Am I able to put 16inch rubicon wheels on my cherokee with a 3.5 full suspension lift? I'm runnin 15.8 wheels right now with 31s but I got a good deal on rubi wheels and want to put them on, do I have to change my gearing or anything?

 

What size tires on it if they are close to 31's you will be fine also the rim doesn't matter it's the tire size that would mean you have to change gearing. are you going to be running with wheel adapters if so just be careful they don't get loose and break lug studs ( been there done that)

 

If they are the TJ Moabs (2004-2006) Rubicon wheels, you won't need an adapter. Obviously you will need new tires and a 255/75r16 is 31x10 which is probably similar to your current tires.

Gearing is based on tire size, but switching from steel wheels to alloy will lighten the rotating mass which means you probably will feel like you have more power with the new wheels.

EDIT: Based on the comment below I did some more research on my assumption and both wheels are approximately 26lbs. So you will not lighten the rotating mass.

 

Those wheels are about as heavy as steel wheels.

 

They're also larger, which might make it okay, except I found this for BFG ATs:

31x10.5R15: 44 lbs
255/70R16: 46 lbs
265/75R16: 54 lbs

265/75R16 is 31.6x10.4. 16" seems to be significantly heavier despite what I asdumed would be less mass (1" shorter side wall)

 

i have them on mine with 245/75/16 goodyear duratracs ran them stock with no issues, doesn't feel much different powerwise, im at a 3.5" lift now as well for what its worth, id like to go to 35s on the rubicon wheels but spacers would be needed due to backspacing, I haven't had anyissues with rubbing on my current setup

 

The bolt pattern is not the same as your XJ. I manage a wheel/tire/suspension shop for the last 10 years. You DO NOT want to use adapters to make the wheels work. I have seen anything and everything that could go wrong with them, go wrong with them.

 

TJ/LJ Rubicon is 5 on 4.5" just like the rest of the Jeep family since the XJ. You're probably thinking of the JK Moabs which are a 17" rim and fit 5 on 5.5" (or 5 on 5", whatever)

 

YJ, XJ, ZJ, TJ, and LJ all have the same bolt pattern.

 

You might want to get out of the office and into the shop or sales floor more often, the 16" Rubicon wheels are the same bolt pattern from 2003-2006 working at a tire shop this is something you should know.

 

My mistake 89-06 Wranglers are 5x114.3 and the 06 and up are 5x127 (5x5.0)

 

You are Still wrong. 87-06 Wrangler , 84-01 Cherokee, 86-92 Comanche, 93-98 Grand Cherokee , 97-06 Wrangler/Unlimited. 02-11 Liberty , 07+ Jeep Compass/Patriots All carry the 5x4.5 pattern.

The 5 x 5.5 pattern is used in 99 + Grand Cherokees , 07+ Wranglers, 06-11 Jeep Commanders BTW I've been in the Offroad/Tire industry for about 10 years !

 

I have the 16" Rubicon wheels on my 99 XJ. Previous owner purchased them (5 to be exact for $225 a piece) and I can't keep them balanced. Keep rubbing the balancing weights off with the sway bar disconnects. As far as weight goes, the Rubicon wheel and a LT245/75-16 weigh about as much as my steel 16's and LT265/75-16's on my old F150 did.

 

I stand corrected.

 

What is a good tire to use with them