Can anyone explain why you need 2" lift to fit a 245/75-16 tire?

This tire is only 1.5" larger in diameter than stock, so the radius is only 0.75" larger. I would think 1" lift is more than enough.
Moreover, I read only rubbing problems at 3 and 9 o'clock (against the pinch weld and the front of the fender), not at 12 o'clock. So I don't see how more lift is going to help.

Please enlighten me....

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KJ 2.8 CRD auto 2005
Cherokee (France)
OME shocks, King Springs +2"
Mopar skid plates (3x)

That is a good question and I don't believe you do need that much lift to fit that tire. Trimming and/or pounding will most likely be necessary, lifted 1.5" or 3.0".

the problem is not just the OD but also the width and the tires relation inside to out side
look at it like this take side A as being the out side and side B as the inside F is fro nt and R is rear
----F-
A>| |<B
----R-
If you draw a line from the corner of A/F to the corner of B/R that is where the problem comes in as you go up in width you gain on that line as well as going up in OD you gain some where lies a magic number that I dont know what it is
lift will help but only to a point then you will not be able to over come any more this is why 265/75's are the limit and that is a push

I think that the perfect tire would be 31"-32" od and a 8" width then all you would need is ~1" of lift

and also if you go to big on the OD you will get rub at "12 o'clock unless you extend the bump stops

also keep in mind that for every 1" of tire OD you only gain .5" at the bell
a 225/75 is ~29.5" od and fits stock a 245/75 is ~30.5" so a gain of only .5" at the bell wich is the size of the "5" key on your key board
go look at your jeep and then look at just the 5 key and think about it

the good news is that with IFS a 2" lift will give you 2" at the front bell even with stock tires if you drive a rubi and want to gain 2" at the bell you would need to go from 31's to 35's ,you need 4" of tire to get that wich also means you need 5" of lift
I know thats only the front but every bit helps and thats 1/2 the "low hanging fruit"

Well put. I will add that my 235/85r16's are 32" OD (and 9" section width), and one of them slightly rubs the engine bay pinch weld at full steering lock (yeah, only the one side, but DCX never promised perfection ). So, even though the 32 looks great in the wheel well, and is only 1.5" larger to the front and rear, when turned the outside edge of the either front tire goes all the way to the bumper (the mechanic had to do a 3 point turn to do a 90 degree turn out of the bay before I trimmed the front dam! He was afraid he was going to pop the bumper off!).

Now what Jason didn't bring up is stuffing. So your tire may fit fine in the parking lot, but come down off a rock (or a speed bump) and that tire is now a few inches further up in the well and rubbing with lots of stuff if it's too big. That might not be a problem, or it could rip off a bumper, pop the fender flares, etc.

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My opinions & advice are taken at your own risk.
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2002 Patriot Blue KJ - Coming soon!
2006 Black LJ (Wrangler Unlimited), auto, custom skids, 3.5" Rubicon Express, Aussie D30, Rocker Guards & Cooper AT3 235x85r16
2009 Patriot Blue D2500, 5.7L Hemi, 4x4, Quad Cab
1967 Alberg 37' Masthead rigged Sloop