jsmoriss

Hi everyone,

I'm shopping for a set of winter tires and wheels _before_ I actually pickup my 4-door Rubi (in about 2 months - fingers crossed). My JK will be all black, so I'd like to put on some inexpensive black steel wheels for winter (the original wheels will be powder coated black for a set of summer tires). I was thinking of the Pro Comp Series 97 (17x8”, 5x5, 4.5” BS), Cragar Series 397 Soft 8, or Robert Thibert 297 -- all are the exact same wheel, including the 4.5" backspace (0 offset). So, my question is, what does a 4.5" wheel look like on a stock 4-door Rubi? My winter tires will be 265/70R17, so pretty much the same size as the factory ones. I will also lift the front 3/4", but that's about it. Any thoughts, opinions, suggestions, or pictures? How far out do you think they'll stick out? 1/2", more, less?

Thanks!
js.

jsmoriss

Ok, I found another thread where someone suggested doing a drawing (why didn't I think of this earlier - doh!). Anyway, here's what I came up with:

Original wheel is 7.5" wide with 6.25" backspacing, and tire is 10" wide. This would mean that, from the mounting surface, the tire protrudes 7.5" inward and 2.5" outward.

The combo I'm looking at is an 8" wide wheel with 4.5" backspace and (approx.) 10.5" wide tire. This would mean that, from the mounting surface, the tire protrudes 5.75" inward and 4.75" outward.

So, in the end (if all my calculations are correct), the tire is a 1/2" further out from the body (room enough for chains?), and protrudes 2 1/4" further out than the original tire.

I guess the only question remaining is, how much room is there between the original tire and the edge of the fender? 2 1/4" minus that space will tell me how far ouside the fenders my new wheel/tire combo will stick out...

Does all this sound right? Anyone know that original tire <-> fender space is? :-)

Thanks!
js.

jsmoriss

BTW, I found a pretty nice wheel & tire calculator...

http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp

js.

Rubimon

Are you talking to yourself here? LOL My tires are 35 x 12.5 x 17 on the same wheel dimensions you are quoting. They stick out 1 3/4". I hope that helps!

jsmoriss

Yeah, well, I figured it might be useful to someone in the future. :-)

Thanks for the info. I was really worried they would stick out too much, and once I place the order (and have 'em mounted + balanced), it's kinda too late. :-) Since the tires will be 10.5", compared to your 12.5", that means they ought to stick out just 3/4" or so. Sounds pretty good to me -- I'll put in my order tomorrow...

Thanks for poking your head in this thread -- it was getting lonely all by myself.

js.

Rubimon

You're welcome. Here is a pic!

[IMG][/IMG]

HappyCurmudgeon

That is just about exactly where i would like my tires to ride.

But i have no idea if it is legal to have them stick out here in the Soviet Socialist Republic of New York.

jsmoriss

That's very useful - thanks! Now if only American Racing made those Black Mojave's with a 5x5 bold pattern... :-)

Thansk,
js.