33’s please

[Joe Adams]

Just got new tires for the CJ but I’m thinking I made a mistake.

Previously had an old set of BFG Mud Terrains from 1994. Stamped 33x12.5” had some rubbing when turning, to be expected and was able to fix it by adjusting the stops. Was never really worried about the rear tubs (but maybe I should have been?)

My body is fiberglass, with raptor liner.

Just had Kenda Klever 33x12.5” put on, and even though they are stamped the same, they seem way bigger. (Should have done a side by side but dad already disposed of the old tires.)

Did a quick “flex test” and they’re rubbing in the back. It will likely never see much, if any, off road action. Some sand time is more likely.

Should I just keep them and expect rubbing/approach any obstacle slowly, or go back to the tire shop with my tail between my legs looking for a 33x10.5 option? Am
I over thinking it?

The ride is night and day difference. Smoother & quieter, so I like them. I’m just worried about wearing arcs in the glass wheel tubs.

 

[jeepstar]

I prefer the 10.5 width

 

[duffer]

Just adjust the bumpstops. It wouldn't appear max articulation would be much of a concern for your use. If you still have the stock type bumpstops, make some spacers for them.

 

[sterlclan]

my 74 (rip) was a glass tub and the tires rubbed the inner flat part when it was twisted up never amounted to much more than a rub mark in the well.

 

[timgr]

my 74 (rip) was a glass tub and the tires rubbed the inner flat part when it was twisted up never amounted to much more than a rub mark in the well.

Even the factory tires do that on the factory body. BTDT.

 

[supertrooper]

You can add 1.5 inch wheel spacers. Thats what i run on my rear axle with a narrow track d30 up front.

 

[timgr]

You can add 1.5 inch wheel spacers. Thats what i run on my rear axle with a narrow track d30 up front.

Yes, too much backspacing.
I'm running 33x10.5s on 7x15 wheels with 2.5" backspacing IIRC.
Looked on Summit and these wheels are not be currently available?
No problem with the rear wheels clearing.

 

[PeteL]

Do you need that much flotation? It could even be deadly on a snowy road.

 

[duffer]

Do you need that much flotation? It could even be deadly on a snowy road.

They work fine on snowy roads. Less so on ice but that's more a mud terrain thing. 33 or 35 12.5's have been on every one of my driven Jeeps for more than a couple decades.

 

[Joe Adams]

my 74 (rip) was a glass tub and the tires rubbed the inner flat part when it was twisted up never amounted to much more than a rub mark in the well.

This is comforting to hear, thank you!

 

[Joe Adams]

You can add 1.5 inch wheel spacers. Thats what i run on my rear axle with a narrow track d30 up front.

I didn’t even think about spacers, good suggestion

 

[Joe Adams]

Do you need that much flotation? It could even be deadly on a snowy road.

No, I don’t. It’s just “what we had before” so we just went with the same size.

 

[cj2atruck]

I also run 1.5” wheel spacers for improved steering and no rubbing in the rear.

 

[Old67CJ5]

The website says they are a 32.6 but a 13.1 inch cross section. Most BFG's 12.5's are a straight up 12.5 cross section so that extra width is what's getting you. The height should be the same.

 

[Joe Adams]

The website says they are a 32.6 but a 13.1 inch cross section. Most BFG's 12.5's are a straight up 12.5 cross section so that extra width is what's getting you. The height should be the same.

thanks, I read that as well after doing some digging. I'm afraid to drive it as-is and I dont like that feeling, so I'm going down to a 10.5. Tire shop wont take these back (I wasn't expecting them to) so hopefully someone buys this set locally without too much of a financial hit.

also realized that when we had the fiberglass body reworked, the guy glassed in an extra 1/2" piece of plywood into each wheel well further reducing clearance. oh well, not everything can go according to plan I guess.