Thanks for taking time to read...

New to the Jeep world... Stock JK Wrangler Sahara with some minor creature comfort mods. I live on Long Island NY and don't plan to do much more in the way of off-road other than some trips to the beach and on low level dirt roads for photographic trips.

I have no intentions (at this point) to change the ride height since my other vehicle is a modified sports car with a super low and tight track suspension and the Jeep is just about perfect for what I need. That said, I have seen a few pics in one of the Show me your 33's threads and I while I will keep the stock Sahara wheels, I want some meatier rubber..

After much searching... what I want to do is exactly as seen below.... arincmax's setup...Toyo open country 33x12.50 R18 with no lift. (my mind has gone a little numb and I thought this setup included 1.5" spacers, but now I'm not sure).....







I got over the sticker shock of the Toyo's in 18's... Here are a few questions...

• Can anyone confirm if this setup, as pictures is using spacers?
  
• What should I expect in the way of compromises in characteristics? The fuel consumption and acceleration already suck, so how much worse will they be? I don't plan to change gearing and unfortunately I do the "spouse compliant" auto trans;
• Should I expect any rubbing? Again, I thought the setup used spacers which I am prepared to get, and I don't intend to fully compress the suspension like some of your hard-core junkies do (meant with all due respect and admiration!!), just basic stuff and much around town and highway;
• Should I expect less of a tight turning radius?
• How about road noise on pavement? A few posts about the Toyo's mentioned that they are actually quiet..
• I think my research tells me I should have no problem mounting the spare on the rear gate.. Yes? No?
• If I take a serious hit in acceleration, what mods, if any can be used to gain some of that back? Gearing change? Airbox mod? Exhaust? Program mapping?
• Any impact on highway driving? Darting? Bouncing?
• How about speedo? Does that lose accuracy?
• How other tire brands? What are the tires to be looking at? I've owned Toyo HiPer T1R's for the street car, no experience with tires for dual purpose...
• What do I need to know that I have missed??

Thanks in advance!!

 

If you are going to run stock wheels and those tires, then you will need spacers.

I don't know what gears you have but you will notice a difference in power but mostly just the overdrive and maybe on hills. It won't be too bad though.

Even with wheel spacers you might get a little rubbing at full turn. It might still hit the junkie plastic piece that wraps underneith from the front bumper. It won't cut down on your radius unless it hits the sway bar links.

I can't say from personal experience but any tire with a more aggressive tread is going to make more noise than your stock tires. But, that makes it more Jeep like!

No problem mounting the spare.

If you are unhappy with the less power after the tires your only REAL option is gears but I don't think that will be necessary. The AEV Pro Cal may help by adjusting shift points?

Hwy driving will be fine. Your speedo will be off a little but the Pro Cal will fix that to or a trip to your dealer to at least set it for the Rubi 32's.

Good luck!

 

Awesome response... Thanks!!

Must say I was a little disappointed that ride characteristics were a bit too plush for me so a little more "jeep like" is a good thing!

Sounds like my research is spot on and my expectations are managed well. Now to do some more research... What's more cost effective... Tires on the stock 18's or Wheels and tires in something smaller?? Any clearance issues with the front brake rotors and calipers?

 

No worries for rotors and calipers unless you go with some 15" wheels. Some require a little shaving of the caliper. But, since you aren't planning on wheelin' too much, a 17 or 18" wheel will offer you better road handling.

There are some pretty inexpensive wheels out there. It all depends on the look you want. If you find some wheels go with 4.5 backspacing and you won't need the wheel spacers.

 

Thanks!! I should tell you one of the reasons for adding the JK to my garage is the low cost of mods. My other car wears a set of 18" three piece custom wheels that were nearly $1000 each...without rubber.



So I'm good with the prices I see for the Jeep!!!

 

Cool. Well, don't forget the photo's whenever ya finish (or at least get wheels and tires......a Jeep is never finished!!!)