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Jeep Wrangler Tires and Wheels

226 messages,  Last post on Sep 19, 2011 at 1:38 PM

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What is this discussion about? Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Jeep Scrambler, Jeep CJ-5, Jeep CJ-7, Tires, Wheels, SUV

Messages Page 7 of 24

#55 of 226 31" tires and 2" suspension lift? by tecker2

Apr 15, 2007 (8:31 am)

I'm thinking about going from 215/70/R15's to 31 inch tires. I also was thinking about a 2 inch suspension lift for a more agressive look. 1) Would the susp. lift just be a waste of $$.. 2) Would there be much if any impact with engine sluggishness with the 31"s. 3) Would this scenario mess with drivetrain, create "death wooble" etc.
2002 Wrangler Sport, 4.0, Auto, new to me Jeep! Will be buying new rims and tires.

#56 of 226 Re: 31" tires and 2" suspension lift? [tecker2] by mac24

Apr 15, 2007 (11:30 am)

Replying to: tecker2 (Apr 15, 2007 8:31 am)
1: No.
 
2: Some, but minimal.
 
3: Not as long as you plan for the possibility for a motor mount lift (or transfer case drop) if necessary.

#57 of 226 Re: 31" tires and 2" suspension lift? [mac24] by erickpl

Apr 16, 2007 (5:18 am)

Replying to: mac24 (Apr 15, 2007 11:30 am)
1: No.
  
2: Some, but minimal.
  
3: Not as long as you plan for the possibility for a motor mount lift (or transfer case drop) if necessary.
 
What mac said, but to expand. 31's should fit with no problem on your stock suspension. BUT, a 2" lift will set you up if you want to go up to 32's down the road. 31's will still look nice with a 2" lift and you'll have lotsa room for flex.
 
It is not a waste as you do get a nicer tire/aggressive look with that lift.
 
You shouldn't have a vibe problem with that lift, but a motor mount lift will really cure that (that is one way to fix the potential problem, and probably the cheapest unless you want to lower the t-case, which seems backwards to me). Death wobble again shouldn't be an issue, but each Jeep is different. If you ensure all steering linkages are secure like they are supposed to be, your tires are well balanced, and your steering geometry is relatively stock, you should be good.
 
-Paul

#58 of 226 Re: Jeep Lift / Tires + backspacing question [mac24] by karlw90

Apr 16, 2007 (6:59 am)

Replying to: mac24 (Apr 12, 2007 7:32 am)
Ooops! I actually had read Tom's post before, but I mixed up the washer thing for the backspacing instead of the steering stop.
 
After deciding with 32" tires, I'm just going with a 2" lift. I'm assuming that is all I need.
 
Also, after reading Tom's post, and an article on TireRack, I'm still a little confused about backspacing. Assuming the stock rims on the Jeep have 5.5 backspacing (I know I read that somewhere), if I go from 30x9.5 to 32x11.5, does that mean I need an additional 2" of backspacing, meaning I want a rim with 3.5" backspacing? Or do I want 7.5"? Or does it even matter??
 
Thanks!

#59 of 226 Re: Jeep Lift / Tires + backspacing question [karlw90] by erickpl

Apr 16, 2007 (7:14 am)

Replying to: karlw90 (Apr 16, 2007 6:59 am)
No, you don't need an additional 2" of BS. Remember, your tires are 1" wider on the outside, and 1" wider on the inside. So if you really wanted to compensate for that 1", you would want 3.5" of BS. That is a VERY low BS amount IMO. 3.75 to 4.25" is about ideal for that setup. I have 4.25" of BS on my stock Canyons, but I added the SpiderTrax wheel spacers. It took the 5.5" and reduced the effective backspacing 1.25" to 4.25" and they work just fine. These are not washers. Do a Yahoo or Google search and you'll see what they are.
 
5.5" BS and 32x11.5's will rub when you turn. You can adjust the steering stops by adding washers to THEM, as described at http://www.4x4xplor.com/steerstop.html.
 
Here are the SpiderTrax spacers, as installed on my rear drums:
 

 
-Paul

#60 of 226 Re: 31" tires and 2" suspension lift? [erickpl] by tecker2

Apr 16, 2007 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: erickpl (Apr 16, 2007 5:18 am)
Thanks for the complete info, I appreciate that. Seems like the jeepers out there really are into building their own. Now for the bad news, found out today from the dealer that they want to put in a new front axle. The local jeep guys say I can just get a fabricator and put in one new front right axle mount. (The jeep was hit from the side and bent the axle mount) I've been on the internet now for the last two hours, looking for front TJ axle mount brackets, but not coming close. Any ideas out there? Yes, the whole axle is shifted over, but someone did on hell of an alignment, ;cause it drives straight!

#61 of 226 Re: 31" tires and 2" suspension lift? [tecker2] by mac24

Apr 16, 2007 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: tecker2 (Apr 16, 2007 8:02 pm)
Now for the bad news, found out today from the dealer that they want to put in a new front axle.
 
I don't remember your tire and lift question relating to an accident, but why is getting a new axle bad news? Unless you have no insurance I'd jump at it. There could well be internal damage associated with the impact, but it may not be apparent for a few thousand miles. Unless the axle housing has been stripped and measured you can't tell that it's still straight.
 
However, assuming that the housing is straight and is internally undamaged, it's no big deal to cut off, straighten, then reweld a mounting bracket. It just requires careful measuring.
 
Most aftermarket axle suppliers (like Currie) carry rear brackets and you may be able to modify one of those, but straightening the bent one or just fabricating a new one would probably be more cost effective.

#62 of 226 Re: 31" tires and 2" suspension lift? [mac24] by erickpl

Apr 17, 2007 (5:56 am)

Replying to: mac24 (Apr 16, 2007 8:27 pm)
Like Mac said, free axle? GO FOR IT!
 
ask em for a D44 front axle from a Rubicon! Just make sure they have the same gearing as the rear.
 
Dana 30's are stock, but if you can manage a Rubicon D44, that'd be sweet. You can also possibly work it out to get Super 30 shafts, which are stronger than the stock shafts. Use this opportunity to go with stronger u-joints too, and you'll be much better off should you decide to venture offroad with it.
 
Remember, there are no accidents - just opportunities to mod and upgrade!
 
-Paul

#63 of 226 Re: 31" tires and 2" suspension lift? [erickpl] by tecker2

Apr 17, 2007 (6:29 am)

Replying to: erickpl (Apr 17, 2007 5:56 am)
Thanks again guys. Unfortunately this was undisclosed damage, so it is on my dime. So, I think I'll just try to fix it (add better axle mounts? and control arms?) and then wait to see if anything goes bad in the next year or so. Then start upgrading parts. I did find front axle mounts at Tellico4x4.com and a whole kit at Northridge4x4.com.
 
Paul, I like the philosophy, "opportunities to mod and upgrade" That works for me.

#64 of 226 Re: Lift, Tires, and Rims [rowland08] by kgabehurt

Apr 30, 2007 (6:33 am)

Replying to: rowland08 (Feb 27, 2007 2:01 pm)
I'm new to this board but would like someone to explain to me if the following scenario is possible. I'm looking at an 07' Wrangler Sahara (2-door) 4WD. The wheel setup includes 18" Aluminum rims and P255/170R 18 tires. I noticed on the Unlimited Sahara (4-door) model the rims/wheels are: 17" aluminum rims and P255/17R17 tires. The wider tires look BETTER. My question is can one get the wider tires on a Sahara but in 18" height? In other words the best of both worlds?

Messages Page 7 of 24

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