Matter

Anyone have any pictures or comments about a 4.5" lifted xj with 31s and 1.5" wheel adapters and stock fenders?

I had just put adapters on my xj (slightly under 4"s of lift and 31s) and it is rubbing a tad on the back of the front fenders on sharp turns. I am thinking about going up to 4.5"s so any pictures or feedback you guys have would be greatly appreciated. Also, I don't want to cut fenders, so any help with this would be great. Thanks in advance.

Bossokee

More lift won't really help the problem, as when that wheel fills into the fender more with compression it will still hit. You could bumpstop to reduce that uptravel but i would just trim where it is rubbing

Donnie_K

uptravel doesn't make your tires rub your bumper end caps in turns....

Your camber is off bro, it needs aligned.

Bossokee

^ Do you mean caster? I really don't think an alignment will solve the problem here.
*edit* Also, he did not say bumper end caps, read again. I have had this problem in the past so I understand the dynamics of the situation here.

Donnie_K

really? so the bumper end caps aren't the front part of your front fenders? I'm not worthy of your infinite wisdom... but if you see fit, teach me oh wise one...

Though you're right, I meant caster, not camber. if the lower control arms are too far forward, it throws your caster off and causes you to hit your bumper end caps during up travel or in some cases, even while turning.

on another note... if you're running stock wheels then 1.5" wheel spacers sets your backspacing at 3.75 which would usually be fine, but combined with the lower control arms being all the way forward can cause the outside of your tire to hit the bumper end caps as well...

For the sake of avoiding anyone feeling insulted, can you post a pic of your wheel well please and maybe point out or circle where the rubbing is occuring?

Bossokee

He stated: "rubbing a tad on the back of the front fenders on sharp turns."
not the "front OF the front fenders." I understand that there technically no "rear fenders" but he means the back of the fenders, opposed to the front of the fenders which would be the bumper caps like you stated earlier. Meaning that the control arms are not too long like you think. Now go ahead and try to prove me wrong again.

Donnie_K

Thank you oh wise and mighty, for gracing me with your words...

if that's the case, then the control arms are moved BACK too far instead of forward... would STILL pan out to an alignment and not uptravel. So I misread, and you still have an understanding of these dynamics far beyond the outreaches of human knowledge...

Sounds like we were both wrong. Again, pics please?

Bossokee

The most definitive way to find how (or if) you can position a certain size tire under to vehicle, is to take an unmounted tire of that size and stick it in the wheel well. Be sure to position it as it would steered both directions and see if there is a position it doesn't rub. Once you find that spot (axle position, and wheel offset,) adjust your control arms and backspacing to best fit that position of the wheel in the wheel well. The problem is that i think you will find that when that size tire is steered in your wheel well at around 4" lift height, the distance between each corner of the tire will still be slightly too large to fit in the untrimmed wheel well without touching. Donnie_K is right though pics will help. I see some in your build thread but a closer pic's of the wheel well will show us how we need to adjust the caster or backspacing. Or even the lift height if it comes to that. Some people are reluctant to trim which is certainly understandable for a clean jeep like yours.

darknezz

I understood that he meant at the back of the fenders, like closest to the doors.

you need longer lower control arms. as you lift up it pulls the axle more towards the back of the car making it uncentered in the front wheel well. thats your caster. the LCA's will push the axle forward and center it again.

this is mine BEFORE LCA's, you can see how close the tire is to the inside back of the fender

obviously I couldnt of fit bigger tires without rubbing

Bossokee

^ I know what you mean, those are 30's right? I'm just thinking that with his 31's lengthening the LCA's will only shift the rubbing from the back of the fender to the front. The extra backspacing amplifies fender rubbing also, especially with spring compression and steering. Idk what you have for backspacing
This is a 235/75/15 fully tucked, i dont see how a 31 would fit without rubbing at that backspacing
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...-rack/51580-a/
I know it's not the best picture, sorry

Donnie_K

^FYI I am running 4.5" with 31's and 4" of backspacing with no trimimng done whatsoever (til I can afford the regear for 35's ), and I have no rubbing when turning at full lock, the only rubbing I have is under hard flex. My kit also came with longer lowers though and I had it aligned.

darknezz

the tires in that pic were like 29's, there gone now yay!

before my lift they rubbed on the back bumper part of the fender, so i chopped off that corner heh. but yeah your jeep is nice clean and un molested, leave it that way.

i have no idea what my backspacing is

If you get adj arms you should be able to find a middle spot.

Matter

Sorry for the delayed response. Here are some pictures:

Donnie_K

losen the bolt through the back of the lower control arm, losen the two adjusting nuts on the back of that, move it forward, tighten it back down. both sides.

Bossokee

X2, if it still rubs after this post pics again and we'll help you out from there