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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Any of you out there try fitting 32" tires on RE3.5 lift? Currently I am running a RE 3.5 lift with 31" tire and rock crawler rims (4.5 BS) behind a ARB front bumper. It has no problem clearing. But my tire are due for a change and I am wondering if any of you try running 32's with just 3.5 lift??
 
I plan on doing it next summer. I could fit 31's on my BB just fine. Couldn't see why you couldn't fit 32's with an extra 1" or so.
 
im running your exact setup, minus the arb. 3.5 RE, 32x11.5, and rockcrawlers with the same backspacing. i just had to trim my bumper a little bit. you will want to pound the metal seam on the inside of your front fender down with a hammer though to prevent your tires from getting some unwanted siping. if you dont know what im talking about ill take a pic.
 
Here's a pic of 32s on 4.5. No rubbing, no trimming needed.


Image



Hunter
 
Texas ZJ1 said:
Here's a pic of 32s on 4.5. No rubbing, no trimming needed.


Hunter

It looks like the front bumper has been trimmed a little, maybe its just the pic.

That ZJ is higher than mine. I have a 3 inch kit with 1.75 spacers. I knew that the springs have settled, but it appears they have really settled. Abuse is getting to them I guess. To run 32's I had to trim the front bumper and the pinch weld on the inside rear of the inner front fender area.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
piku303 said:
you will want to pound the metal seam on the inside of your front fender down with a hammer though to prevent your tires from getting some unwanted siping. if you dont know what im talking about ill take a pic.
I have an idea about what you're saying. In the past I had a set of Eagle Alloys wheels with 3.5 or 3.75 BS and each time I took a sharp turn the outer corner of my tire would rub up against the inner edge of my fender. That's when I changed over to the Rock Crawlers. If you can get some picture (or pictures) of that I really appreciated. Did you ever try running it with the disconnect off?
 
yeah ill take some pics tomorrow of what im talking about and post them. dude honestly the setup you have right now can flex awsomely even with the swaybar links connected. i haven't disconnected mine to wheel as its never been needed but im sure it would rub if flexed to full with them disconnected. what kind of terrain are you wheeling in? i live in GA and its mostly mud pits and tight, muddy trails through woods. its not exactly rock crawling but ive still gone over some pretty uneven terrain and never had an issue with wheels lifting off the groud with the sway bars connected.
 
piku303 said:
yeah ill take some pics tomorrow of what im talking about and post them. dude honestly the setup you have right now can flex awsomely even with the swaybar links connected. i haven't disconnected mine to wheel as its never been needed but im sure it would rub if flexed to full with them disconnected. what kind of terrain are you wheeling in? i live in GA and its mostly mud pits and tight, muddy trails through woods. its not exactly rock crawling but ive still gone over some pretty uneven terrain and never had an issue with wheels lifting off the groud with the sway bars connected.
Hmmm that is interesting. When I get my RE I will have to try it with Swaybars connected and disconnected. They problem I have now is not having the front wheels come off the ground is that it flex's like #2. It doesn't keep the Jeep level up front.
 
The RE sway bar links will be longer to compensate for the lift but they are also designed to flex way better than the stock ZJ ones. Look at your stock links compared to the RE ones. The stock ones only pivot at one end whereas the RE ones can on both ends increasing axle articulation.
 
Ahh cool. I haven't looked much at the RE links yet. But cool thanks for the info [smilie=bal_cool.gif] . The RE flexs really good, so I will be happy as we have a lot of uneven terrain up here. I hope I can fit the 32's without cutting the front bumper though. I guess we will see when I get the tires.
 
yes, that front bumper was trimmed by Mr. Dremel.

This is how it looks now.

Image


Image



Hunter
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
piku303 said:
what kind of terrain are you wheeling in? i live in GA and its mostly mud pits and tight, muddy trails through woods. its not exactly rock crawling but ive still gone over some pretty uneven terrain and never had an issue with wheels lifting off the groud with the sway bars connected.
The terrain here is pretty similar to your neck of the woods. We usually go about 30 or so miles east of Seattle and we have alot of deep pot hole trails, mud trails (lots of mud here lately), narrow trails, hilly trails and all of the above trails. Like you I haven't done rock trails yet.
 
Texas ZJ1 said:
yes, that front bumper was trimmed by Mr. Dremel.


Hunter
It looks good.

Don't be afraid to trim the front bumper to fit 32's. If you want 32's, make room for them. You don't have to be a auto body pro to make it look right. Just take your time and get a line to follow.

I just trimmed down the side and used a line of tape down the side to follow. I used a cutting wheel, but use what you are comfortable with...(cutting wheel, dremmel tool, jigsaw). I left the plastic inner fender attached, and just pushed the whole thing forward into the section of the front bumper that is left. I will have to get some pics. It is easy to do, and you can't even tell that I have trimmed my bumper unless you really look for it.
 
The problem isn't trimming to fit 32s. It can become a problem when disconnected off road and you start having tire to fender contact problems.



Hunter
 
I'm not afraid to trim the fender, just really don't want to have to do that. I think I will take it offroad and really see if I need to trim it. Thanks for all the info. Can't wait to do this...only 4 more months. Thanks for all the info [smilie=bowdown.gif]
 
How much did you have to trim. I'm putting on my lift 2 hours away since my friends have all the tools and won't get my tires on till after I get back up here. I can live with a trimmed bumper.
 
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