I currently have a stock 90 XJ but going to beefin it up but I want to go offroading now and I don't want to get stuck so I am figuring on upgrading my tires first but I want to upgrade them to 33" but I don't know if they will fit without a lift on it. also if the 33s wont fit then what is the largest tire that will fit on it (I don't want it to look dinky when I put the lift on it).  

I wish i could help ya on the tire size issue,but i think you hit it right on the button on making the tire choice first! and you also answered the question,down the blog,tires are the single most important component of your four by!you know why?  

33"s will definitley not fit under your xj without a lift. I'm going to be getting a 6.5" lift kit on my 91' xj and it will only fit 33x12.5 tires. im not sure about the largest tire size that you can fit on it right now though, but its probably around a 29" or a 30" would be my guess. you might have to trim the fenders though.  

Nevermind, I was wrong. the largest tire you can fit is a 31", but it rubs, and the largest tire size the 6.5" lift im getting fits is a 35". I would say you should get a 4 inch lift then put 33s on it, but thats just me. so if your just gonna get tires then a lift get 31s, but if your gonna get the lift and tires at the same time, get the 4 inch with the 33s.  

I HAVE A 90 XJ, WIT A PRO-COMP 3" LIFT AND 31" BFG ALL TERRAINS. THEY WOULD STILL SCRUB IN THE FRONT WHILE TURNING. ONCE I TOOK OFF THE FENDER FLARES, THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. STOCK... I WOULD SAY SOMETHING AROUND A 28" TIRE, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR FENDERS.  

i would say with stock height   a set of 30 or 31's would be best  they should tuck right under there  

You're going to need at least a 6" lift and a BFH to fit 33's under an XJ...

If you want big tires keep saving and do it all at once, that way you don't end up buying tires twice.  

i had 30's on mine before i did my lift and they fit real good you could prob even slam a set of 31's under her  

you can install TJ wrangler fender flares and run 33-35" rubber on a 4" lift.

31's with stock suspension and the tj flares.
pick up a July 08 issue of JP magazine, and read up on the cheap tire clearance article.

check em out...

 

alright. here's what i did....i've got a '91 xj with a 3 inch lift. (have had it with the lift for 3 years now. I started out with 31x10.5 tires on it (all terrains) worked great with the lift and got me up stuff i wouldn't imagine. once it became time for new tires, i pulled off the cheap plastic fender flairs and cut about an inch off the fenders with a grinder. Now I have 32x11.5 bfg ta/km muds on her and i now destroy buddies that had the same lift and tires as i used to. I still have the 3 inch lift on it and the only times i rub are when i'm really flexing out....so it's no big deal. If you throw some 33's on it you up your chances of blowing a rear end, axels, etc. Plus they are heavier and you lose power. There is not a trail i've gone up in colorado that i couldn't make it to the top. I was reccomended allthis by a buddy that had it on his jeep and i can't thank him enough.