OK Did it...Project White LIBAR8R is in the works.

LIBAR8R · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 12:51 pm

KJ04 wrote:

Why a 17" rim, looks? Most people here that have stock 17" rims are getting rid of them for for better tire options in a 15" or 16" rim size.
Most popular and suited for the KJ being 255/70/16, 245/75/16 on 16x7 w/4.5" B.S. or 16x8 w/5" B.S. on a 2.5" lift kit.

The Liberty has small wheel wells to start with, not to mention, in most cases the front pinchweld needs to be flattened over with a big hammer to accomodate larger tires, which will still rub on the swaybar and front foglight area. Then theres the stuffing issues to contend with also, gas mileage drop and loss of torque with a larger diameter tire to consider.

Back Spacing is only one part of the equation that needs to fit with all the other parts.

Research well, or you'll find yourself with something you paid a lot of money for that dosen't work!

My understanding is that with the 2.5" lift I need to maintain a 31" overall tire size maximum. I found a nice looking 17" rim, don't have problems with 16" rims either. I found that BFG's and Nitto Terra grapplers come in everything from 16-18" size wheel sizes around a 31" overall size.

The stock wheels as you mention are 16x7 with 5.5 bs I believe. As it stands now(stock) my wheels sit about 1.5-2" inside the fender. I just want the jeep to have a nice wide stance where the wheels/tires are either flush with the fender's, or poke out barely. (Similar to my truck in the signature)

I'm not familiar with the KJ's, spent most of my research efforts on my silverado and so that's why there's a huge influx of newb KJ questions coming from me. Would a 17x9 rim work? Or is a 9" wide rim too wide regardless of BS? I'm not going to be actually jeepin' my jeep, it's merely for looks so I would like to get a nice looking rim vs the durability of some soft 8's.

I'm looking at the nitto grappler AT tires, they seem like a nice alternative to the ever so popular expensive bfg's AT KO's that I Love...

Check out these rims:
http://www.kmcwheels.com/html_pages/media.html

My idea is this...

I have a 2005 White sport liberty right.

I want to take all the gray trim and either have it painted black, or have it ryno lined black.

I'm going to tint the windows and I'd like to get the nitto terra grappler tires with those rims so that it's a stealth looking all black and white ride. It will still have the ability to get to the ski hills, backcountry fireroads, and mountain bike trails. I'm not going for a rock crawling machine, just want something nice looking and this is what I have in mind.

Whatcha think?

desertkj · **Joined:** Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:24 pm **Posts:** 677

Thats actually the rig I have in mind as well. So far, I've been under the impression that Nittos wont fit without rubbing. The closest I've been able to find that would fit is either Procomps or Toyos. Personally, I love the tread design of the Dune Grapplers, but they dont make them in our size.

By the way, the Chevy's gorgeous. If I had $16K, I'd be offering to buy it.

LIBAR8R · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:22 pm

desertkj wrote:

Thats actually the rig I have in mind as well. So far, I've been under the impression that Nittos wont fit without rubbing. The closest I've been able to find that would fit is either Procomps or Toyos. Personally, I love the tread design of the Dune Grapplers, but they dont make them in our size.

By the way, the Chevy's gorgeous. If I had $16K, I'd be offering to buy it.

Thanks for the Chevy Props! I wish I would of sold it in Washington state before I moved back here as I know I could of sold it quickly for proably a $1k or more than what I'm offering. But where I'm at in Ohio trucks aren't in that high of demand, especially custom ones...

So the Nittos won't fit??? I wish there was a place that just knew what works and what doesn't, I don't want to drop $1200 + shipping on this wheel/tire combo and end up having them not fit...problem is I have to have them shipped in.

LIBAR8R · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 1:24 pm

I just got this response from the shop I'm buying the tires and wheels through. If any of you are looking for the cheapest price on a "NICE" wheel/tire setup these guys have been the cheapest and I research like crazy before I buy....hence all the questions

"The total height of the 265/70-17 is 31.61 inches. Still too big? My tire rep say you should be fine. You did come stock with a 16x7 and a +41 mm offset = 5.61 inch backspace and 2.39 inch of forwardspacing. So these rims will fit 1.93 inches out more than stock. "

Katrina @ www.tomzwheels.com or just email them for a quote @ TomZwheels@aol.com.

I bought those wheels and tires from them that's on the chevy in my signature for almost half of what the local retailer was quoting me.

desertkj · **Joined:** Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:24 pm **Posts:** 677

I would say with that size you will definitely get some rubbing. However, it depends on what your expectations are for your Jeep as well. Are you planning on doing some hardcore wheeling or is it more just for looks? Because if you have a lot of flex, I'm not sure how tires that big will stuff in the fenders. If you get them, let us know how they fit, because I like that combo, but I had ruled it out becuase I was under the impression they wouldnt fit, but the tire guy says otherwise, so I'm curious now. Oh, and when I'm in the market for trucks, I guess I'll have to go to Ohio.

KJ04 · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:33 pm

The 17x9 rim w/4.5" B.S. seems feezable. I don't have any personal experience with 17" wheels, but would drop down a size on the tire from 265/70/17(31.6) to a 265/65/17 (30.5") to help with rubbing. You'll still have to pound over and flatten the pinchweld though, and will likely rub on the fog light area and the swaybar.

Hopefully someone running 17's will have better answers for you.

There is a tire section in the forums you can check out also.

