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Off Road Tire Sizes....

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by 0IIII0, Oct 26, 2006.

  1. 0IIII0

    0IIII0 Nibblin' on sponge cake..

    Got a deer tag and ready to take "Leanna" off road for the first time next weekend. I can't tell you how excited I am. So far I've put all emissions equip on, pulled a piece of "debris" out of the manifold, replaced a rocker-arm that was making a hell of alot of noise and now it's time to think about tires...:)

    Anyways, I noticed the tires it currently has have dry-rott, a common problem here in AZ where the rubber dries up and cracks possibly causing problems on the highway or off-road. I was checking out tire sizes and have it narrowed down to 3 possibilities...:rofl:

    235/75-15
    30 9.5-15
    31 10.5-15

    Currently, she has 235/75's with stock suspension and lift. I would like to put larger tires on to give the '76 a bit of an attitude. Will 31's be too big and cause too much rubbing offroad w/out a lift? Should I just stay with the 235/75's? How about in-between with the 30's? :?

    Any advice is greatly appreciated!

    Have a great Friday!:stout: 8)
     
  2. CJ4U

    CJ4U Aint broke, ur not trying

    I have 33/12.5 15's on my 75 w/o a lift. It rubs a little on the leaf springs when I turn. That didn't start until I swapped over to disks. I will reduce the size down to 31's when I need new tires (and rims cause there 10"). I personally think you'd be fine with 31's.
     
  3. High5

    High5 Member

    I'd go 31 or even 32's
     
  4. dereamy

    dereamy New Member

    When I purchased my 76’ CJ5 it had 31’s and the tire size was the only thing that was not totally stock, and it did just fine, no rubbing and they went up into the wheel wells just fine. If you have stock rims you might have to replace those if you go up to the bigger size tires and that will add to the cost…but 31’s will work just fine without a lift kit.
    Douglas
     
  5. LostDawg

    LostDawg Slowly rusting in the NW

    A 31" on stock rims will work just fine. I have 33"s on a standard 8" steel rim (my hunting/thrash on logging road tires) and there is no issue. About the only thing you see is a little more sidewall bulge. Also, if you are looking at, say, 31"s, ask the dealer what the true tire size is, some tires are advertised as 31"s or 33"s etc. but the true size is really closer to 30"s and 32"s.
    BTW, good luck hunting! Both for the elusive forked horn, and the rubber prey also! :D
     
  6. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    You'll likely find the stock tires rub offroad if you get crossed up enough - most likely in the rear wheelwells. Some guys go to great lengths with rim offsets or spacers to avoid this, I figure it's not really hurting anything other than putting scuff marks on the paint.

    10.50's on stock wheels will rub on the springs up front when turning -- it's the same issue I have with 11.50's on 7" wheels. With a 5 it won't be a big deal - just adjust your turn stops out. With the 6 it's making my turn radius really big, so I have a set of 1 1/4" spacers to try at some point.
     
  7. cj6np435

    cj6np435 New Member

    well I reckon go tall 32 or 33, and no wider than 9.5 on a light vehicle the wide tyres don't give enough ground pressure, unless of course sand is your thing
     
  8. speedbuggy

    speedbuggy Looking for a Jeep now

    Go with the 31x10.50's You'll be glad you did ;)
     
  9. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    With a stock dana 30 and 31x10.5's there will be no tire rubbing on the front springs. Boyink just forgot that the dana 30 is wider than the dana 27 front axle.
     
  10. JeepTherapy

    JeepTherapy Sponsor

    I like the 31 9.50 on stock jeeps. should be a good fit also. They may or may not rub the springs depending on your specific jeep. But as everyone has pointed out, either adjust the stops or just don't try to turn that tight. With light rubbing 33's will fit, especially if you stick with narrow tires.
     
  11. 0IIII0

    0IIII0 Nibblin' on sponge cake..

    Thank you all for your advice! I think I'm going to go big on the 31 10.5's!

    One more question....with that increase in tire size will I have to adjust the speedo?
     
  12. icewolf73

    icewolf73 I still eat mudpies.

    Only if you want it to be accurate. :)
     
  13. 0IIII0

    0IIII0 Nibblin' on sponge cake..

    Nawww....
     
  14. 1969 CJ-5

    1969 CJ-5 AZ Native

    I went and bought a set of 31 10.50 15 swamper trxus mt's for the heap before I even tried to get it running (note to self "get the junk running then bust the cash for wheels and tires") :oops: . They fit and look great. After I started dissasembly the tires migrated from the heap to my closet to keep them from dry rotting (much to my wifes displeasure):rofl: . I cant wait to get them back on and go wheeling after I finish putting it back together. I will eventually go to 33's but the 31's are great at stock height.