Tire size for stock setup?

I know this has been discussed at length, but after searching and reading a bunch of posts I couldn't find a straight answer... when I got my '69 it was equipped with big ol' 35" BFG tires, and the shackles were extended 4". Fine for off road, except for some rubbing in the bouncy stuff. I want to drive more on the pavement, like to work a couple times a week, and want to make it more stable (esp at 65 mph!). So, I'd like to return this monkey to stock height, and put on lower tires. I found a local deal on 31x10.5 BFG AT tires, which I'm finding it hard to pass up -- but does anyone know if I can use these without lifting the old CJ5 back up? Any other thoughts? Should I pass on the tire deal and go for smaller? Sounds like original tires (E70-15) would be about 195/70-15, but those are tiny and don't offer many options.

 

usually most of the time...yes they'll work

 

I'm running BFG MT 30x9.5 on my stock(ish) '57. I'm using the Rancho 0~1" lift springs currently. Oh, and a 4" backspaced rim. No rubbing that I've found, and I've had it pretty crossed up offroad. (Not caught air yet tho'...)

 

Not sure of your gearing but going 35 to 31" tire will raise your RPM's. Do you have an overdrive?

 

I like you got my JEEP with big tires and a 3" spring lift. It drove like crap on the street so I put 1" rancho springs with there shocks. Got rid of the 10" wide wheels with 33" tires and bought a set of Stockten steel wheels and 31x10.50 tires. What a difference, like night and day. It handles real well on the street and I think it does just as well offroad as before. I have 4.88 gears so I also added an overdrive from Herm. I run it a lot a 65MPH on the road and average about 17MPG. I am real happy with the results and would recommend them to anyone that uses there JEEP as a DD. Mike

 

Thanks for the input, think I'll go for these tires and start tearing up the highways! And thanks for the hint about the Jeep show, I'll add it to my calendar.
Dave

Sorry, was at work and couldn't write much -- nope, no overdrive, but my recollection from all my old junkers is that larger than stock tires will let the engine run at lower rpms while maintaining the same mph. Maybe with the money I save on these tires I can get some decent suspension parts to keep this little geezer from wandering in front of all the semi's I have to share the road with.

 

I was in the same quandry as you. I am completely stock and run the K-H 15 x 5.5 (IIRC) steel wheel and BFG KO AT (LT235-75R15). Gives me a good OE look and drives great on the road and off. If you are interested you can search my post on "spare tire carriers" and you will see that combo. Please note the spare (7.00x15LT) is also another option, however, it is a bias tire & is not so good at speeds over 45 MPH. I tried to save a few bucks and get really OEM, but was dissapointed in the driveability.

 

I run 31x10.5 on my '66 with stock suspension with no problems. I went to the York show a couple of years ago and had a great time. Found a Whitco spare tire carrier for $5. Had been looking for one for over a year.