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Tire Size
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Author:  Jimbob [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 4:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Tire Size

I am having a hell of a time finding tires, after running LT tires for 40k I know they are out way to heavy and they have fickle handling characteristics.

Run the number for sams and all they have is the Rugged Trail LT at $168 in 225/70/R16

Is there any reason a 235/75/R16 (many more options) wouldnt work I know it was a factory size on some liberties.

Author:  geordi [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 4:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

That is both wider AND taller, so it might be getting on to the larger end of the fitment. But at the same time, check your sources. Sams Club / Costco / most any national chain place are going to have one big problem: They get their information from a book written by gun-shy lawyers. They won't accept ANYTHING that isn't officially in their book. Your best bet is to try and find a smaller chain, even some regional chains will actually HELP YOU fit something-other-than-the-OEM-tire where Costco et al won't.

My next set of shoes (in quite a while yet) will probably still be LT, but I'm looking into other brands than BF Goodrich right now to see what the weights are like. I really like the way these Commercial TA Traction tires are and look... But they are some HEAVY monsters.

When I was getting them installed, the tire shop had a stack of extremely narrow looking Goodyear LT tires. I was shocked to find they were sized at 215/85/16, just like the ones that I was getting. I could have sworn that those GoodYear tires looked to be a full inch narrower, and they felt a lot lighter. I wish I had poked at the sidewall to know if they were as mushy as the stock bad choice our CRDs came with.

Maybe look at TireRack.com for info, or check out the tire section on this forum for info on what other people have shoved under their fenders?

Author:  Jimbob [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

geordi wrote:
That is both wider AND taller, so it might be getting on to the larger end of the fitment. But at the same time, check your sources. Sams Club / Costco / most any national chain place are going to have one big problem: They get their information from a book written by gun-shy lawyers. They won't accept ANYTHING that isn't officially in their book. Your best bet is to try and find a smaller chain, even some regional chains will actually HELP YOU fit something-other-than-the-OEM-tire where Costco et al won't.

My next set of shoes (in quite a while yet) will probably still be LT, but I'm looking into other brands than BF Goodrich right now to see what the weights are like. I really like the way these Commercial TA Traction tires are and look... But they are some HEAVY monsters.

When I was getting them installed, the tire shop had a stack of extremely narrow looking Goodyear LT tires. I was shocked to find they were sized at 215/85/16, just like the ones that I was getting. I could have sworn that those GoodYear tires looked to be a full inch narrower, and they felt a lot lighter. I wish I had poked at the sidewall to know if they were as mushy as the stock bad choice our CRDs came with.

Maybe look at TireRack.com for info, or check out the tire section on this forum for info on what other people have shoved under their fenders?


Ya I got into this before with Sams. Ordered Long Trail LT's and the door says P. They got them on and the tech started freaking out, and he wouldnt inflate them to the sidewall only what the door panel said. So I had to drive off, stop at an exon around the corner. The tires did ok, just very heavy on the suspension when they were at full tread.

I am looking for a stock liberty size, its just not a stock CRD size even though the rims are the same width and diameter.

Author:  Jimbob [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

I also got my numbers backwards

225/75/R16

or

235/70/R16

seem to fit all liberties except CRD. I ran the diameters and the only difference seems to be the 235 is slightly wider.

Author:  geordi [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

Ok, 235/70 is slightly wider than stock, but 5% shorter. That equates to very nearly the exact same size. It will fit perfectly, they probably just haven't added the "additional" sizes to their book b/c so few CRDs were actually sold.

Its like having a 2wd vehicle that shows 5 different "accepted" sizes in their book, and the 4wd or leather seat version of the SAME VEHICLE only shows the Z-rated $180 each gold-dipped model.

Like the transmission or the trim makes a difference in the running gear of the same body.

Author:  ATXKJ [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

Darby's been running 235/75/16 - stock and lifted

and you can fit a 245/70/16 stock

Author:  papaindigo [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

Jimbob I'm confused with respect to your comment on tire sizes that fit some KJs but not the KJ CRD. The OEM stock CRD tire size is 225/75R16 and that tire has a diameter on the order of 29.3". The 235/70R16 has a diameter of 29" and the 245/70R16 has a diameter of 29.5". I think the respective widths for these 3 sizes are 8.8", 9.3" and 9.8". The 235/70R16 will fit a stock, no lift, CRD and the 245/70R16 should fit a stock CRD although it may be close on clearing the pinch welds.

Author:  Jimbob [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 9:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

papaindigo wrote:
Jimbob I'm confused with respect to your comment on tire sizes that fit some KJs but not the KJ CRD. The OEM stock CRD tire size is 225/75R16 and that tire has a diameter on the order of 29.3". The 235/70R16 has a diameter of 29" and the 245/70R16 has a diameter of 29.5". I think the respective widths for these 3 sizes are 8.8", 9.3" and 9.8". The 235/70R16 will fit a stock, no lift, CRD and the 245/70R16 should fit a stock CRD although it may be close on clearing the pinch welds.


