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Rubbing with BFG AT 235 85/16 with 2.5" lift?
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Author:  Coyotefred [ Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Rubbing with BFG AT 235 85/16 with 2.5" lift?
My '02 KJ has a build date of 1-02 (presumably pre-lowered) and I'm looking to lift it with either the 2.5" Daystar spacer lift or the Rusty's 2.5" coil suspension lift.

I'll be replacing the tires after the lift. As for size, 245 70s or 75s seem to be the most popular choices for the 2.5" lift and I'll probably go with one of those (probably Firestone Destination A/Ts in 245 75/16).

But I was also thinking about the BFG ATs in the 235 85/16 size BFG offers. This is a slightly skinnier but significantly taller (31.8" compared to around 30.5" for the 245 75s) tire that I'm thinking might be a good choice some of my sandy-mud road and snow driving ("tall and skinny" to bite down through the junk to the solid road surface below--what I see on most the ranch trucks around here).

What kind of "rubbage" can I expect from this size with the 2.5" lift? The "tire size chart" posted at the beginning of this forum says "little to major rubbing" with the 2.5" lift. Am I right to read that as meaning "major" rubbing for this size, since that size is near the top of the size range? I can live with a little rubbing but I don't want a lot.

'Also wondering whether a tire this narrow will make the KJ too "tipsy" with the 2.5" lift :shock:

'Any input appreciated--thank you
Author:  LibertyCRD [ Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well I can tell you this much. I'm running 255/70s now and they are 30.1" tall. They barely fit. The guys with 245/75s (30.7" tall) are rubbing and have to do some trimming to allow for flex, even with a lift kit. So what you are talking about is a tire that's a full 1.0" taller than that! My opinion is, you are going to rub like crazy if you put 235/85s on your KJ. Not only that, but from personal experience I can tell you that a narrow tire does NOT work better in mud and snow...but that's another story for another time.

I'd definitely stick with the 245/75s if you want max height without major trimming work to do.
Author:  Coyotefred [ Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
LibertyCRD wrote:
Well I can tell you this much. I'm running 255/70s now and they are 30.1" tall. They barely fit. The guys with 245/75s (30.7" tall) are rubbing and have to do some trimming to allow for flex, even with a lift kit. So what you are talking about is a tire that's a full 1.0" taller than that! My opinion is, you are going to rub like crazy if you put 235/85s on your KJ. Not only that, but from personal experience I can tell you that a narrow tire does NOT work better in mud and snow...but that's another story for another time.

I'd definitely stick with the 245/75s if you want max height without major trimming work to do.


That's good advice; I think it makes sense to stick with the 245/75s then.

You may be right about the mud/snow, although it probably depends on the type of mud/snow we're talking about, and what kind of base may be under it (e.g. solid road bed or more mud or grass). The farmers and ranchers around here all tend to run "tall and skinny" on their pickups, and they seem pretty no-nonsense about what works and what doesn't. But then again they're running fairly heavy rigs. 'Maybe with a relatively lighter you should be looking for more 'float'...?

Thanks for the feedback-
Author:  LibertyCRD [ Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
You are right. The reason most of those guys are running 235/85s is because the majority of the tires out there in that size have an "E" load rating, which allows them to haul heavy loads and do serious work with those tires. Also, 235/85s are generally cheaper.

Most 245/75s are not 10-ply and don't carry the "E" load rating so that's probably why you don't see them on work vehicles a lot. Although the new GM heavy duty pickups all come with 245/75s on them from the factory these days.

My buddy runs a 12.50 series tire on his truck. I used to run 10.50s on my old truck. Both were mud tires. He could go places I could never go. I struggled just to follow him. We're talking about soupy nasty mud here. The only thing I could ever figure was that his extra 2 inches of width gave him more biting and more grip than my narrow tires. It's amazing that the width of a tire can make that much difference, but it does. That's why I went with 255/70s for my new KJ. Not quite as tall, but I do have more width and more bite now and for me that works.

Good luck on whatever you decide!
Author:  PCTim [ Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Check with 1calkid on this board. He runs the 235/85's. He used to run MT's, but now runs A/T's. There is also another friend of ours that used to run the same size. Here is his.

Image

From what I know, there isn't much rubbing.

Good luck!
Author:  Coyotefred [ Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
LibertyCRD wrote:

[snip]

My buddy runs a 12.50 series tire on his truck. I used to run 10.50s on my old truck. Both were mud tires. He could go places I could never go. I struggled just to follow him. We're talking about soupy nasty mud here. The only thing I could ever figure was that his extra 2 inches of width gave him more biting and more grip than my narrow tires. It's amazing that the width of a tire can make that much difference, but it does. That's why I went with 255/70s for my new KJ. Not quite as tall, but I do have more width and more bite now and for me that works.

!


That's interesting. I suppose the same logic might apply in certain snow conditions. Anyone else have a similar experience with a 255/70 rather than a 245/75? Thanks for passing this along-
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