Planning on running a 3" BDS lift along with stock wheels for the time being. I want max flex, and less shenanigans to not have my wheels rub. Opinions, advice? 2012 JKU. Wife finally have me the go ahead to start blowing all of my money on my rig.

 

35's. With that much lift 33's will look small and you will be wishing you went bigger. If there is any doubt at all, go larger!

 

When in doubt, go big right? I'd kill to go 3.5/4", but I'm just an enlisted grunt, I ain't made outta money to modify everything that would need to happen. 35s were my initial go to size, but I figure 33"s will allow more flex.

 

Don't forget the wheel spacers.

 

You don't need to modify anything to run 35's other than maybe wheel spacers if you keep the stock rims. Just do it and drive it. I have 25k miles on my 35" km2's on stock driveshaft and c's and everything else. No damage. No worries. No problems.

 

I do plan on procuring rims that are 17x8 with a backspace of 4.25, and if my understanding is correct I won't need spacers, as long as I don't have more than 4.5 backspace. I've read that with the higher lift driveshafts like to go bad, and that's something I'm not interested in. Mind posting a pic of your ride so I can have an idea of what I'm looking at?

 

35's 2.5" of lift

 

X2. I think it's a good balance between looks and functionality

 

Looks wise, definitely the 35's. But how much street driving vs offroad time, and what gears are you running? Obviously fuel economy will take a bigger hit, as well as wear and tear with the bigger tires..

 

33s are hardly any larger than stock. Seems like a bad use of money unless you need new tires. Even then, pick up some used, like new Rubi tires. If you decide on 33s, I'd consider no lift and just doing a little trimming for clearance. Your Jeep will ride better and do just as well off road.

Suspension lift has very little to do with flex. In fact, it's pretty easy to put a lift on with 35s, and gain no flex or even lose flex.

If you haven't yet, read Dirtman's post on lifts.