Bigger Tires on OEM Wheels - My Setup so far

[IronScott]

@JL18 - quick question. Have you (or can you) measured the actual height with them on the Jeep? I know my current tires dropped about an inch in height with weight plus letting some air out. I’ve considered getting some taller tires on my stock Sahara wheels (same as yours) and your pictures really help a lot. They look a lot better than I thought they would.

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[julischneck]

Here's my build so far. I'm new to Wranglers and have no idea what rims to put on. I've put 35 x 12.5 tires on my stock 18" rims with a 2 1/2" suspension lift for now. I like the look of Fuel's Assualt rims but I know nothing about offset or backspace. Definitely want my tires tucked in but not rubbing. Any help would be greatly appreciated....Oh, if you're wondering about the Rubicon hood. I could only find one Nacho Rubicon in the whole country but the dealer thought he was sitting on gold so I went with the Sahara and added the hood after a few months. Out of respect for the true Rubicons out there I went with a different decal. Hope there's no hard feelings.

 

[JL18]

@JL18 - quick question. Have you (or can you) measured the actual height with them on the Jeep? I know my current tires dropped about an inch in height with weight plus letting some air out. I’ve considered getting some taller tires on my stock Sahara wheels (same as yours) and your pictures really help a lot. They look a lot better than I thought they would.

No problem. I’ll do it tomorrow. If I don’t post it tomorrow, remind me again.

 

[JL18]

Here's my build so far. I'm new to Wranglers and have no idea what rims to put on. I've put 35 x 12.5 tires on my stock 18" rims with a 2 1/2" suspension lift for now. I like the look of Fuel's Assualt rims but I know nothing about offset or backspace. Definitely want my tires tucked in but not rubbing. Any help would be greatly appreciated....Oh, if you're wondering about the Rubicon hood. I could only find one Nacho Rubicon in the whole country but the dealer thought he was sitting on gold so I went with the Sahara and added the hood after a few months. Out of respect for the true Rubicons out there I went with a different decal. Hope there's no hard feelings.

Looks really nice! The Nitto specs for the Ridge Grappler call for a minimum of an 8.5” wheel on their 35x12.5. I know it’s done, but figured there must be a reason, that’s how I ended up with my 295/70/r18 (34.2x11.4), they called for a 7.5” min wheel width. That’s super if you aren’t getting any rubbing when the wheel is turned to one extreme or the other. 4 wheel parts told me mine would rub, so I had them install the spacers I’d ordered. Google around and read about offset and backspacing. Your best bet is to find someone that already has the Assults and see if you like the look. My goal was to try to have my tires just barely stick out past flush with the fenders, not too far.

 

[Dkretden]

I am actually surprised that folks mount 35s on 7.5-inch rims. It is out of spec everywhere I read or ask. I know that folks do it though and seeming have no issues —- so, more power to you.

Here's my build so far. I'm new to Wranglers and have no idea what rims to put on. I've put 35 x 12.5 tires on my stock 18" rims with a 2 1/2" suspension lift for now. I like the look of Fuel's Assualt rims but I know nothing about offset or backspace. Definitely want my tires tucked in but not rubbing. Any help would be greatly appreciated....Oh, if you're wondering about the Rubicon hood. I could only find one Nacho Rubicon in the whole country but the dealer thought he was sitting on gold so I went with the Sahara and added the hood after a few months. Out of respect for the true Rubicons out there I went with a different decal. Hope there's no hard feelings.

 

[JL18]

@JL18 - quick question. Have you (or can you) measured the actual height with them on the Jeep? I know my current tires dropped about an inch in height with weight plus letting some air out. I’ve considered getting some taller tires on my stock Sahara wheels (same as yours) and your pictures really help a lot. They look a lot better than I thought they would.

I get 33.5” @ 33 psi with the weight of the Jeep on the tires.

 

[IronScott]

I get 33.5” @ 33 psi with the weight of the Jeep on the tires.

You rock. Thank you!

 

[julischneck]

I am actually surprised that folks mount 35s on 7.5-inch rims. It is out of spec everywhere I read or ask. I know that folks do it though and seeming have no issues —- so, more power to you.

My factory rims are 8.5-inch and they do rub at full lock. Not happy with it but that's what I got until I find other rims.

