Installed beadlocks, now steering wandering - fix?

[joetimmons]

Does nobody on the JL Forum run -38mm / 3.5" backspace? Didn't realize it was such a purple squirrel config haha

Was hoping once I get the adjustable arms I can re dial the caster in as mentioned above...

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[azwjowner]

Does nobody on the JL Forum run -38mm / 3.5" backspace? Didn't realize it was such a purple squirrel config haha

Was hoping once I get the adjustable arms I can re dial the caster in as mentioned above...

Doesn't KMC offer a 17x8.5 0mm offset version of whichever you purchased? I'd exchange for those...

 

[Roky]

Crap ok well hoping I don’t have to send back the rims and rebuy a lower offset but so is life

You’ll be fine with those wheels, with your steering upgrades, just put a set of dyna trac ball joint’s on layaway, that’ll likely be be your next mod…..

 

[roaniecowpony]

Does nobody on the JL Forum run -38mm / 3.5" backspace? Didn't realize it was such a purple squirrel config haha

Was hoping once I get the adjustable arms I can re dial the caster in as mentioned above...

If your wheels are 17x9, -38mm is about 3" backspace.

 

[joetimmons]

If your wheels are 17x9, -38mm is about 3" backspace.

Good point forgot to mention yeah is 17x9, no wonder they are on sale at Northridge lol

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...29-machete-beadlock-satin-black-wheel-package

 

[joetimmons]

A return is an option but at a 30% restocking fee and obviously, the cost already paid to mount + the cost to have them re-mounted.

At this point, I think Dyantrac HD Ball Joints + my MC GC and Steering kit would put me back on a happy path?

 

[azwjowner]

A return is an option but at a 30% restocking fee and obviously, the cost already paid to mount + the cost to have them re-mounted.

At this point, I think Dyantrac HD Ball Joints + my MC GC and Steering kit would put me back on a happy path?

The ball joints won't help your steering right now while yours are still in decent shape. You have a short period of time before your stock ball joints wear so badly as to make the steering worse. You should try the steering kits first, if happy, then ball joints if you're going to keep the wheels long term.

 

[JeepinJason33]

I am running that same wheel and several others on the forum are as well without any premature wear issues. This is the offset size many of the lift manufactures suggest as well. Not sure why everyone is saying these are way too wide! What you might be feeling is that you are getting into the groves of the bigger trucks on the highway now that the tires are moved out a bit. Could also just be the heavier wheel or even an improper installation...

 

[azwjowner]

Old
Mopar beadlock capable - 17x8 , -3 ~4.4” bs
New
KMC - 17x9, -38 ~3.4” bs

Looks like my total difference is 1.38" out

Yes but the Mopar beadlocks were already pushed out from the stock +44mm offset. So it's 3.25" total.

 

[Floriduramax3.0]

I’m running Fuel 17x9 -38 bead locks with Patagonia 40’s. Dynatracs were a huge difference. I was at 17k miles when I changed to Dynatracs, RPM high steer drag link and tie rods. 5.5” MC springs Teraflex RT4 long arm kit, trussed axles Reid’s Racing knuckles and track bar relocation brackets and braces front and rear. Seems like you just keep throwing money at it! Wish I would have just went straight to tons lol. I love the looks with the -38 offset. Drives great with cruise set at 80 unless wind is above 10-15mph then I will slow down to 65-70

 

[joetimmons]

Yes but the Mopar beadlocks were already pushed out from the stock +44mm offset. So it's 3.25" total.

Finally went out to look at the stock rims , looks like we were both wrong they are +12mm 17x8

so 1.97 inches pushed out net

 

[azwjowner]

Finally went out to look at the stock rims , looks like we were both wrong they are +12mm 17x8

so 1.97 inches pushed out net

Sort of. Stock is still +44, but if you buy an XR with 35s, the stock wheels are +12mm. But that's already a change where Jeep has pushed the wheels out to fit 35s. +44mm is still the normal offset. The problem is the rest of the steering geometry is unchanged--same as a regular JL--so at +12mm you're already increasing the forces on the tie rods, etc. That's why I feel 12mm isn't a fair "zero" point for comparisons. But technically if you have an XR, yes.

In any event, you're down the rabbit hole now. Hopefully the steering upgrades solve your problem. If not, you keep throwing money at it with more upgrades until it rides nice ?

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

Does nobody on the JL Forum run -38mm / 3.5" backspace? Didn't realize it was such a purple squirrel config haha

Was hoping once I get the adjustable arms I can re dial the caster in as mentioned above...

Get 44 Inch tires... that way you will be able to justify -38mm offset / 3.5 BackSpace... LOL... no rubbing and proper Scrub radius!!... ... BTW... I run -38 / 3.5 BS 17x9 wheels with 40-inch tires.. MY plan is to measure the scrub radius with my current tires to determine how bad the scrub radius is with 17x9 -38mm / 3.5 BS with 40 inch tires... of course.... scrub radius is going to be worse with 35 inch tires and the same wheels... I will update this thread once I get it done.

 

[joetimmons]

So I am getting a PHd in backspacing now on the JL which is great - MC recommends "4.5 BS or less" which I think is what burned into my brain when pulling the trigger on the 3.5" BS -38 offset 17x9 KMCs. My natural curiosity is say I did go with the -12 (4.5 BS) or +0 (4.75 BS) KMCs would that 1.0-1.25 additional inch of BS really had made a difference in my wandering issue or long term durability to ball joints etc with everything else still stock?

MOPAR (5x127)
Stock JL 17X8 , +44 = 6.23 BS
XR 17X8, +12 = 5 BS

KMC Standard Backspacing

Riot (+Machete) Beadlock (5x127)
17x8.5 , 0mm 4.75 BS
17x9, -12mm 4.53 BS
17x9, -38mm 3.5 BS

Gernade Crawl (5x127)
17x8.5, 00mm 4.75 BS
17x9, -38mm 3.5 BS

 

[Headbarcode]

So I am getting a PHd in backspacing now on the JL which is great - MC recommends "4.5 BS or less" which I think is what burned into my brain when pulling the trigger on the 3.5" BS -38 offset 17x9 KMCs. My natural curiosity is say I did go with the -12 (4.5 BS) or +0 (4.75 BS) KMCs would that 1.0-1.25 additional inch of BS really had made a difference in my wandering issue or long term durability to ball joints etc with everything else still stock?

MOPAR (5x127)
Stock JL 17X8 , +44 = 6.23 BS
XR 17X8, +12 = 5 BS

KMC Standard Backspacing

Riot (+Machete) Beadlock (5x127)
17x8.5 , 0mm 4.75 BS
17x9, -12mm 4.53 BS
17x9, -38mm 3.5 BS

Gernade Crawl (5x127)
17x8.5, 00mm 4.75 BS
17x9, -38mm 3.5 BS

The wandering is the result of too low of a caster angle and/or tire pressures being too high.

Also, the 35's are exaggerating the heavier scrub radius. The taller the tire, the more it will offset the scrub radius. You might consider skipping 37's and looking at 38's or 39’s, although there are less tire options in those sizes. The 3.5" Metalcloak Gamechanger will likely net 4-4.5" of actual lift over a standard Rubicon.

For reference, here's my JLUR with chopped fenders back when it had the 3.5" Gamechanger and 38x13.5's wrapped around 17x9 KMC wheels with 4.53" backspace and -12mm offset...

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