Advice for a newcomer... 33s on a stock ‘20 JL?

[kkaz28]

Hi everyone... New to all this stuff and trying to decipher a lot of information which I’ve maybe over-complicated in my own mind.

I have a stock JL and want to get new rims with some offset & chunky snow-rated tires for the Buffalo NY winters.

So I’ve narrowed it down, and seems like Mickey Thompson classic III wheels (17x9 with -12 offset & 4.5in of backspace), along with 33’’ BFG Ko2s, should fit the stock Jeep without any lift mods.

Would anyone be able to shed some light on this or verify I wont run into any issues with rubbing etc.?

Thanks!

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[aldo98229]

Welcome to the forum!

You can mount most 33-inch tires —275 or 285– on your stock wheels without rubbing. A 9-inch wide wheel is overkill for 33-inch tires IMO.

OE wheels are 7.5-inch wide with a 6.2-inch backspacing. If you wanted a little more backspacing, 8.0-8.5 wide and 5.2-inch would be plenty for a 33-inch tire. Otherwise, your Jeep risks looking all squatted.

Most AEV and Quadratec wheels are 8.5-inch wide with 5.2” backspacing.

Good luck!

 

[aldo98229]

Here’s my requisite photo of my JL with 33.2-inch KO2s (275/70R18) on OE wheels.

 

[aldo98229]

You can also get a set of Rubicon takeoff wheels and tires for $1,500 and be done.

Rubicons come with 285/70R17 (32.7 x 11.2 inches) KO2s.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jl-sport-2-door-on-rubi-wheels-pics-please.31990/

 

[kkaz28]

Hey Aldo

Thanks for all your help man. So it sounds like with the 33” KO2s I may be better off with a 8.5” wheel.

When you saying “looking all squatted”, is that because the 9” wide rim w/4.5in backspacing, along with the wider tire, will doubly push out the wheels to an even further degree, and without the lift just leaves the Jeep looking like its been smushed?

 

[aldo98229]

Hey Aldo

Thanks for all your help man. So it sounds like with the 33” KO2s I may be better off with a 8.5” wheel.

When you saying “looking all squatted”, is that because the 9” wide rim w/4.5in backspacing, along with the wider tire, will doubly push out the wheels to an even further degree, and without the lift just leaves the Jeep looking like its been smushed?

Yes. Some like it, some don't.

Personally, I don't; I think it looks ghetto...

 

[kkaz28]

I gotcha now, that makes sense and isn’t what I’m looking for.

Might consider the 33x12.50x17s on an 8.5in quadratec wheel with 5.2in backspace.That should give me the offset I’m looking for, but only concern would be rubbing

To be clear, I’m looking at actual 33 by 12.50s so the width will be 12.5inches as opposed to 11.2 on the 285s. I don’t know if that makes any difference...

If you have any other advice I’m all ears, and thanks again for the help

 

[aldo98229]

I gotcha now, that makes sense and isn’t what I’m looking for.

Might consider the 33x12.50x17s on an 8.5in quadratec wheel with 5.2in backspace.That should give me the offset I’m looking for, but only concern would be rubbing

To be clear, I’m looking at actual 33 by 12.50s so the width will be 12.5inches as opposed to 11.2 on the 285s. I don’t know if that makes any difference...

If you have any other advice I’m all ears, and thanks again for the help

Yes, 12.5 makes a difference. That’s closer to a tire 315 wide.

I am pretty sure it should clear with 5.2 backspacing. I had 35x12.5 tires on wheels with 5.2 bs on my JK and it cleared.

If you are looking at Quadratec wheels, feel free to give them a call. They are super friendly. They should know if you are going to rub or not.

And don’t forget to ask for your member discount!

 

[Stuckinthesand]

I gotcha now, that makes sense and isn’t what I’m looking for.

Might consider the 33x12.50x17s on an 8.5in quadratec wheel with 5.2in backspace.That should give me the offset I’m looking for, but only concern would be rubbing

To be clear, I’m looking at actual 33 by 12.50s so the width will be 12.5inches as opposed to 11.2 on the 285s. I don’t know if that makes any difference...

If you have any other advice I’m all ears, and thanks again for the help

In order for the tire not to rub with a 12.5 tire you will need at least a +12 offset. Anything more than that you will rub. The stock rims are a +44. The tires will still sit inside the fenders. Once you get to 0 an the negative offsets is when you get the tires sticking out. Depending on what you want to do most lift kits give you a recommended backspacing for the lift you are putting on. Reason they do this is that this gives you the greatest clearance when wheeling.

 

[Stuckinthesand]

Here’s a 35x12.5x17 with a -18 offset which is right around 4.5 backspace.

 

[kkaz28]

I gotcha. I like your setup and that's the sort of wheel poke i'm goin for.

What might work better for me is actual 285/75/17s, that way the tires won't be as wide and should fit fine on a pair of 8.5in wheels. That's what a lot of people appear to run on many of the 8.5 quadratec wheels and apparently haven't had problems.

Talked to quadratec guys too, they were super helpful and said you might have issues with the 12.50s, not when cruising on the highway but on tighter turns and offroading. There's no need for me to get tires that wide anyway, and a bit narrower tire will be better for snow.

Thanks again for both of your input, has helped a ton.

 

[blnewt]

I gotcha. I like your setup and that's the sort of wheel poke i'm goin for.

What might work better for me is actual 285/75/17s, that way the tires won't be as wide and should fit fine on a pair of 8.5in wheels. That's what a lot of people appear to run on many of the 8.5 quadratec wheels and apparently haven't had problems.

Talked to quadratec guys too, they were super helpful and said you might have issues with the 12.50s, not when cruising on the highway but on tighter turns and offroading. There's no need for me to get tires that wide anyway, and a bit narrower tire will be better for snow.

Thanks again for both of your input, has helped a ton.

I'd take a look at Rubicon take-off suspension to go along w/ your wheel/tire set. Here's my thread for the install on those and lots of before & after pics on my 2dr JL Sport S. I have since added 3/4" front spring spacers to level things out after adding 180lbs worth of bumper & winch up front.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/rubicon-suspension-on-2-door-sport.40700/

 

[kkaz28]

Quick update: was able to go with quadratec 41 wheels (+10 offset, 5.2in backspace) and 285/70/R17 BFG Ko2s. I love the way it turned out, about 1.5” of poke outside the fenders, just what I was looking for.

Thanks again to everyone for your help and advice.

 

[VooDoo1]

Quick update: was able to go with quadratec 41 wheels (+10 offset, 5.2in backspace) and 285/70/R17 BFG Ko2s. I love the way it turned out, about 1.5” of poke outside the fenders, just what I was looking for.

Thanks again to everyone for your help and advice.

Looks great!

Here is mine with same tire size, wheels are 17 x 9 w/ +1 offset

 

[blnewt]

Quick update: was able to go with quadratec 41 wheels (+10 offset, 5.2in backspace) and 285/70/R17 BFG Ko2s. I love the way it turned out, about 1.5” of poke outside the fenders, just what I was looking for.
Thanks again to everyone for your help and advice.

Great wheel choice in fit and color, look perfect on your Jeep!

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