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Downsize or Push them out?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by tigran, Jul 26, 2005.

  1. Jul 26, 2005
    tigran

    tigran New Member

    Dawsonville, GA
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2004
    Messages:
    8
    My Jeep is a 1975 CJ5 that is currently riding on 33X12.5. The tires still have some wear left on them but I am currently thinking about getting a new set of 32X11.5. My reasoning for this is the 33's are currently rubbing the inside of the back wheel wells under any kind of flex and are rubbing on the front when in a tight turn. It is not causing any damage to the body yet but I am afraid that will come. Also with manual steering I was thinking that going with a smaller tire will give my arms a bit of a rest and possible make the jeep turn a bit tighter. I like the look of the 33's under the Jeep and I am not sure if I would be happy going down to a 31. My question would be would the 32's make that much of a difference or should I look into some wheel spacers or new rims with less backspacing to push the tires out a bit?
     
    tigran, Jul 26, 2005
    #1
  2. Jul 26, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,586
    The rear tires rubbing the body is not going to have any detrimental effects. I do think you will defiantely not like the looks with the 31s if you do like the 33's, you will notice. maybe add some spacers (last resort) Do you have any problems with acceloration with the taller tires, that would be a better reason to go smaller than the rubbing, your ams will probably be less tired but just by a little bit. Do you have a lift? But the good thing is you can probably sell your 33s and recoup some money to get new tires, this way you do not have a set of good tires laying around.
     
    DanStew, Jul 26, 2005
    #2
  3. Jul 26, 2005
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    Dropping back from 12.5 to 11.5 tires is only going to give you .5" more clearance in the wheelwells. You'll prolly gain the same amount by dropping the diameter of the tire by 1" also. I had 31x10.50s on the flattie with 15x8 rims and had no clearance issues; When I put those tires on stock 15x7 rims they hit on the front springs at full lock and in the wheelhouses under any flex at all. The problem was that the 15x8 rims pushed the tires outside the fender line, which is a no-no in Pennsylvania.

    If you look online, you will be able to find the backspacing for just about any kind of aftermarket rim, so you can compare against the backspacing on your current rims. If you're not concerned with the tires hanging out (and running 12.5's I assume that this is the case) then I think a set of rims with less backspacing is in your future. Dan's right, if you like the look you have now, you won't be happy with smaller tires IMHO.
     
    w3srl, Jul 26, 2005
    #3
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