Rubbing/hitting rear fender with 35s

[salmanj]

So I have 35” tires on my 2 door Sahara and I experience rubbing or at times even banging on the rear fenders when off-roading at moderate speed. I even once broke a couple of clips as you can see from the attached photos. I’m planning on getting a 2.5” teraflex lift kit with falcon SP2 2.1 shocks. Would that be good enough to stop the issue? If not are there any rear fenders with an OEM look that give more clearance?

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[Kracka]

Stock Rubicon fenders.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

A 2 1/2 lift will absolutely clear 35s. Beware though, once you go with that lift you will want 37s.

Here is mine with a TeraFlex ST2 and 37s:

 

[ParadigmDawg]

A 2 1/2 lift will absolutely clear 35s. Beware though, once you go with that lift you will want 37s.

Here is mine with a TeraFlex ST2 and 37s:

Ha, I went from 33s to 35s to 37s to 40s and I haven't owned my Jeep a year yet.

 

[AVGeek99]

So I have 35” tires on my 2 door Sahara and I experience rubbing or at times even banging on the rear fenders when off-roading at moderate speed. I even once broke a couple of clips as you can see from the attached photos. I’m planning on getting a 2.5” teraflex lift kit with falcon SP2 2.1 shocks. Would that be good enough to stop the issue? If not are there any rear fenders with an OEM look that give more clearance?

You're rubbing because a Sahara at stock height was designed to accomodate up to 32s or 33s. The 2.5" lift will solve your problem.

 

[salmanj]

Stock Rubicon fenders.

How much of a difference do they make on the rear? I read some other forums that said the rear fender of the Sahara is the same as the Rubicon ones.

 

[Kracka]

How much of a difference do they make on the rear? I read some other forums that said the rear fender of the Sahara is the same as the Rubicon ones.

2" or so...

You're still going to need a lift, or at least spacers, to clear 35s at full articulation. I'm a huge fan of the Bilstein B8 5100 lift, which was designed around 35s along with extra travel.

 

[salmanj]

A 2 1/2 lift will absolutely clear 35s. Beware though, once you go with that lift you will want 37s.

Here is mine with a TeraFlex ST2 and 37s:

I’ve told myself that I’ll stick to the 35s for a while let’s just hope that I can stick with the plan.

Glad to hear that they’ll clear the 35s.

 

[salmanj]

2" or so...

You're still going to need a lift, or at least spacers, to clear 35s at full articulation. I'm a huge fan of the Bilstein B8 5100 lift, which was designed around 35s along with extra travel.

definitely plan on lifting either way, I was just worried that the 2.5” lift wouldn’t be enough. I was planning on getting rubicon front fenders with the high line light bracket, so I guess since the rear ones make a difference I’ll add that to the list. The more clearance the better. Thank you!

 

[Kracka]

definitely plan on lifting either way, I was just worried that the 2.5” lift wouldn’t be enough. I was planning on getting rubicon front fenders with the high line light bracket, so I guess since the rear ones make a difference I’ll add that to the list. The more clearance the better. Thank you!

A 2.5" suspension lift (springs & shocks) + Rubicon fenders should fit up to 37s without issue.

Most lifts are rated vs. the Rubicon suspension so add ~2" on a Sport or Sahara. This is why the Mopar 2" lift is more like 3.5" for a lot of guys.

 

[salmanj]

Just an update I went ahead and got the 3.3 sp2 shocks and a 2.5” terflex lift kit. I haven’t tested it off road yet but I do notice that my issue has been solved. They do feel a little stiff so do you guys recommend I turn the shaft to the soft/cold mode even though the climate is mostly hot here the lowest it will get is 10°C or do I just have to break them in. The stiffness isn’t that bad though so I don’t mind it that much but it could be that much better. Thanks everyone for the help.

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