overdrive it goes up to 3k. Milage isn't that good, for me at least, I get around 9.5mpgs, but I have other variables causing that.

x2 on upgrading the steering box. Freshen up the steering and upper/lower ball and U-joints too. The V8 ZJ tie rod and drag link is a nice cheap upgrade from the stock XJ setup, plus it's bolt on. My stock joints got toast from all the extra beef, and my steering box blew a seal somewhere from driving with the joints being messed up.

 

I've already cut my rear fenders, I just havn't gotten around to the front end yet. So you're saying that I would have to upgrade my gears if I'm going with 32"s ?

 

I don't know if you have to or not, depends on what you already have in your axle, and if it's a 35 I would suggest an axle up grade prior to to everything else.

 

I'm running 32s with a 3.5 inch lift and I have stock 3:55 gears. I have no issues on the freeway nor offroading. Assuming you have the 8.25 rear end, you'll be fine with that rear end. Guys say to upgrade if you have a d35 but as long as you don't go above 31s I think you'll be OK unless you're planning on making it a crazy wheeler.

 

You don't need to swap the steering box. I run 35's on 6.5" lift and wheel the CRAP out of it with the stock inverted Y steering link set up on the STOCK steering box.

If the steering is loose, just go in and tighten the gearbox a LITTLE, that should help substantially. If much more than 1/4 turn is needed to reduce the play substantially, then you need to look at the bushings and TRE's.

The stock steering box is WAY beefier than people give it credit for. As long as the worm is not worn, and you don't over tighten it, it'll do fine.

If you DO go above 31's you would be wise to look at a steering box brace like this. Big tires produce a TON of force that can start to worry the sheet metal the box attaches to. Lots of posts of people ripping their steering boxes out because of metal fatigue.

You will find every opinion under the sun about whether to regear or not with larger tires, some people run 35's at the stock 3.55. Personally, I run 4.56 on 35's and while some say I should be at 4.88, the 4.56 works fine for me (I usually cruise to the trailhead on the freeway at about 80mph) BUT if you DO decide to regear, dump the Dana 35 and do an axle swap. D35's are NOT worth the money to regear. At that point, if you are not going above 35's, go to the JY and grab a D30 (HP preferred) but a LP will work fine, too. (If you are going bigger than 35's, you want to look at a D44 for 37's, and D60 for anything bigger)

 

If you have ABS brakes then you have a D35 rear differential and needs to be upgraded to a Chy 8.25 from a 97 up XJ they have a 29 spline axle and are about the same strength as a D44. In the 99 you have a HPD30 so that's all good.


The steering box is fine I run 33's and 35's with it and a upgraded ZJ V-8 TRE's, bracing for the box is good with a plate.


Now tires your best bet is to setup for a 33" tire a lot more choices and price ranges to choose from and the most ran size here, I run the 33 and 35's on my 99 now. When I was at 3" of lift I ran a 33x12:50x15" tire and the wheel you will need for anything from a 31x10.5 up to a 35x12.5 is a 15x8" with 3.75-4" of BS for a proper fitment. Many steel wheels to choose from for $40 up the BS is very important when buying the wheel.


If your planning on running a 32/33" tire you will need gears period only someone who has never had them would tell you the stock 3.55 is fine for 32/33/35" tires. With a 33" tire and a 4.56 gear it will bring the XJ back to about the stock gearing of the stock tire/gear size. It is a major upgrade no doubt the gears and lockers in mine was single biggest performance one I have done to date on mine for on and off road use. If you are able to do lockers they should be installed at the same time as gears same labor required for both so no extra labor costs.


Remember for mud you want a wider tire on your XJ. Here is an older photo of my XJ with a 3" lift and 33x12:50x15's on a Cragar Soft Eight wheel 15x8" with 3.75" of BS.

 

For rims look at cragar steel rims,The d window and soft 8 are cheap and off road you rather run a steel rim.As far as gearing most run 33s with the stock gears but once you go 35s you need to re gear it then.The stock steering box is fine unless its just wore out from use.The steering linkage you got options the cheapest is v8 zj grand cherokee 93-98 tie rod ends,They are thicker and bolt right on.The other ones pretty much make you drill out or reame your steering knuckles and pitman arm.

 

Andrew when I swapped gears from the 3.55's to the 4.56's on mine I also gained about 5 MPG and the trans did NOT up/down shift all the time any more either causing heat on level ground.

 

I have that exact same Cherokee. '99 Sport, same color as well. Thanks for the advice!

 

I am running essentially a 32x11x16 or equivelant to a 32x11.5x15. On a 3.5" a lift that settled to 3.25. I am also running 4" of backspacing. I am also running 3.55 gears. It gets around just fine, but is a dog on some hills. I can maintain 75 mph on the interstate, it just has to jump to 4500rpms to do it. I did have to trim my front fenders just a hair on the rear to make the full lock to lock turns.





265/75/16 32x11 on 33.25" lift Stock flares




265/75/16 32x11 no flares