The spare tire in my 1999 Cherokee has a 15" rim with a 235/75r15 tire. The 4 rims on the car were changed out by the PO for what looks like Jeep Liberty rims. They are 16" and have 225/75r16 tires on them now. They are a mismatch with the spare, and if I am going to upgrade the tires, I wanted to make sure that I end up with 5 rims and 5 tires that match.

While comparing the 15" spare rim to the four 16" rims, I began to think about the offset. Looks like the Jeep Liberty rims have a "High Positive Offset" and the Jeep Cherokee rims have a "Medium" offset.

http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse...._Reference.cfm

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/knowled...ifications.htm

Further research led to me to see that the Jeep Liberty 16" rim offset is 31.75mm.
http://www.partswebsite.co/parts/tag/liberty/page/17/
http://www.wheelsandcaps.com/p-20708...16x7-9049.aspx

And the Jeep Cherokee offset for their stock 15" rim is 15mm.
http://www.wheel-size.com/size/jeep/cherokee/1999/

If those numbers are correct, that means the difference is 16.75mm. Meaning the Liberty 16" rims on my Cherokee sit 1.675cm more into the wheel well than the stock 15" rims.

How does this bode for installing wider tires? I'm thinking about going back to the original 15" rims to regain the original offset. Or if I stick with the 16" Liberty rims, I will have to find a 5th rim in a junkyard or something.

BTW, just installed a 1.75' lift on my Cherokee.

 

Not sure what year liby rims you have post a picture. I have 2 full sets.
these are off an 06 liberty and I have another set off an 08 I run them with 1.5 offset wheel spacers and I think they look great on the Cherokee it also give me more options in tire size in this picture I'm running 255/85r16 maxis bighorns. They don't rub on anything I also ran 265/75r16 and only rubbed on the front sway bar.<br/>

 

Here are some side and rear pics.
The tires are 225/75r16 and seem to be set into the wheelwell a little bit more than I am used to seeing. Due to the positive wheel offset, I guess.

 

Those are factory xj rims I saw a red one today parked with the same set it was a 4 door 2000 limited.

 

Correct.

They look like they are inboard because the are only a 7" wheel.


Find a 8" or 9" wheel and put some meat on that Jeep.

 

OK, looks like Jeep shared the rim with both the Liberty Renegade trim and Cherokees. I had only seen them on Liberties. Learn something new everyday. :-)

With the 225/75r16 tires on there now, they are relatively close to the leaf springs. Any wider tire mounted on them could be a rubbing issue.

I would need a rim with less backspace to move the tire out and away from the leaf. If you know of an 8 or 9 inch rim that fits the bill, let me know....

 

Ravines are 8" and stock so the backspacing is correct at 5.25"

You'll need to do the ZJ lower control arm upgrade if you want no rubbing.

 

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/pts/5127510029.html

 

here is a good thread with the different wheel measurements..

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/loo...1/#post3079125


i have those wheels kid said they came from a 2000 xj. don't see what th ebig deal is.. as long as the 15" tire is the same height as the other four it will be fine as a spare.

 

those aren't the wheels he has.. look close at the pics they are different. his are 7" wide






.

 

He asked about a 8" wheel.

 

oops. sorry.. my bad

 

Better option is the correct 15" wheel and that would be a 15x8" with 3.75-4" max of backspacing. Never use wheel spacers or adapters not as strong, can loosen and cost for good ones are as much or more as a proper sized steel wheel.


Sell what you now have to offset the cost some then do it right the first time out.

 

Which rims off what Cherokee/Grand Cherokee/other vehicles will work best that fit the bolt pattern? The original steel rims will work, but finding a set that aren't corroded will be a challenge. What rims do you all have?

BTW, a "ring" of indentation has developed around each of my tires, which are almost brand new. Both inside and outside each tire. Right in the middle of the sidewall, all the way around. Being on the outside tells me that it's not b/c it is rubbing on a vehicle part. I do drive on the beach at reduced 23 psi. When done on the beach, I drive 1 mile to a gas station at 23 psi to re-inflate. I go 25 mph to get there. I don'tnt think this is the cause. The sidewall flex while driving at lower PSI on the sand is causing it maybe? Any other beach drivers see this? I'll post pics soon.

 

Indentation that goes through the letters on the sidewall. Weird.