Hello, I have a rubicon express 3.5 inch full leaf kit coming and I want to fit 32x11.5 tires on it without cutting or rubbing, I have ranger wheels that are 15x7 with 4.5 inch backspacing that I got for free and I want to use them because of the backspacing and the looks. Is there anyone out there running this setup or who knows if this will fit? I am aware that fitting 11.5 inch wide tires on 7 inch wheels is tight and can cause poor wear on the tires. Am I better off just going with 31x10.5? The jeep is a daily driver that will be used for light wheeling on the weekends. Any advice is appreciated, thanks.

 

You might want to go with a different backspacing, like 3.75. With 4.5, they won't stick out far enough, and they will rub on the inside of the fender. Also, you could easily fit 31's without trimming, but 32's may require it.

 

You "should" be fine on 4.5 w 32's..........I fit them just fine on a 3 inch lift with bushwacker flats.....so your lift difference "might" cover it. The backspacing is the problem

 

I have the RE 3.5 with a set of mickey Thompson MTZ 32x11.5x16's Basically the quadratec XJ project set up. The rims have a 5" back space and i have about an .5 to 1 inch of tire sticking out. I think it looks perfect, only issue is the stock brackets for the flares are in need of replacing.

Im not sure on the 15's and rubbing, you wont need to trim anything though.

 

I run RE4.5" front coils with 3.25 BS on 32x11.5s and I scrub with any moderate flexing. Also scrubs in reverse when the wheels are at full lock

 

The wheels will give you problems, just pick up a set of Cragar Soft Eights 15x8" with 3 3/4 to 4" of BS max. they are cheap on craigslist used and well under $90 new.

I started with 31x10:50 tires on the Soft Eights with a 3" lift they were fine on the highway but off road they rubbed on the fenders, flares with it flexing. I had to do some trimming on the sheet metal for a proper fit, not a lot but a little none the less and I removed the flares (didn't like them anyway) then no problems. Don't be afraid to trim most everyone does it to run a larger tire/wheel combo.

Then I went to a 33" tire and still no problems till I had full flex (sway bar disconnects) had to trim front fenders a little more and bump stops, no big deal.

Then went to a 4 1/2" lift with a lot of other things one being better and longer shocks this time didn't have any more issues.

 

thanks for the ideas, at this point i think the 31s would be a better fit and more practical, maybe for my next set i will buck up and get 32s and start hacking up my fenders and look at new rims. Im thinking duratracs right now beacause the on and offroad behavior and they wont be completely deadly on ice, up here your driving on ice 7 months out of the year so i dont want tires that will turn to flat hockey pucks at -40c, have you guys got any other suggestions for good tires?

 

I know people running 12.5 on a 7" rim. The only issue might be the backspacing. You could rub on the body and lower control arm a lot with 4.5" backspacing. Id go for 3.75". You may rub if you don't trim anything with 32s on 3.5". I rubbed on 6.5" on 33s.

 

To do it right you should have a1 5x8 wheel with 32s. That backspacing will not work, you are going to rub LCA's baddd. I agree with the cragar soft 8's. Otherwise procomp has some wheels around $100, check out the procomp 7031 rims

 

Pro comp series 52 - 55$ a piece

 

Summit offers there knock off d window wheels for around 50 a piece plus free Shipping on orders over $100

 

Yep, I have a set of these with the 3.75" BS. All 4 rims and new lug nuts for $225 to my door.

 

What year are you driving? I've got a 2000 with RE 3.5" springs in the front, RE AAL + extended shackle + shackle relocation bracket in the back. JUST put on 32x11.5r15 MTR-K's on about a month ago.

I went into this planning on rubbing, and I do. (Oh, I've got American Racing AR23's on there, about 3.75 backspacing.) It's not horrible if I'm not turning, but it can get a little loud when I turn too sharp. I'd say 31's are a much safer bet . . . plus you can get the Duratracs in 31 or 33, but not 32. Otherwise I would have gone with those.

Once I trim a little bit, it's gonna be pretty freaking bad ***.

 

i suppose you mean rubbing on your LCAs, or do you mean fenders? ive heard lots about the re 3.5 lift being closer to 4+ inches in actual lift and i have lots of folks trying to convince me to get the duratracs in 33x10.5. by the way, it is a '99 2dr with dana 30 front and chrysler 8.25 29 spline axles rear. also my bumper is off a 91 so it has different endcaps and tires wouldnt be likely to rub the bumper at all (3.55 gears btw)

 

I'm rubbing on the fenders right now. I've got some new adjustable lcas I the garage just waiting to go on, and one they're on, they'll push my axle forward just a smidge, so maybe then I'll be able miss the fenders and turn hard enough to rub on the lcas!