Future switch from 33” to 35”… Questions

[BobW]

Great thread, helpful to read real-world experience as I consider whether to go to "35" (315/70) when the stock "33" (285/70) are worn out. There are conflicting threads about fender clearance when sticking with stock Rubicon suspension/lift.

Still, I wonder (my confusion?) whether the extra clearance is meaningful. I calculate 285-->315 gives 21mm (0.83") more clearance, not much. Maybe it's my mindset, having gone with more underbody armor...

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[2nd 392]

Nah, you're fine.

some places will say 8-10", others will say 7.5-11.5"...which was posted a bit earlier.



People have been doing it for years, the biggest issue you have with stock wheels, IMHO, is the backspacing can cause rubbing, but you can get spacers cheaper than rims for that.

Correct- DT will do nothing against the rules as I found out the hard way when they wouldn’t repair my 4R’s High Dollar, High Mileage Michelin due to age….. Not only did they mount 35/12.50’s on stock 7.5” wheels, they didn’t charge extra for dealing with the trim rings…. Kinda made up for having to go elsewhere for the flat repair. Lesson learned— I will never spend the money for super high mileage tires again…. No rubbing but no extreme test yet. One issue, want to run 30-32psi for proper contact patch, but when less than 34psi I’m constantly dealing with TPMS warnings after a cold night, considering a Tazer. ( not bad in the summer)

 

[JeepFiend]

The Rubi X comes with a 1 1/2" lift, so I'm not low now. I also have over 99k miles left on my warranty and am not in a big hurry to void it. I'm askeered of the paint bubbles!!

LOL, I had the same fears. It took me a year of reading folks that couldn't get warranty work done, paint issues there were never taken care of, yada yada yada. I finally decided, well they call it "Just Empty Every Pocket" for a reason, might as well start sooner than later.

 

[BuyHold]

So my stock wheels will not handle 35" tires, is that what I reading between the lines here?

The subsequent responses to your question lacked some subtlety around whether stock 7.5s will "handle" 35s. Tire manufacturers specify rim width that their various tires are designed to fit on. It is of course a fine-print specification that gets a lot less visibility than rim diameter; rim width is generally not displayed on the tire itself.

Pretty much all 35x12.5 tires specify rims with width no less than 8 inches. You may find that some tire shops will refuse to mount tires on rims outside of specs (liability issue). Nevertheless, many people mount their tires on rims that have widths falling outside of manufacturer specs.

To be clear, I am not advocating that, just saying that this is what people mean when they say "a 7.5inch rim can handle a 35x12.5 tire". Basically, it goes on, holds air and therefore it "works" even if manufacturer says it won't.

It works.

 

[JeepFiend]

What it comes down to is, "60% of the time, it works every time."

 

[Discount Tire]

So I came home from work and took a tape measure to my wheels… narrowest point is 8”. I’ll consult with a tire dealer when time approaches, but I think I’m gonna be good to go. I’ll probably do a minimal spacer as well.

When you are ready, your local Discount Tire location can assist you and answer any questions you may have with fitment and options!

 

[lights]

The Rubi X comes with a 1 1/2" lift, so I'm not low now. I also have over 99k miles left on my warranty and am not in a big hurry to void it. I'm askeered of the paint bubbles!!

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I thought only the 4dr got the XR package with auto trans and thus the 1.5 inch lift. A 2dr would just be standard 33’s no lift like a regular rubicon

 

[Bobby Hank]

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but I thought only the 4dr got the XR package with auto trans and thus the 1.5 inch lift. A 2dr would just be standard 33’s no lift like a regular rubicon

Correction needed. 2 door gets the lift, gearing, auto trans. I bought one ordered by someone else, came with 33’s. And it’s beautiful.

 

[lights]

Correction needed. 2 door gets the lift, gearing, auto trans. I bought one ordered by someone else, came with 33’s. And it’s beautiful.

interesting. do you have a build sheet for your vehicle? i dont think the 4.56 shows up on the window sticker. but a 4dr build sheet vs a 2dr build sheet shows a difference. I could be blind

 

[Bobby Hank]

interesting. do you have a build sheet for your vehicle? i dont think the 4.56 shows up on the window sticker. but a 4dr build sheet vs a 2dr build sheet shows a difference. I could be blind

 

[Bobby Hank]

View attachment 810071

I don’t have the build sheet, no. But it is definitely lifted. Had a 2013 Rubicon 4D, new one is higher, more clearance.

 

[HardRock]

I put BFG KM2s on stock Rubicon JL rims, no issues. Gas mileage and power suffers slightly. Rides smoother.

 

[Old Jeeper]

‘24 2D Rubicon X 3.6, 700 miles on it.
I’m interested in moving to 35” tires when the originals wear out. But I’ve never done such a thing, and have no experience with all that has to be done.
Will I need new wheels (stock Rubicon wheels on her)? What other changes have to be made so that the speedometer stays correct? Will I need anything done to the gearing?
I’m a driver, not a mechanic. Talk to me like I’m 4.
My goal is to maximize the abilities of this beautiful beast so I take her anywhere within reason and still keep it a daily driver (I’m lucky have a VERY short commute).
Thanks fellow Jeepers, stay safe and dry!

You MAY need new wheels!!!

I went with Goodyear Druatrac 35s. I do recommend these tires, they truly are the best tires I have ever had on a Jeep in over 50 years. They are excellent all-around street, trail, off-road (Moab), wet weather etc tires. NOTE they are not hard-core Off Road if you want to play at the 7++ trail level, my choice there is BFG KM2s.

That said GY Recommends:

• Approved Rim Width (in.)8.5-11.0

Its WISE to follow the Mfg recommendation for tire width!


Sams Club and Costco sell them at a good discount.

 

[Bobby Hank]

No worries. It’s here if you want it

How’d you get that? That’s my VIN!

 

[lights]

How’d you get that? That’s my VIN!

Sorry. I deleted it. You provided your VIN in the bottom of the window sticker. You can pull the window sticker or build sheet with the vin from jeep. That build sheet doesn’t show 4.56 gearing. The 2013’s tire size may be the height difference you are seeing.

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