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Ride comparison: 30/9.50R15 vs. 215/75R15

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Old 02-10-2013, 03:01 PM
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Default Ride comparison: 30/9.50R15 vs. 215/75R15

Bleh. I've been searching this topic for WEEKS! I give up searching, and I'm posting the question.

I've seen plenty of posts (here and elsewhere) that tell me I can run the 30/9.50R15s on my stock 94 Cherokee without modifying the fenders or lifting the vehicle. I'm NOT going to do either one.

After reading many, many tire reviews, what I have decided on is the Treadwright 30/9.50R15 PUMA with their Kedge Grip compound.

It's a DD, with light off-road, and needs to be good in snow and ice. My commute takes me over the mountains.

I'm currently running 215/75R15 on stock steel wheels.

What kind of ride difference can I expect between 215/75R15 and 30/9.50R15?

I like to corner, and I'm concerned mainly about sidewall flex.

Anybody made a similar transition? Can you tell me how the handling changed?

Last edited by BlueRidgeMark; 02-10-2013 at 05:09 PM.
Old 02-10-2013, 04:32 PM
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I have some bfg long trail t/a 30/9.50/15 with half tread. It rubbed like crazy. So trimmed the fenders
Old 02-10-2013, 05:08 PM
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Where did it rub?
Old 02-10-2013, 05:19 PM
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I ran 30x9.5x15 Dick Cepek mud tires with a shot sagging suspension. My flares were all removed though. I got a bit of rubbing in the front wheel wells. The rears were fine.
Old 02-10-2013, 05:41 PM
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Just something to think of, Treadwrights seem to measure a little taller than most new tires. My 235/75R15 Treadwrights measure as tall as the new 30x9.5s on my uncles truck. My roommate's 31x10.5 Treadwright Guard Dogs measure as tall as the 33's on my old Chevy (although I have BFGs on it, and they came up shorter than most 33's too).
My 235s fit fine on my XJ until I put them on some 15x8s with 3.75" backspacing, then they rubbed. And when I ditched the sway bars, I had to attack the sheetmetal with a cutoff wheel, and still need to trim a little more up front.

Just something to keep in mind if you dont want to lift or trim.

As far as ride and handling, as long as the air pressure is right and the tires are balanced, you wont have any issues. Not big enough of a difference from stock to make much of a difference at all, especially if you dont lift it.
Old 02-10-2013, 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by BlueRidgeMark
Where did it rub?
They rubbed on the rear. I had the rear flares removed and the the metal kept cutting the tire so I cut and folded the rear. That was also on sagging springs
Old 02-10-2013, 05:58 PM
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Hmmm. Sounds like 30x95s are going to be marginal, or in the case of the taller Treadwrights, not work at all, and I tow frequently, so I guess I need to try plan B.

I was going for that size because it's the smallest tire TW offers.

*sigh*

I really like what I've read about the Treadwrights, but can't afford to be wrong on this. I'm pretty sure they won't refund my money if I order 4 tires and then say, "Oh, wait, they don't fit."

Looking for a good tire that will FIT with no rubbing, and will do decently in snow & ice. And not much over the hundred buck price point.

Suggestions?
Old 02-10-2013, 06:37 PM
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I don't know how good this tire model is but 235's will be fine, I had 235 wrangles on mine and the didn't rub.
https://www.treadwright.com/p-22-235-75r15-atg-c.aspx
Old 02-10-2013, 07:53 PM
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Time for a 1-2" budget boost?

Originally Posted by kirknd4spd
My 235s fit fine on my XJ until I put them on some 15x8s with 3.75" backspacing, then they rubbed. And when I ditched the sway bars, I had to attack the sheetmetal with a cutoff wheel, and still need to trim a little more up front.
So if you rubbed with 15x8's 3.75 bs, does this mean im going to rub 31x10.5 15x8's with 4" backspacing?
Old 02-10-2013, 07:56 PM
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235/75r15 were the biggest i went before lift.

no troubles
Old 02-10-2013, 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by ccooper1234
I don't know how good this tire model is but 235's will be fine, I had 235 wrangles on mine and the didn't rub.
https://www.treadwright.com/p-22-235-75r15-atg-c.aspx

Yes, but they don't make them, apparently. 6-8 week lead time, IF they can get them, call for details.

I would already have ordered them, otherwise! I've seen plenty of comments like yours stating that 235s work fine. But they seem to be made of Unobtanium, at least in the Treadwright world.


Also, see the comment above about Treadwright's being taller than most.
Old 02-11-2013, 06:07 AM
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Iv run 30x9.5 bfg's sense I got my xj. On stock rims there was no rubbing in the rear, fronts rubbed on my sway bar at full lock.

Removed my flairs and Bought a set of offset steelies (I don't remember the BS) and another set of 30x9.5 bfg's, no rub in the front but rubbed like crazy in the rear. I had to trim/fold. Probably wouldn't have been so bad if my leafs didn't have a neg. arch to them.
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