 

[Dkretden]

My factory rims are 8.5-inch and they do rub at full lock. Not happy with it but that's what I got until I find other rims.

Which rims do you have? I though all of the factory rims for the JL were 7.5-inch.

 

[julischneck]

Which rims do you have? I though all of the factory rims for the JL were 7.5-inch.

My husband said he measured them before he put the tires on but I was just googling it and I understand why you're asking. I think your right there probably 7.5. My window sticker doesn't have the width but the factory tire size was 255/70R18. Not sure how he got them on but he did.

 

[Dkretden]

My husband said he measured them before he put the tires on but I was just googling it and I understand why you're asking. I think your right there probably 7.5. My window sticker doesn't have the width but the factory tire size was 255/70R18. Not sure how he got them on but he did.

I don’t know much about this but I am told that one potential reason why you are rubbing may be the extra sidewall “bulge” that the 35” tire has by being put on 7.5-inch rims. I understand that many shops won’t mount a 35-inch tire on a 7.5-inch rim. That said, some people here do mount 35s on 7.5s and report no problems but that is normally on a Rubicon, I think. With 18-inch rims, you are in a Sahara?

 

[JL18]

My husband said he measured them before he put the tires on but I was just googling it and I understand why you're asking. I think your right there probably 7.5. My window sticker doesn't have the width but the factory tire size was 255/70R18. Not sure how he got them on but he did.[/QUOTE

I don’t know much about this but I am told that one potential reason why you are rubbing may be the extra sidewall “bulge” that the 35” tire has by being put on 7.5-inch rims. I understand that many shops won’t mount a 35-inch tire on a 7.5-inch rim. That said, some people here do mount 35s on 7.5s and report no problems but that is normally on a Rubicon, I think. With 18-inch rims, you are in a Sahara?

They are 18x7.5, same as mine. I would say it’s a backspacing issues, from what I read while deciding what to do, wheel is too far inside wheel well. I assume that is why they needed to add 1-1/4” wheel spacers to mine so they wouldn’t rub at full lock? My tires are also slightly smaller 295/70/r18 (34.2x11.4)

 

[JL18]

Just noticed by 295/70/r18 Grapplers have this on the side of the tire.

 

[julischneck]

I don’t know much about this but I am told that one potential reason why you are rubbing may be the extra sidewall “bulge” that the 35” tire has by being put on 7.5-inch rims. I understand that many shops won’t mount a 35-inch tire on a 7.5-inch rim. That said, some people here do mount 35s on 7.5s and report no problems but that is normally on a Rubicon, I think. With 18-inch rims, you are in a Sahara?

Yes, Sahara and I believe you are correct on the reason for the rubbing. I don't plan to keep the factory rims and hoping a different offest or backspacing on new rims may eliminate the rubbing.

 

[bull1055]

I agonized over how best to make my Sahara Unlimited JL a little tougher looking without getting too crazy. I was going to go with aftermarket wheels, but decided not to because I didn’t like the offset choices and didn't want to have the wheels sticking outside of the factory fenders too far. I wanted them to just barely stick out. I looked at a lot of threads and did a ton of looking around before I did this. I think this will answer a lot of the same questions I had.

- I stuck with my original factory wheels.
- Went with Nitto Ridge Grapplers 295/70/R18. This is a 34.2” x 11.6” tire. As far as I know, this is the largest I could fit on my factory 7.5” wide wheels. Per Nitto recommended wheel widths.
- Added 1.25” aluminum, hub centric, wheel spacers, so the tires wouldn’t rub. Got them from Wheel Adapters USA.
- Went with a Daystar 2” spacer lift. I loved that this kit came with front lower control arms to keep the caster within spec. After install my caster is 5.5 degrees. I also wanted to maintain close to the factory gap between the fender and tire.
- Waiting on my spare tire relocation kit....

Very happy with the result, so far. The ride is still great, maybe slightly more harsh over pot holes and large bumps due to the E load rating of the tires. Road noise slightly higher than the factory tires, but still quiet. Definitely not annoying. Handling is still great. Very happy so far. Check out the pics, before and after. Hope this helps someone with their decision.

Looks awesome. Do you know if the 295/70/R18 would fit without the lift?

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