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Jeep Wrangler

23393 messages,  Last post on Feb 12, 2013 at 3:29 PM

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What is this discussion about? Jeep Wrangler, SUV

Messages Page 2156 of 2340

#21544 of 23393 Re: Lew [99tj] by eastcoastdiver

May 14, 2006 (9:21 am)

Replying to: 99tj (May 07, 2006 5:39 pm)
hey everyone! just bought a new (used) 2005 wrangler rocky mountain edition with just under 1000 miles. i'm a scuba instructor and will be using the jeep to go to and from the beach parking lot every day. on days off i'd like to cruise on the beach and surf/fish. no mudding, rock-crawling, etc.
 
now i've only had her for a few days but i'm already thinking about getting a rhino professionally sprayed from firewall to tailgate and putting on the 31" bfg's you guys have been discussing.
 
i have two seperate issues...
 
1) i've gotten two estimates for the rhino near boston... for a grand and 1100. this price includes them taking off the top and the entire interior. i've got an apartment in boston and absolutely cannot find space to store a jeep's interior. i've talked to my boss about storing the hardtop in the shop's basement and i'm planning on selling the rear seat (i need room for scuba gear)... hopefully these two mssing pieces of equipment might lower the price a few bucks. has anyone in here paid this much for a rhino? also, can the inner wheel wells be rhino'd? should i do this?
 
2) i'm sure i'm not the only newbie who is confused by tire size and backspacing and rubbing and liffting discussions. i'm already convinced of the look and quality of the 31x10.5 bfg... thanks for the recommendation... but i'm also intrigued by the super swamper sts trxus all terrain 31x11.50 (tirepackage.com... $117). has anyone got these? will these fit on my jeep? i was looking at using mickey thompson rims with 3 5/16" backspacing from my friends jeep if these wouldn't work with the stock rims. i do not want to have the vehicle lifted.
 
i appreciate any help... sorry my first post was so long...
 
jackson

#21545 of 23393 eastcoastdiver by tsjay

May 14, 2006 (10:27 am)

Congratulations on that Jeep purchase!
 
The backspacing of the wheels is what determines how close the inside of the tires will be to the frame of the vehicle.
 
More backspacing pulls the tires in closer to the frame, and less backspacing pushes the tires outward from the frame. Factory Jeep wheels have 5.5" of backspacing, which is a good bit, and this means that tires wider than 10.50" will almost certainly rub on the spring perches in the back and on the lower control arms up front.
 
Here's a diagram to help you understand backspacing.
 

 
You can see that it is where the mounting pad is located in relation to the inner and outer rims of the wheel that determines how much the tires will "stick out." Backspacing is defined as the distance from the mounting pad to the inner rim of the wheel, as shown in the diagram.
 
So, it is the backspacing of the wheels that determines the maximum width for the tires on a particular vehicle.
 
The tire diameter is usually limited by the clearance in the fender wells. Remember, the tires will move up and down as uneven terrain is encountered, so they have to have room to travel without hitting something.
 
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

#21546 of 23393 Re: Lew [eastcoastdiver] by mac24

May 14, 2006 (10:59 am)

Replying to: eastcoastdiver (May 14, 2006 9:21 am)
re: 2) On sand you want a tire that's as wide as possible with the least aggressive tread. The idea is to have the lowest contact pressure by spreading the load over as wide an area as possible. The Super Swampers you're considering are designed to dig in to get grip, which is what you don't want on the beach.
 
Do consider regular washing of the mechanical components as well as the body. Salt water and salty sand are among some of the worst things you introduce to the chassis, drivetrain, steering, and suspension.
 
I used to be able to fit four tanks and the gear for two people in the back of Suzuki Samurai (and tow the inflatable), so you'll be good with your new Wrangler!

#21547 of 23393 backspacing by eastcoastdiver

May 14, 2006 (3:41 pm)

thanks tom/mac!
 
tom, the diagram has sorted me out for the most part. very clear concept.
 
mac, thanks for the tips. lots of surfing buddies have also told me its the width of the tire i should be most interested in.
 
i've been reading lots of these posts the last couple of days... you two guys are studs... you get paid to dispense all of this jeep knowledge?
 
i'll try to check back in every week for more tips

#21548 of 23393 Re: backspacing [eastcoastdiver] by mac24

May 14, 2006 (5:45 pm)

Replying to: eastcoastdiver (May 14, 2006 3:41 pm)
... you get paid to dispense all of this jeep knowledge?
 
Nah, no pay.............but they do let us pick our own hours!

#21549 of 23393 Re: backspacing [mac24] by mtngal

May 14, 2006 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: mac24 (May 14, 2006 5:45 pm)
LOL! I wish they would pay me for all this time - I'd make a FORTUNE!

#21550 of 23393 Re: '06 Jeep Wrangler X model question... [iwntajeep] by drewmeister

May 15, 2006 (8:10 am)

Replying to: iwntajeep (May 12, 2006 5:20 pm)
Believe has excellent advice. Treat the trade-in and the new Jeep separately. In the end, everything comes down to profit minus costs of goods sold, so the dealer is going to offer as low as possible on the Grand in order to make more when turning it around.
 
Here's a great option, and I did this myself, so I know it worked. Take your Grand to a Carmax. They will drive it and do a quick inspection. Then, they'll give you a written piece of paper with an offer. If you get an offer of less from the dealer, Carmax will still buy the Grand from you. At least you know your baseline (which is usually pretty close to the Kelley Blue Book "good" range).
 
When negotiating without the "smoke and mirrors" of trades and "trade difference", it makes getting to the question of "what am I paying for the car?" much easier.
 
One other possible suggestion. Look into a 2004 or 2005 "pre-owned" Wrangler. I was looking into new Unlimiteds when I did exactly what I describe above. The dealer called me three times on the day I wanted to come in to "confirm" my appointment. They were even making me choose a color over the phone (so they could "gas one up" for the test drive was their reason). Finally, when the sales manager got pushy on the phone trying to get me to come in sooner (not that I had a JOB or anything) I bailed on them. At the time, new Unlimited were stickering for just under $26k. This was before all the 0% and employee special deals. When I went to get a trade value at Carmax, they had an 04 with 9k miles on it for $21k. And I love it. Even still had that new hardtop smell inside that will remind you of a boat (well, it does for me at least, but I'm also plainly nuts). Plus, transferred the remaining factory warranty over. I'm sure you could do even better now that the new Wrangler JK is expected in showrooms within a few months.

#21551 of 23393 Re: Roll Bar Holes [mac24] by zeist

May 15, 2006 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: mac24 (May 12, 2006 1:08 pm)
I appreciate the advice and the correction, but I really don't want to spend the money and buy original padding. For now I just bought some screws with rubber washers. My Jeep is going to be a step by step process and right now my eye is on a lift.

#21552 of 23393 Then and Now by mac24

May 15, 2006 (1:48 pm)


 
I really like how little it's changed over the years.

#21553 of 23393 Re: Then and Now [mac24] by mtngal

May 15, 2006 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: mac24 (May 15, 2006 1:48 pm)
That's the nicest looking green Jeep I've ever seen. All of the ones I remember were painted camouflage and were usually dented here and there. Certainly brings back memories...

Messages Page 2156 of 2340

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