Hi there,

I apologize first off for perhaps a repetitive question, but I could not find a definitive answer when searching, so here goes....

I have a 2008 2dr JK Sahara with a 2.5 RC Budget Boost. I am looking to run 315 75 16's and want to retain my Stock fender flares. I also need to ensure the tires DO NOT stick out past the Stock flares as I want no trouble with the Po Po. I am scrapping the stock 18" wheel tire combo and am looking at MB72 or Soft 8's of the 16" variety. Can someone tell me what the correct backspacing would be to ensure these tires won't stick out past the flares? I am thinking either 4.50" or 4.75" but hoping someone could confirm this?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Can anyone shed some light on my email below?

 

4.5 will be close if i recall. After cutting my fenders with 4.5 i believe they barely stuck out.

 

Most people use a 9 inch wide wheel with 4.5 inches of backspacing, which is what I have. I'm running 33x12.50's.

 

Even with 4.5" BS, they are going to stick out past the fenders. If you don't want them to stick out AT ALL then you will need to keep the factory wheels or get wider fenders.

Just figure the less backspacing, the more they will stick out. Factory is 6.5" or something like that. You need 4.5" or less to use a larger tire.

The first wheels I ran where 285 X 75 X 16 (close to a 33") on a 16 X 8 wheel with 4.5" BS. They stuck out a bit and would spray the side of the Jeep anytime I got near water.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

Ok to expand on the discussion... if I were to go with an 8" wheel and still have the 4.5" backspacing I dare say that would make the tire stay under the fender better than say a 9" or 10" wide wheel? I dare say the ability to rub on the inside would be greater since you would have more mushrooming of the tire due to the narrower rim?

Sorry for the questions, but just really want to get this right the first time. I really want to keep the factory fenders and the budget would not allow for new aftermarket ones!

Thanks!

 

Well I'll tell you what I have....I just put 315/75/16s on 16x8 Cragar D-window steelies. Backspacing is 5" I believe... I have no rub but the tires stick out about 1" from the stock fenders. I have been riding with this for about a year now and haven't had any problems with five-o. In fact, I know a lot of cops and they always dig on my jeep and have never said anything about that and I know they would if it were an issue. Granted, not sure what your state policy on that is.

Anyway, to sum up...unless you get a new axle or wider fender flares, 315/75R16 tires on 16x8 rims will stick out about an inch. Personally, I love the set up, especially after I put my adj. trackbars on (I was riding for a month without them...don't do that). And as a heads up, and IMHO, I wouldn't put 315/75 on anything lower than an 8" width rim. 7" width rim might work (and I would search the forum for a more informed answer to that) but I wouldn't risk it. I'd hate for the bead to come off at 70 mph