towman79

I have an 02 wj my question is can I fit 245/70R16 tires or 255/70R16 with cragar soft 8 rims or should in go with 235/70R15. now is there anything that I should worry when buying cragar soft 8 wheels I was told that the caliper will rub. Also remember I'm on stock suspension no lift kit.

GUARDIAN

On my 04 I had 245/75/16, with out a lift, but they were stock wheels. shouldn't rub on calipers. I don't know if with your soft eights the tires will rub on the inner fenders. Depends on backspacing. I currently have a 2.5 lift, running 265/75/16, 4.25 inches back spacing, and sometimes rub the inner fender when I turn tight to the right.

towman79

I'm thinking if I don't go with 235/70R15 Ima go with 255/70R16 with 6"backspace because isn't the lower number of the back spacing the more they wheels stick out

dave1123

Yes, but with an 8" wide rim, a 4" backspace makes the tire centered over the mounting flange. A 6" backspacing will put the tire back over the hub too much, limiting your turning angle and may interfere with the steering arms. I just had my wheels off today for a brake job. I wish I had measured my stock backspacing. I have 16X7.0 Timberline aluminum wheels with 245/70R16s on them. The only time they rub is downhill braking in a tight turn.

Cherokee_Mike

I run 245/70 x 16's with the standard factory rims on my 2000 WJ without any problems.

dave1123

As I said, the only time I had them rub was on a hard downhill cutback turn that I hit too fast for my own good. How many times are you going to do that? That means the outboard spring was compressed more than usual.

94zj318

The WJ's OEM tires and rims are either P225/75R16 or P245/75R16 (for the Laredo), so going down to 15"'s won't make it any better. I'd stay with 16"'s or else bump it up a size to 17"'s.

dave1123

Actually, you've got that wrong. Standard tire size for the WJ is 225 /75R16. Optional size is 245/70R16. That makes both sizes around 29.5" in diameter.

towman79

The Picture that I posted on my post above I change those tires because they were too big so I went with 235/75R15 the rims are 15 x 8 so I installed them the wheels do rub on the caliper a little bit nothing crazy so maybe I'm thinking shaving the caliper or would it work if I get a wheel spacers or should I go with the bigger size rims 16 inch

dave1123

Rubbing on the calipers interferes with braking action and wear on the pads. I wouldn't shave the calipers either! Wheel spacers will work, but I prefer not to use them. Get the 16's! JMHO.

towman79

I think Ima get spacers for now till I buy 16s inch wheels

dave1123

Make sure they're good quality forged steel and mounted correctly, clean surfaces.

towman79

yes I'll make sure there not made in China
Thanks

peep

16" rims best selection, if spacing out, 1.25 or 1.5 in max, Spyertrax spacers working great for me for years on the XJ, how much is a little rub?
If you shave say 0.030" off the outer dia of the caliper it could carry on fine, if you have to shave more than that, I would look at other alternatives.
With too much backspacing on the rim you could rub the tire on the lower control arm at full turn (why I added the spacers).
Torque your spacers on, then torque your tire on. (I suggest 100 ft lb on both)

towman79

thank you for the info