Yet Another Tire Question

Hello Everyone!

Black 95 YJ 2.5l, primary form of transportation, stock aluminum wheels, weak street tires. It spends alot of time on the highway, but I live in the boonies so I'd like to have something to improve it's capability during inclimate weather in addition to making it look a little better.

Here's what I'm planning: 1.5" lift via new shackles, black American Racing wheels, 31" BFG AT/KO's. What I'm unclear on is the best wheel and tire widths to get. I don't want to sacrifice too much handling because unfortunately it has to spend alot of time on the pavement. I'd appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

Reply to
GSO Medic
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(Top posting on purpose :P )

You can't go wrong with the BFG AT's. I have them and love them. They wear like iron if your alignment is right and you rotate them every other oil change! The 31" variety usually comes in an 10.5" width, but I've heard you can find them in other widths (some of our Canadian friends could probably tell you, eh?) For the 31X10.5, you'll want to go with an 8" rim. I'm not sure about the backspacing- I think it's

4.5" but I'm sure someone here will know for sure.

I run 31X10.5's on the stock "Canyon" rims and I didn't even have to adjust my steering stops! ('03 TJ Sport I6)

GSO Medic wrote:

Reply to
john_r357

I agree, the BFG All Terrain is a great tire that is very hard to beat for most offroading needs.

Jerry

john snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com wrote:

Reply to
Jerry Bransford

You have stock springs? What kind of shapre are they in? You figure you'll have enough room for 31's? I have a 2" lift and a 1.25" shackle lift and it's enough. Without the 2" lift I dont think it would happen. Also,the shackles will flatten your springs a little bit. I only got an inch lift, not 1.25. So dont count on getting 1.5" by the shackles, it'll probably be a little over an inch.

I went with the exact tires you're looking at, 10.50 wide. I don't do much offroading but I wanted awesome tires for snow...they rock. They aren't real loud either. 12.50 would be I imagine.

Reply to
Jasonp
31x10.50R15 tires would handle fine on your stock 15x7 aluminum rims. You will, however, be left with a slightly larger turning radius because the wider tires will contact the front leaf springs when the steering is hard over:

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Adjusting your steering stops to prevent contact is easy:

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A 15x8 rim would give marginally better handling by decreasing side-roll. New rims would give you the option of less back spacing to maintain your turning radius. Opting for steel rims would increase unsprung weight and tax your 2.5L a bit more.

Of course, taller tires mean lower RPMs, so, unless you regear your differentials ($$$), you'll have more sluggish starts and you may loose power and/or fuel efficiency in overdrive, but it probably won't be intolerable. Additional weight and rolling resistance of larger tires adds to the effect.

You may also want to recalibrate your speedometer:

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Maybe a 30x9.50 would better suit your needs and possibly let you avoid the shackle lift.

Steve

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GSO Medic wrote:

Reply to
Steve

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I do have stock springs. My jeep appears to have spent most of it's life on the pavement and therefore has a completely vanilla suspension. Is replacing the shackles only going to decrease the reliability of the jeep? I don't want to drop alot of $$$, but I want to screw up my YJ even less.

Thanks!

Reply to
GSO Medic

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