Upgrading to some new 31 x 10.50s. found out today with a test fit that they will work with my lift.
only problem is that the 235s currently mounted appears to be the largest size that will fit in the stock inside spare tire location. Pushing the rear seat forward is a mute point as the current limiting factor is the factory resessed spot for the tire doesn't allow the 31 to even fit inside the Jeep.
The 31s look great and clear even at full lock but gotta have usable space in the back and not just tossing the larger spare in flat and taking up most of the cargo room.
If money were no object a swing mount behind the lift gate would be ideal. Assuming you could even find one.
But with the spend for the new shoes expensive options are out of the question.

 

Almost positive I have read about guys removing the "stand" the spare sits on and using one of the holes instead of the center to secure the tire back there.
But no idea of how big a tire this will work for.
If I am even right about people doing it.

 

If you don't have lockers front or rear, just use the 235.

 

@RocketMouse Here's how Matt at Bleepin Jeep did it. It's a tight fit but as he says ... "it works".


I have 31 x 10.5s on mine too and decided to think "outside of the box" ... literally. You're right that swing mounts are a bit pricey. I built one for about a quarter of the price and it works well.

 

I would do that exactly.... but I'm not a welder... so that kinda rules it out for me as custom fab is generally not cheap if you're not the one doing the fab for yourself.

 

I had seen that bleepin' Jeep video several moons ago... On his that obviously worked...but that little "recess" on the older XJ like his doesn't seem to be as pronounced as on my 99. So even with moving the seat forward... can't make the tire/wheel sit any further forward inside the Jeep. Only thing I noticed different is that mine has a "half-dome" hard plastic piece that goes in the gap of the center hub of the wheel and it screws in place there, not through one of the actual lug bolt holes like on his.

 

@cruizer... True... the 235s aren't that small... the main reason is different distributors I've spoken with say that fewer and fewer tire companies are making that size. Where as the 31x10.50 LT is pretty much a staple in the market as most are moving towards offering only the larger sizes.... I've had more than one distributor tell me that same thing. FWIW.