Tonight on JL Wrangler Forums... my Jeep eats a stick, the JL breaks the ice and I take a bath...

[tCub]

Went wheeling today at my favorite off road park in Ohio - Southington Off Road Park! Actually, the only one I’m aware of nearby...

Summer-time wheeling is fun, but wow Winter wheeling is a whole other game. This was my first time wheeling in the cold. Lots of ice mixed in with the mud made things very slippery as you can imagine. Much more challenging in some of the tighter tree-lined sections.

On one of the shorter, muddier trails, a stick jumped out in front of my Jeep and wedged itself between my axle and my tie rod! Can you believe it?! Sadly, the stick didn’t survive. The Jeep is fine. Be careful out there, guys!

Also, I decided to take a bypass on one of the other trails that’s always very muddy/watery and it turns out I was the first person on it today, so the whole thing was a solid sheet of ice. Do you know how satisfying it is to drive over and crack an enormous sheet of ice? It’s true bliss. I did consider, however, that ice sank the Titanic, so I kept it slow the whole way through which allowed me to savor the satisfying crunch.

Later in the day, I decided to take a mud bath! What a difference it makes having mud terrain tires too! In and out with ease!

Also, super happy with how these 33x12 tires (305/65/R17) fit under my Sport S (w/ Rubicon take off shocks and springs). Look how PERFECT! I can also tell they fit perfectly, because all four of my fenders are still attached.

Special thanks to my partner for taking the photos/videos even after slipping and felling AND ripping his jeans while climbing into the Jeep.

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[sdynak]

Cool Pics.. looks like a good time. Rear tires in that last pic get pretty close to the fender showing the aggressiveness of the terrain.

 

[am1978]

Garland and all!

 

[mwilk012]

Yea I wouldn't be surprised if that rear tire was actually rubbing in that picture there. If not, good job! That trail looks like a lot of fun, breaking the ice and all.

 

[tCub]

Yeah the tire looks VERY close in the rear.. first time wheeling on these tires as I got them over Thanksgiving holiday. I should probably find a tall curb or small hill and do a little flexing to make sure there’s no rubbing! I *believe* these are safe though. 33s on a Sport with rubi suspension (and .75” spacer in the front)? Sway bar links connected too..

 

[mwilk012]

Have you measured the tires? Remember the suspension isn't doing anything for you once its smashed down, because you're at the bumpstops which haven't changed positions from stock sport height. You're on sport fenders as well, but I'm not sure what the clearance difference is between the two, just that they are a bit lower.

 

[tCub]

Have you measured the tires? Remember the suspension isn't doing anything for you once its smashed down, because you're at the bumpstops which haven't changed positions from stock sport height. You're on sport fenders as well, but I'm not sure what the clearance difference is between the two, just that they are a bit lower.

Glad you mentioned the bump stops! I didn’t even think about that! I have not measured anything but the tires are 305/65R17 so they’ll be considered 33s and are approximately one inch larger than the stock tires. I was thinking the rubi springs and shocks would help clear them but you’re absolutely right - under flex, the bump stops may make a difference more there.

As I mentioned, I didn’t lose any fenders so I think it’s okay for now, but I’ll definitely be looking closer at this soon. Also, if I ever want 35s, I’d say I’m pretty much maxing things with 33s right now so.

 

[mwilk012]

Oh yea they look like a great fit for sure. What tires are they anyway? I can't tell based on tread pattern of these ones.

 

[tCub]

This may cause some to laugh at me - but they’re ProComp Xtreme MT2s. Got them from 4 Wheel Parts, of course.

For one, the 4WP near me is highly rated and while I wouldn’t trust them for everything on my Jeep, they did fine mounting these.

Second, these compared to my previous 32s (31.5”) BFG AT K/O2... these things are light years better off road and are actually quite nice on road too. I’m satisfied so far.

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