Fender flare question.

About how much larger of a tire will bushwhacker style flares allow me to stuff without significant rub?

I am looking into smaller lifts, such as a 3.5 or less, but I want to be able to have larger tires without raising the center of gravity significantly.

I got 33/12.5 under mine with RE 3.5.

I've got a '98 XJ that had a RE 3.5" lift. When I tried 33x12.5s under it they hit sheetmetal when turning. So we put 1 1/2" longer shackles in the rear & "hockey pucks" up front. Did a little more trimming to fit bushwacker style cut-out fender flares & everything is okay. Now, the tires rub the bottom of the wheel wells but that's okay with me since the XJ gets excellent overall flex and does well off-road.
hth, dn