Wheel Well Clearance/ GAP

[Willys_Wonka]

What's a preferred wheel well clearance for 34"-35" tires? It's subjective, but I'm looking for a decent stance w/out a "squatty" look on 34" tires (285/75/17). From what I gather, about 6.5" front/rear is a good wheel well clearance. I'll reference the driver side since it's about .5" higher than the passenger side per OEM specs. I'm including the 35" tire folks since its close in height to the 34".

**Variables on making this decision include expected hitch load (bike rack and two bikes) and use of vehicle, such as mostly a daily driver vs off road. Also, I feel an acceptable amount of rake is .5".

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[Philly_]

I felt my stock Rubicon suspension was too squatted with 315/70/17 KO2’s. Personally, love the look with my 2.5” Metalcloak Game Changer. Some feel like it’s too much gap, but I see it as more room for up travel. I don’t like the tires to fill the wheel wells too much at ride height.

I have about 9.5” in both the front and rear wheel wells from the tire to the inner edge of the fender flares.

If/when I go to 37’s after these wear out (or I get bored), I will likely swap springs to the 3.5” to keep the same gap. All the other components are the same so it should be pretty easy.

 

[DOOKEY]

Fixed.

 

[Roky]

What's a preferred wheel well clearance for 34"-35" tires? It's subjective, but I'm looking for a decent stance w/out a "squatty" look on 34" tires (285/75/17). From what I gather, about 6.5" front/rear is a good wheel well clearance. I'll reference the driver side since it's about .5" higher than the passenger side per OEM specs. I'm including the 35" tire folks since its close in height to the 34".

**Variables on making this decision include expected hitch load (bike rack and two bikes) and use of vehicle, such as mostly a daily driver vs off road. Also, I feel an acceptable amount of rake is .5".

Different lift height and tire size than @Philly_ but same gap, around 9” ish…. But I built my rig for maximum articulation so I need every inch as demonstrated in my avatar….lol…..to quote the wife, “ it looks more off-roady” …….?

 

[Some Random Guy]

I felt my stock Rubicon suspension was too squatted with 315/70/17 KO2’s. Personally, love the look with my 2.5” Metalcloak Game Changer. Some feel like it’s too much gap, but I see it as more room for up travel. I don’t like the tires to fill the wheel wells too much at ride height.

I have about 9.5” in both the front and rear wheel wells from the tire to the inner edge of the fender flares.

If/when I go to 37’s after these wear out (or I get bored), I will likely swap springs to the 3.5” to keep the same gap. All the other components are the same so it should be pretty easy.

How is your rear driveshaft? I’m on the MC 2.5’s and it is quite the angle off the transfer case. I’m going to get an estimate from a local driveshaft shop to see what they recommend.
I love gap, mine is on 285/70’s with the same springs:

I’m afraid to go higher, even when the 39’s go on. That T/C angle gets to be rough and I don’t have a FAD so I need to keep my caster down.

 

[Willys_Wonka]

Different lift height and tire size than @Philly_ but same gap, around 9” ish…. But I built my rig for maximum articulation so I need every inch as demonstrated in my avatar….lol…..to quote the wife, “ it looks more off-roady” …….?

Bigger the tires the more gap is needed, correct? I plan to only go to 34", so I'm thinking 6.5' or so is about right for that size.

 

[Reinen]

Personally, love the look with my 2.5” Metalcloak Game Changer. Some feel like it’s too much gap, but I see it as more room for up travel. I don’t like the tires to fill the wheel wells too much at ride height.

I have about 9.5” in both the front and rear wheel wells from the tire to the inner edge of the fender flares.

I agree with you on that. I'm sure there's some who can't get past the "biggest tires possible" thing, but to me that looks like a Jeep ready to take some big bumps and heavy flexes. As long as you're not below 33's a larger gap just looks ready and capable to me.

Fixed.

Rub? We don't care about no stinkin' rub! ?
We're here to smooth out fresh pavement

 

[DOOKEY]

I agree with you on that. I'm sure there's some who can't get past the "biggest tires possible" thing, but to me that looks like a Jeep ready to take some big bumps and heavy flexes. As long as you're not below 33's a larger gap just looks ready and capable to me.


Rub? We don't care about no stinkin' rub! ?
We're here to smooth out fresh pavement

I still believe in the NO WHEEL WELL + NO TIRE + ALL GAP GROUP! Guess I need to start a new FB page.

 

[Philly_]

Fixed.

Someday!!! ?

 

[Philly_]

How is your rear driveshaft? I’m on the MC 2.5’s and it is quite the angle off the transfer case. I’m going to get an estimate from a local driveshaft shop to see what they recommend.
I love gap, mine is on 285/70’s with the same springs:

I’m afraid to go higher, even when the 39’s go on. That T/C angle gets to be rough and I don’t have a FAD so I need to keep my caster down.

Funny you asked because I was just taking a look at it on Wednesday and was wondering how long it would last. Nothing obvious, but it might be bending the coupling at the transfer case a tad at full flex…. I probably won’t upgrade until this one goes out.

 

[Willys_Wonka]

I still believe in the NO WHEEL WELL + NO TIRE + ALL GAP GROUP! Guess I need to start a new FB page.

Someone skipped leg day!

 

[Philly_]

Bigger the tires the more gap is needed, correct? I plan to only go to 34", so I'm thinking 6.5' or so is about right for that size.

Full disclosure, my tires measure just below 34” at street pressure. I have my Speedo calibrated to 33.86” and it’s a hair short, but the next jump up was too tall and less accurate.

 

[Headbarcode]

There's no universal gap number that covers all Jeeps. It starts with maintaining clearance for on road driving, than expands to accommodate how much axle articulation you want/need to retain.

The bigger the tires, and the higher you want to lift 1 wheel before a 2nd wheel lifts off the ground, the more the gap needs to be increased.

 

[Roky]

Bigger the tires the more gap is needed, correct? I plan to only go to 34", so I'm thinking 6.5' or so is about right for that size.

For articulation yes, but for everyday use you can have 6.5” over a 37 as well as a 34…. You just have to control it with bump stop…..

 

[DOOKEY]

Someone skipped leg day!

Sounds like a MEME!

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