Hi, is it possible to fit 33s with stock rims on a 90 Cherokee Laredo with just cutting the fenders or am I better off with 31s? Thanks.

If you get a wider 33 it will rub on the inside of the tire. If the 33 you run is skinny like 9.5" wide it won't. I would get a different wheel if I was you, get a 33x10.5x15 and cut your fenders.

Or stick in wheel spacers....

Depends on how much you want to cut... I'd just put a budget lift on the car and run 31's with minor trimming.

I had an 89 Cherokee and went with a basic 3" lift to accommodate 31".

I did add a 1" spacer under the front coil and used 4"lift springs rather than the add-a-leafs.

I still needed to do minor trimming in the rear fenderwell.

I have a friend who put on new wheels, 35 by 12.5 bfg muds and cut the hell out of his fenders front and rear and had no issues! His XJ.

The biggest prob I've seen with cutting on the XJ to fit the bigger tires is that you open up the space between the body metal and the inner liner panels. Basically you'll be throwing mud up between the outside and inside panels and it will land INSIDE. You need a lift and some careful trimming unless this is just a trail rig.

Cutting to fit has its place.

I am not sure that cutting a unibody vehicle to fit oversize tires is a good idea.

The Cherokee has many dual panels to aid in structural strength.

Cutting that separates that bond poses a risk to structure of the vehicle. Yes, it will be more flexible...

However, with that flexibility comes a downside - structural strength to keep critical parts in alignment. Critical parts as in axles and driveshafts.

There are many articles about body trimming to fit oversize tires. However, those are based on vehicles with a solid frame. There, the axles and driveshafts are kept in alignment by the solid frame. And, trimming body parts does not seriously impact the structural strength of the frame.

Lack of attention to trimming can lead to a mis-alignment between the driver position and the controls should the body happen to shift in relation to the frame.

Basically, if you are going to start a build-up, tires are important.

More important is a solid foundation - proper lift to accommodate the larger tires.

Cage it, lift it, and lock it -- in that order.

I agree, don't cut up an XJ if you plan on keeping it forever and daily driving it. If you cut it up it will fall apart or you will spend a ton in trying to cage it out so it won't fall apart.

Thanks for all the info., guys. This is my D.D. for now so I'll just go with the 31s and spacers. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

If you're going with a 2" budget boost, go with some good 30" tires and wait till you have $$$ for a bigger lift for bigger tires. That's what I did with the GF's Cherokee and she was wheeling everything except the "Kodak Rock" moments - no problem. I was driving behind and was VERY impressed at how well it worked - even having a back tire 3' up in the air - and she didn't even realize she done it! The Kodak Rocks were 3'-10' bouldrs and walls - I could manage the smaller ones with some damage.e