Ya by the web calculator I ran:

225/75/16 = 29.3x8.9/16

235/70/16 = 29x9.3/16

This is a grocery getter so I am not hugely concerned about pushing the limits on size. Just want something that fits and can be had in 3 to 5 days on order! Also I just realized the LT tires I have are E rated, which probably explains why I wasnt happy with them.

Author:  Jimbob [ Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

Ok so 235/75R16 will work? I found a price on some decent tires in that size, that will be good enough for my grocery trips and commutes.

Author:  papaindigo [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

235/75R16 to the best of my knowledge require a lift. 235/70R16 will work.

Author:  arengant [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

Jimbob wrote:
I am having a hell of a time finding tires, after running LT tires for 40k I know they are out way to heavy and they have fickle handling characteristics.

Run the number for sams and all they have is the Rugged Trail LT at $168 in 225/70/R16

Is there any reason a 235/75/R16 (many more options) wouldnt work I know it was a factory size on some liberties.



The previous owner installed this size, and I love them! Fit with no rubbing stock, lifted it and they rubbed a little

Author:  arengant [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

Oh yeah, I have the BFG Long trai tourl, XL rated, so stronger but not a full LT tire.

Author:  jinstall [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

235/70/16 is OEM size on all Liberty's in Europe. I have been running 245/70/16 on stock rims and lift for many years with no issues. I currently run 245/70/16 on 8X16 wheels and a 1.5" lift. Still no issues.

Author:  ATXKJ [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 3:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

Okay - to repeat myself - Darby ran 235/75/16 stock - he later added the OME springs but that was 6 ~ 12 months after he was running the 235/75's.
(mentioned here linky - and yes we really do have a Tire/Wheel section on the forum)

caveats - his springs were new - anything now has 5-6 years of spring sagging
also the part that rubs is the tread - and that can vary significantly among the 'same' size tires - the 235/ 245 part is the section width - only about 1/2 the companies even list a tread width and it can vary 1/2" or more.

Author:  OldSkull [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 4:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

235/70/16 is the OEM size for "Renegade" edition KJ they fit perfectly well on your 7" rims.

You have many choice in stock size for grocery getter,Your best bet is AT tires, Kumho SAT KL61/AT KL78 are a good exemple.

Tires rack survey may help you making a choice: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=ORAT

Author:  arengant [ Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

OldSkull wrote:
235/70/16 is the OEM size for "Renegade" edition KJ they fit perfectly well on your 7" rims.

You have many choice in stock size for grocery getter,Your best bet is AT tires, Kumho SAT KL61/AT KL78 are a good exemple.

Tires rack survey may help you making a choice: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=ORAT


x2 on the Kumho, that or firestone AT

again, even with 70K on stock suspension, I fit 235/75r16 on my crd (the long trails are close to an AT, but I don't know if a MT 235/75 would fit with a different tread pattern)

Author:  Radman [ Wed Sep 07, 2011 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

Im running 245/65/17 summer
and 245/70/16 winter both stock wheels and no lift. No rubbing.
Highly recommend the bigger size, better handling and looks.

Author:  Sir Sam [ Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

245/70/16 fit stock and are a popular and common size.

245/75/16 are much more common but may not fit stock depending on the tire.

Author:  geordi [ Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

arengant wrote:
OldSkull wrote:
235/70/16 is the OEM size for "Renegade" edition KJ they fit perfectly well on your 7" rims.

You have many choice in stock size for grocery getter,Your best bet is AT tires, Kumho SAT KL61/AT KL78 are a good exemple.

Tires rack survey may help you making a choice: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=ORAT


x2 on the Kumho, that or firestone AT

again, even with 70K on stock suspension, I fit 235/75r16 on my crd (the long trails are close to an AT, but I don't know if a MT 235/75 would fit with a different tread pattern)


I don't know much about the Kumho, but I'd stay away from the FailureProne AT, ditto for their other brand BlowoutProne. (Bridgestone / Firestone) I've had nothing but bad luck in the past from those and from Michelins. Had 6 michelins on 2 different cars ALL develop tread surface bubbles within 6 months of each other, and they had been bought at different times from 2 different shops.

Thought the quality control was better now, got a set of 4 on my Grand Cherokee... Am currently giving up on the last 2 that are still installed on it, as with roughly HALF their tread still available... 2 have had catastrophic failures in the last 2 trips from South Florida to Savannah in the last 6 weeks. Garbage tires.

The BF Goodrich tires... I've got nothing but GOOD things to say about them. Got MORE than the rated mileage from them, great performance and grip right up to the last day where they were at the markers in VERY marginal road conditions, but they held on until I hit a patch of black ice and ate a snowbank sideways. No damage, no foul. Switched to the Commercial T/A Traction style (got them studded and pulled the studs manually later) and they were FANTASTIC for grip. Snow? What snow?

Still running them a year later, 35k miles in, and it still seems like I can sink a finger into the tread to the second knuckle. Mud, snow, wet road... These things just won't let go.

Only downside I can see is the weight - They are like 38 lbs each. Oof. At the same time, that is a lot of performance that weaker tires just can't match.

Author:  jinstall [ Wed Sep 07, 2011 9:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tire Size

I have been running Kumho 798's since 2006, hae gotten me everywhere I need to go. Since they are no longer available, I just ordered yesterday KL61 to try.

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