33s Vs35s

This subject has probably been beaten to death but here goes. I just picked up a '76 CJ5 project that had beeb sitting in the corner of a garage for 20 years. Tires look great but don't want to run tires that old on the street so I'm looking for a new set. It currently has 32s on it and what I'm guessing to be a 2-1/2" lift. How much trouble would it be going either way. I'm sure I'd have to do more to fit 35s than 33s but are there easy ways to do either? I want it to "look" right, I've seen some either way that have looked good and bad. BTW this will be mostly a street queen with maybe an occasional off-road jaunt, def not anything hardcore.

 

Simple answer: 33s generally fit. 35s don’t.

35s require trimming.

 

i have 30 yr old tires that i plan on running till they blow

 

Weight. Of the tire, leverage on suspension and steering, gears. O yea stopping them. That's a start, Ron

 

Too bad that comment got deleted, I thought it was pretty funny myself

yeah, I know the 33s would be an easier fit, my head says 33s, my heart says go big or go home

 

BTW, pics of your Jeeps with either size welcome!

 

Here's what I know, or think I know. I wanted to put 35's on my75 CJ5. I researched it. Seems that 35's are too tall for narrow tracks. I lifted 3" or so and used 33's. I have seen older Jeeps with 35's but I wouldn't.

 

I'm running 33's with a 4" lift. I'm really happy with this size.

 

Now THAT looks really good!! Nice Jeep!

 

Sorry about the extortionists’ watermark... this was 33s with no lift.

 

Looks like those just BARELY fit. It's funny how some pictures make 33s looks too small, doesn't look that way in either of those pics. Maybe the size of the lift?

 

33 x 10.50 with a 2.5 lift. And as often mentioned, bigger tires make for a wider turning radius. Not good in tight places.

 

33s stuff into the wheel openings almost perfectly. I say almost because some (depending on the actual diameter of the tire) contact the rear lip just enough to fold it in when really stuffed.

From what I’ve seen, to run 35s, you either need a huge lift to clear the openings, or move the rear axle rearward about an inch and trim the rear of the opening. The main problem is at the front of the rear wheel opening. The tread grabs the body seams that are under the seats, and there isn’t really enough meat there to trim them and stay mechanically sound.

 

33's with approx 3.5" of lift.
I second what others say about 33's. I really like the 10.5 wide variant to keep the water spray/rocks under the fenders.

 

I think you guys have me convinced here, I'm seeing some REALLY nice-looking Jeeps!

 

Going with the 33s, here's how my "new" baby sits now with the 20-year-old 32s