Need some help picking out rims for 32\" tires

[mavr1k]

So I plan on purchasing the RoughCountry 2.5\" lift soon (undecided if I will buy the kit with the 1.25\" bodylift as well).

Then I plan to put some 32x11.5 tires under the Jeep...

I have 3 considerations for tires in that size at the moment:

BFG KO (AT):
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10108/s-10101/p-100000425769/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000425769/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000425769


BFG KM (MT):
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10108/s-10101/p-100000425790/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000425790/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000425790


ProComp (MTR):
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10108/s-10101/p-100000354001/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000354001/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000354001


I really think MTR\'s would be useful for my Jeep offroad, since the majority of the places I have gotten stuck so far where Mud/Slush/Water related (and clearance didnt help either), but I have heard MT/MTRs are horrible in snow and wet conditions.  

All I have ever owned are ATs, which perform as good as a tire can on snow (IMO).

For rims... I would really like the Cragar Soft 8 black steel rims.. (look great, and are cheap) - I also like some of the american racing black alloy rims (but they cost a lot more).

I understand that I need to learn about \"backspacing\" so that the tires dont rub... (anyone adventurous enough to explain backspacing to me?)  With the lift above in mind, and the tires in mind... what sort of rims should I get?

Thanks guys..im learning, but its a slow process ;-)

[GTJake]

use your stock rims. no need to buy new ones. i didnt.

I had 35\" BFG mud terrains on my rubicon and it was great in the snow.
Ive also had the BFG all terrains on a YJ that I had and they were also good in the snow but are AWFUL in the mud. ask Ryan_25. hes running a set of BFG all terrains. theyre great offroad, just not in any kind of mud.

try looking here
www.treadwright.com

Mark, (Wingman) is running a set of 33s on his TJ from here. (you should get 33s not 32s) theyre alot less expensive and work well. i got my 31\'s from there and Im very happy with them. (you saw me get right up that hill last weekend right?)

but if you insist on getting brand new name brand tires for some reason, try here. theyre prices are good and i ordered a set of TSL\'s from here and they were easy to deal with.
www.tirepackage.com

*again, i wouldnt waste money on rims or expensive tires if your still not sure what your plans are for your jeep yet

[mavr1k]

Thanks Jake.

Since this jeep is my DD, I don\'t want to go too big and sacrifice onroad performance and MPG (nor do I have a ton of cash to dump into it).

The axels are D30/D35, with 3.07 gears (I believe, I haven\'t actually crawled under and looked).  Its a 6 speed..  I\'ve read in many places that going to 32\" is pretty much the biggest I can go with that gearing and the axels.

\"33\'s will be a dog, and will lose your last gear\" seems to be the response I read on everything, shortly followed by \"quick way to kill your D35..\"

Would I need more then 2.5\" of suspension lift (+1.25 BL maybe?) for 33s? It seems with 33\'s I would also need additional upgrades, such as longer break lines (maybe), adjustable track bars, extended bump stops, etc.

How much truth is there to all of that?  I would like to get 33\'s - (The Mickey Thompson BAJAClaw radials look awesome!), and I am not too attached to buying brand new tires, just using the JCWhitney site as a reference.


.. and yes I did watch you climb up that :censor:ty hill with no problems at all on your 31\'s.. impressive :D

[smichaelR22]

keep looking on craigs list, i just got an awesome score of three 33\" MTR\'s in really good shape for 100$

[GTJake]

ok, wingman ran 33s with no lift. youll be fine

i had a set of baja claws on my rubi, they lasted only about 10k

[mavr1k]

Yeah Ill be watching craigslist for some deals...  but if I buy new rims (and I want to) - what should I get to fit a tire like that?

Any idea what gearing and transmission wingman has?

[Wingman]

I\'ve got a set of black steel 5 spoke similar to \"8s\"... $150.  They\'ll be too wide for 31s or 32s but perfect for 33s.

My TJ has 3.07s and the AX15 5-speed trans.  Since the 33\'s, my fuel consumtion hovers around 16-18 mpg.  I don\'t do much highway driving.  I also don\'t use 5th gear OD unless I have a tailwind and flat road at 65 mph or above.  The rest of the gearing is fine.

Optimally, an 8\" wide rim with 3.5-4\" backspacing is what you should be looking for unless you buy really wide 33s.

[MrMindless]

I don\'t think you\'ll kill you 35 with 33s unless you really beat on it and/or have locked it.  And if you\'ll kill it with 33s you\'ll kill it with 32s too - remember how close they really are in size.

also, tire size has nothing to do with brake lines.  That\'s all lift height and shock length/flexibility.

[GTJake]

plus if you blow a tire on the trail and something happens to your spare, there will be otheres running 33s...i dont think anyone has 32\" tires right now.

mindless is right about your 35 rear. lots of people run 35s on that axel

[Crusarius]

I used to run 35\'s on my 35c.

I broke an axle shaft once on 32\'s (my own fault) then once on 35\'s (metal fatigue)

as for the whole gearing thing, if you have the 6 spd I am thinking you have 3.73\'s. you will be fine with 33\'s probably be able to get away with 35\'s. as for losing your top gear I am probably not a good judge of that. I was running 35\'s with 4.0 5 spd manual and d35c rear with 3.07\'s. I still used 5th gear religiously. yes, I would have to downshift on certain hills. but I could hold my speed in fifth. However the more jeeps I drive, the more I notice that my 4.0 seems to have more balls than most of them on the road.

as for backspacing I run 35 X 12.5\'s on a 15x8 rim with 3.75\" backspacing. I really like the way it sits. the tires still rub on the arms a little but right now my steering is way out of wack. so I am thinking if I ever fix it they might not rub.

[Wingman]

If you are ordering tires or wheels or anything else from JC Whitney in the next few days, try promo code DEBBBX9 ($10 off $50 order or $50 off $200 order) or SEBABX9 (free shipping).  Expires 2/16/2009.  It\'ll knock a few bucks off...

[mavr1k]

While changing the oil today I tried to figure out what my gearing was..  saw all sorts of numbers on the front pumpkin, but nothing that clearly told me what my gearing was.

What should I be looking for?  I have requested my factory build sheep from Jeep... hopefully that comes soon, and will tell me what gearing I have.

If I buy 33\'s from treadwright... any recommendations? http://treadwright.com/SearchResults.aspx?catID=0&Strname=&CatName=All%20Categories&treadwidth=33&profile=15&diameter=12.5&loadrange=&isgreendiamond=-1

And who can I bribe to help me install a lift? :)

[luvmyxj]

the only way i know of to check your gearing is pull the diff cover and its sometimes engraved right on the ring,i may be wrong though.i\'m always down to help install your lift.

[Crusarius]

if you have the factory tags on the diffs it is stamped on it.

however it is in code.

if you have 3.07\'s you will see a 3 some other randon characters then an 07 somewhere behind that.

if you post what is on the tag I am sure we can decipher it for you. the other option is the tire spin test.

jack up the jeep and turn your driveshaft. make sure the tires are both spinning the same direction and count how many turns of the driveshaft it takes for 1 revolution of the tires. this may be slightly skued if you have tires other than stock but you can get a good idea what it is.

[Wingman]

I\'m running the D/Mud-S with Green Diamond compound.  My last set was the D/Mud with no spacer and no Green Diamond.  I think I got about 30K out of them.  I\'d have preferred the tire without the spacer this time but that was all they were offering.

The Green Diamond (or Ultra-Grip) is a worthwhile investment if you\'ll be running them in the winter.  It gives you that little extra advantage on the slick stuff...