Hello All,

I am sure this question has been asked a thousand times on this forum but I'm afraid sometimes the search function isn't all that handy at getting specific information like this. I googled as well but struggled to find the exact information I was looking for.

Here is my dilemma:

In PA our wheels cannot stick out past the fenders (I think technically it is the tread needs to be under a fender). I have a 4 door JK with zenon flat flares that have an additional 1.5 inches of tire coverage. My question is will a wheel and tire combo of a 9inch wheel with 4.5 backspacing and a 35x12.5 inch tire be covered by the flares? Based on what I have been able to gather from others on this site it will be very close but I just was curious if anyone had any thoughts one way or another.

I also accept full responsibility on posting something that has been posted probably a thousand times. Perhaps with the proper tagging and titling of this post someone will be able to find this one!

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciate.

Thanks All!

 

Simple answer. No. It will still stick out past the fenders. Not much, but it will. Mine stick out 2" from the stock fenders. Add 1.5 to the stock and the tire is still hanging out a little.

Sent from the fast lane while driving one handed.

 

Damn! Would a 5 inch backspacing rub at full turn? I have a 2.5 inch lift and an after market stubby front bumper if that helps haha

 

I should probably say that I have already ordered wheels and tires they just haven't been processed yet lol. If I need to change my order I still have time

 

Living in pa I've had no problem with my wheels way out past the fenders. Are you doing this because you've run into problems.

 

no issues, just want to make sure the tires won't give me any trouble when they are installed. Last thing I want is the local police giving me a hard time or maybe not passing inspection because a bit of tire is past my flares.

 

Understandable I actually was pulled over by a trooper mid day and he didn't say a word even after I gave him a hard time about not having free rain to search the car. Also I guess it's nice to know someone who can inspect.

 

So Triplethreat, would you say your wheels (35x12.5 on your profile, guessing 4.5 BS) stick out more than 1.5 inches past your stock fenders? I did some number crunching last night and it looks like my tread will be under my fenders by the smallest margin. Not sure I am confident enough with my math to stay with 12.5s though.

 

If you can wait a few hours, I'll measure mine (315/70/17 Duratracs on 17x9 wheels, 4.5" BS). Prior to that, I would say they DO stick out more than 1.5" from the stock fenders.

Keep in mind that the tread is 12.5", the sidewall width will be greater. I think that makes sense??

 

Although I appreciate you offering to check (and if you get a chance that would be awesome) I am probably going to just bump myself down to a LT295/70R18 size tire. Should be about half an inch shorter but an inch less in width. Based on everything I have read on the forum that half inch loss on the outside will definitely be covered.

I am not thrilled about it but I just don't want to deal with the hassle of cops and inspection in this state. My jeep is my DD so maybe it isn't a terrible idea... Either way I will be posting pictures so if anyone ever is in the same boat as me they will have definitive proof one way or another!

Thanks all for your insight on this topic. I'll be fixing my order in 4 hours so if anyone has any additional thoughts before then please post away! haha