I'm thinking about picking up some 15x7 aftermarket steel wheels with 4.5" backspacing for my 01 Cherokee. I will be using the 235/75/15 Goodyear wranglers. Would the tires stick out too much and rub my fender flares? This is with all stock suspension, no lift. Anyone running this combo?

 

If its all stock don't waste your money on wheels when not needed for the tires. You can use a 15x8" rim with a 3.75-4" max. BS for up to a 12:50 width tire on stock LCA's. without rubbing. As for the stock flares don't know, they were the first things I removed on mine to cut the fenders for 33" tires. to flex a bit.


Do you mean your stock suspension is in really good shape and nothing needs to be replaced? If not may be time to do upgrades not just replacements small lift with new coils/leafs, steering upgrade ZJ, Shocks. Most all XJ's of this age shows a lot of ware in these areas.

 

Don't know about the 4.5" backspacing but I'm running the same exact size tires on stock wheels and suspension with no rubbing issues.

 

Nothing needs to be replaced on my stock suspension. I just had it inspected and alignment checked. It only has 58,000 miles. I am currently running the 235s with stock wheels. They fit fine, but I discovered 3 of the wheels are bent and causing a vibration at 55mph, so I figured I would look into new aftermarket wheels.

I just did some measuring, and it looks like I would have some rubbing issues with the flares if I go with the 4.5 backspaced wheels with the current stock height suspension. I am not willing to remove the flares and I don't want to lift it, so I will just hit the Junkyards and try to come up with some replacement stock wheels that are hopefully straight and true. Thanks for the input.

 

I'm running 30x9.5 on 15x8 - 3.75 backspace on stock suspension. I had to shave about 1/2 inch of inside fender up front but no rubbing otherwise.

I did rub a little on the back once but that was with 4 adults, 1 kid and a bunch of gear, which was making my old leafs sag. Even then it only rubbed when I flexed.

 

I'd look on Craigslist for some used stock wheels. I bought some 16x7 aluminum wheels from a '98 5.9 Grand Cherokee that look pretty good and fit nice.

 

Very nice an XJ with only 5X,XXXmi. rare find. Yes check craigslist and even here for stock wheels. The takeoffs usually are very cheap and even if a little rusty you can have them painted or coated to look new.