What are the biggest tires you can run without a lift kit?

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2014 12:23 pm

What are the biggest tires you can run without a lift kit?

The OEM's were 235/75R16 Would LT245/75R16's fit easily? How about LT265/75R16

Incorrect The OEM's were LT225/75R16

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2014 2:36 pm

jrsavoie wrote:

What are the biggest tires you can run without a lift kit?

The OEM's were 235/75R16 Would LT245/75R16's fit easily? How about LT265/75R16

I'm no expert, but based on my experience and what I have read by others on this forum:
245/75R16 is the max with stock equipment and even then you may get some slight rubbing on the front depending on how bad your OEM springs have sagged.
265 requires some serious lift to clear everything, i.e. springs, clevis spacer, and different upper control arms.
With just replacing original springs with (Ironman or OME ones) and adding a small clevis spacer, you can run 245x75's without any problems.
That is what I am running right now and have no desire to go bigger. Required no trimming and I get no scraping even at full turn... :SOMBRERO:

Keep in mind: The more lift, the more strain on all the CV joints... :roll:

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:26 pm

Stock sagged suspension 245-70-16s would be largest and then have some rub
245-75-16s 2-3 inch lift
265-75-16s 4 plus lift with a regear included

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:43 pm

Thanks Guess I'll stick with LT235/75R16

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:39 pm

What about LT235/80R16?

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:49 pm

jrsavoie wrote:

What about LT235/80R16?

those would work. that being said, those are a lot skinnier than your 235/75s. the lower the "middle" number the wider.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2014 6:16 pm

jrsavoie wrote:

What about LT235/80R16?

235-80-16 ?????
Only ones I have ever seen in that size were trailer tires
If you meant 235-85-16s then no they are 32 inches tall

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:57 pm

PALiftedKK wrote:

jrsavoie wrote:

What about LT235/80R16?

those would work. that being said, those are a lot skinnier than your 235/75s. the lower the "middle" number the wider.

Actually, the first number is the width in MM. So in this case it's 235mm wide. The second number is the sidewall height. That's a percentage of the width. And the 3rd is the rim diameter. So the lower the first number is, the skinnier the tire. The higher the second number is, the larger the sidewalls are.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:21 pm

tommudd wrote:

jrsavoie wrote:

What about LT235/80R16?

235-80-16 ?????
Only ones I have ever seen in that size were trailer tires
If you meant 235-85-16s then no they are 32 inches tall

I thought they made some Lt235/80 R16's Might have been mistaken. What other size is the same height?

I have some 245/75R16 Load range E's I could mount up and try before I bought. I need to find out which of my friends has a tire machine.

It's to expensive around here to go switching tires just to check things out anymore.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:48 pm

One lift I did the guys 235-70-16s were rubbing before we started
so before you start trying i would do some measuring between middle of the wheel and bottom of fender

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2014 12:10 am

Are 235/75s really OEM? That's a pretty large tire for KJs/KKs. I thought 235/70 was OEM. Either way, the 235/75-16 is a 30" tall tire. You can go with a 245/70-16. It'll be 10mm wider, and a tad shorter. If you can fit 245/75-16s, try them. Depending on the tread pattern and amount of sag they might fit, but it'll be tight. They're only 1/2" or so taller than the 235/75s.

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2014 8:40 am

Bmxer524 wrote:

Are 235/75s really OEM? That's a pretty large tire for KJs/KKs. I thought 235/70 was OEM. Either way, the 235/75-16 is a 30" tall tire. You can go with a 245/70-16. It'll be 10mm wider, and a tad shorter. If you can fit 245/75-16s, try them. Depending on the tread pattern and amount of sag they might fit, but it'll be tight. They're only 1/2" or so taller than the 235/75s.

How do 245/75R16's compare with 235/85R16's Skinnier is better for fuel mileage.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2014 10:17 am

235-85-16 is 32 inches tall YOU NEED 4 INCHES OF LIFT to run that size
245-75-16 is 30 inches and with sagged springs would rub like crazy even when on a brand new back in the day they would rub
WITHOUT A LIFT stick with 245-70 at most and like mentioned have seen 235-70s rub

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2014 10:18 am

Bmxer524 wrote:

Are 235/75s really OEM? That's a pretty large tire for KJs/KKs. I thought 235/70 was OEM. Either way, the 235/75-16 is a 30" tall tire. You can go with a 245/70-16. It'll be 10mm wider, and a tad shorter. If you can fit 245/75-16s, try them. Depending on the tread pattern and amount of sag they might fit, but it'll be tight. They're only 1/2" or so taller than the 235/75s.

no

jrsavoie · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2014 10:40 am

I double checked. OEM is LT225/75R16

I think LT235/75R16 will work. What load range and or speed rating should these tires be? I don't know much about these little tires. I'm used to LT 265/75R16 load range E or F. Never had to consider anything else

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2014 12:03 pm

235-75-16 is Still a 30 inch tall tire
again not knowing how much your's has sagged hard to say
But.................. :roll:

bgcarl01 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:27 pm

I ran a 235 75 16 while stock. It fit okay. Of course they were used, so not much tread left. You could try that size, or go with the tried and true 245 70 16.

wheeee32 · **Posted:** Sun Dec 21, 2014 2:52 pm

As stated already, you can run a 245-75-16 with little to no issues. It all depends on how much your stock suspension has sagged. I wouldn't recommend going to that size until you get a small amount of lift. I was on stock suspension and I was rubbing on pinch welds in the front wheel wells. I was sitting at 18.0" center of hub to flare. Once you do go up to 245-75-16, it isn't required but a regear to 4:10's helps a lot. If you decide to step up to 265's, you'll have to regear to 4:10's, otherwise your engine and transmission will age/break a lot faster due to not being able to handle the larger tire size. Your gas mileage will also be beyond dismal.

dstnm523 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:13 pm

What about 17"s? Got some 17" freedom editions sanded and primed for painting. Was thinking 235/70/17 for them. I've got about 1.25" of lift. Center of wheel to fender is 21.5"

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 29, 2014 9:17 pm

dstnm523 wrote:

What about 17"s? Got some 17" freedom editions sanded and primed for painting. Was thinking 235/70/17 for them. I've got about 1.25" of lift. Center of wheel to fender is 21.5"

21.5, if that's what you have in front it is 2.25 inches of lift so a 30 inch tire will work ( i.e. 235-70-17s )

What are the biggest tires you can run without a lift kit?

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