LIBAR8R · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:44 pm

KJ04 wrote:

The 17x9 rim w/4.5" B.S. seems feezable. I don't have any personal experience with 17" wheels, but would drop down a size on the tire from 265/70/17(31.6) to a 265/65/17 (30.5") to help with rubbing. You'll still have to pound over and flatten the pinchweld though, and will likely rub on the fog light area and the swaybar.

Hopefully someone running 17's will have better answers for you.

There is a tire section in the forums you can check out also.

Ok thanks. What's the average size that everyone is going with that has a 2.5" lift? 16x8 with 5 bs? 245/75/16? Does this achieve the "flush w/fender" look? I've seen a really nice white lib on here that I'm trying to find that has a nice wheel stance.

LIBAR8R · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:48 pm

THis has a really nice look to it: http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y129/S ... CT0322.jpg

But he talkes about wheel spacers???

KJ04 · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 2:59 pm

If this is what you're looking for, they are Rubicon Moab Rims 16x8 w/5"B.S. and 245/75/16's (30.7").

LIBAR8R · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:03 pm

KJ04 wrote:

If this is what you're looking for, they are Rubicon Moab Rims 16x8 w/5"B.S. and 245/75/16's.

Haven't seen that yet but that's a nice stance. So if these are 16x8's with 5 bs, that's what 1.5" wider than stock? That's real close to the 1.93 bs figures below right?

"You did come stock with a 16x7 and a +41 mm offset = 5.61 inch backspace and 2.39 inch of forwardspacing. So these rims will fit 1.93 inches out more than stock. "

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:12 pm

Just remember, that with less backspacing the wheel will "stick" out more. This will increase the "arc" the wheel/tire travels when turning, which will cause more rubbing especially inside the wheelwell at the pinch weld.

LIBAR8R · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 3:18 pm

Anyone tried LT265/75R16 31.54" size?

Seems like the popular sizes are the 245/75R16 which is 30.7 I think. If I'm not "jeepin" would the 31. ?? work?

desertkj · **Joined:** Mon Jan 30, 2006 8:24 pm **Posts:** 677

LIBAR8R wrote:

Anyone tried LT265/75R16 31.54" size?

Seems like the popular sizes are the 245/75R16 which is 30.7 I think. If I'm not "jeepin" would the 31. ?? work?

I'm planning on going with the 245/75/16s when I get mine lifted next week.

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 6:00 pm

Here are a few more pics to help you get an idea: First is my '02 with stock wheels/tires and second is my KJ with Rubicon Moab wheels/tires, 245/75-16 16x8 w/5"bs. Mine is lifted some, more in front than rear. The tires are nice and flush with the fenders and rub when backing and turning but not bad. I believe 245/75-16 are by far the most common upgrade tire size for the KJ as is the wheel dimension. IMO a 17x9 wheel is too wide for the Liberty, by the time you get enough backspace to clear the suspension you will be sticking out past the fenders an inch or so. Plus that's a lot of rubber to be pushing. I personally would stick with a 16x8 rim and find a good tire to fit it, 17x8 maybe but you will end up with a slightly lower profile tire.

LIBAR8R · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 7:54 pm

waddy whiteguts wrote:

Here are a few more pics to help you get an idea: First is my '02 with stock wheels/tires and second is my KJ with Rubicon Moab wheels/tires, 245/75-16 16x8 w/5"bs. Mine is lifted some, more in front than rear. The tires are nice and flush with the fenders and rub when backing and turning but not bad. I believe 245/75-16 are by far the most common upgrade tire size for the KJ as is the wheel dimension. IMO a 17x9 wheel is too wide for the Liberty, by the time you get enough backspace to clear the suspension you will be sticking out past the fenders an inch or so. Plus that's a lot of rubber to be pushing. I personally would stick with a 16x8 rim and find a good tire to fit it, 17x8 maybe but you will end up with a slightly lower profile tire.

THat looks f'n sweet bro, that's mos def. the look I'm going for, thanks!

LIBAR8R · **Posted:** Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:02 pm

Ok so I found the wheels I want, no compromises here, I need to find the right fitment. I'd like to achieve a real close if not same setup to the nice looking blue liberty above this post.

Click this link, check out the wheels and help me pick the right size!!!

http://www.wheelworldusa.com/prodview.asp?ID=240

Matt400 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:10 am

If you haven't, list your Chevy on AutoTrader. I have had good luck with that.

I have 16x8 with 5.5bs wheels and 245/75R16's The fit is seems pretty much max but a 265/70R16 may also work.

waddy whiteguts · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:15 pm

Thankyou for the compliments LIBAR8R. Those are some wild wheels your looking at! I guess my suggestion would be the same size combo as I have simply because it seems to be the one that works for most people, myself included.

bmg9b · **Posted:** Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:14 pm

So, I know the stock Renegade wheels for the 2005-2006 model years are 16x7... but what's the backspacing? Anyone know off the top of their head? All this wheel talk got me thinking about something and I need some numbers before I can do the math...

PBrug · **Posted:** Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:56 am

bmg9b wrote:

So, I know the stock Renegade wheels for the 2005-2006 model years are 16x7... but what's the backspacing? Anyone know off the top of their head? All this wheel talk got me thinking about something and I need some numbers before I can do the math...

I'm fairly certain the stockers are 5.5.

OK Did it...Project White LIBAR8R is in the works.

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