Rubi Rims, offset problem, what size tire on stock unlifted?

padrino · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:33 pm

Enough bragging of bagging my Rubi rims for $250 for all five. Now I have to make them work!!

Just back from the tire shop and fitting 255/70/16's and 245/70/16's to the rims on an unlifted, stock '05 gasser 4x4 KJ. The 255's just rubboed all around. Just way too much tire! The 245's, although workable with the stock rims, rubs when the steeringwheel is turned. Rubs on the metal body seam at the rear of the wheelwell just enough that it would be safest to bend the seam over as others have done. Just I don't want to bend this seam.

Does anyone out there have any suggestions, other than sell my Rubi rims for a nifty profit??????????? What size tires has someone run on such a stock suspension with Rubi rims?

By the way, with the offset, the wheels fit the wheelwell so much better...visually. From outside of the fender inward. Looks are really great, stance is just that much wider, but then so is the wheel turning in the arch and thus the rubbing.

Padrino :oops:

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:40 pm

I don't think anyone tried these unlifted before you. If it were me, I'd save em until I was lifted. $250 is a once in a lifetime deal.

The 245/70s should work without any rubbing on your stock rims. I have no issues, and I am still unlifted. You sure they weren't 245/75s you tried?

padrino · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 3:59 pm

Thanks Pixeldzn. They were definately 245/70's.

I'm not going to be able/allowed to do a lift due to wife issues, therefore need to find a tire to fit (255/65/16's????) or get rid of the rims. Got to tell you, these things really do give the KJ a new look. Not bling or anything like that but really look good.

Padrino :cry:

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:24 pm

padrino wrote:

Thanks Pixeldzn. They were definately 245/70's.

I'm not going to be able/allowed to do a lift due to wife issues, therefore need to find a tire to fit (255/65/16's????) or get rid of the rims. Got to tell you, these things really do give the KJ a new look. Not bling or anything like that but really look good.

Padrino :cry:

eh, you'll talk her into the lift. They really aren't that agressive looking. Should meet wife approval if you work it right.

padrino · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 4:57 pm

sounds simple enough...convince the wife. She's an attorney, I'm just a lowly architect. Guess I could always draw her a picture :lol:

Padrino

Guyute1210 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:13 pm

Show her a couple pictures of liberties lifted and unlifted and ask her to point out the lifted ones. She shouldn't really be able to tell, if you pick newer vehicles or ones that aren't visibly trail rigs. That might help convince her that the lift is not that bad.

krazz1e · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:29 pm

i get rub at full lock (turn) on my 245/75/16 at's lifted!

245/70/16 fits good on a stock suspension, looks good after a lift too so my vote goes for that size.

padrino · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:50 pm

Just answered my own inquiry. Spent an hour searching out a used tire shop that had a variety of used tires (can't mount a new one as when you mount it, you bought it according to about 3 shops locally).

They shoed me up with 255/70/16's, 245/70/16's, 235/70/16's and 255/65/16's. ONLY ONE that would fit and not rub was the 255/65/16's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These 255/65's are within .2 inches diameter of the original 225/75/16 Badyears that came with it, just a bunch wider. Even with the Rubi rims offset difference they still clear the wheelwell by a slim margin, but enough so I don't have to do any mod's.

Unfortunately, Bridgestone Revo's (first tire of choice) don't come in 255/65/70's. So now that at least I know what will fit, I'm off to find a decent tire. Since the Revo's are off the list, I'm leaning toward the Firestone Destination LE's as I really don't do but a couple of weekends a year with some light "desert" driving in the back area of San Diego so highway tires seem to make more sense anyway. I have these Destination LE's on my '91 Cherokee and absolutely love them from a safety, noise and comfort perspective.

End of the saga.

Padrino

KJ Willy · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:29 pm

So what part of San Diego are you in? Go tothe West site and sign up for the training day.

labman1 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:34 pm

I'm running these wheels with no lift and 245/70's and get only minor very slight rubbing at full turn (usually in reverse) I'm surprised your's dont fit. Oh and the rub is on the front of the wheel well liner by the fog light door.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:58 pm

What are the wife issues? Make the KJ too high for her to get in? Afraid of tipping over? The KJ really doesn't get any higher than a full size stock pickup and I drive in the mountains and never have issues of feeling like I am going to tip. It is the driver and their driving ways, not the vehicle, that causes the tipping.

If you have someone in your area with a lifted KJ, compare them side by side and have her climb into a lifted one. We aren't talking about the huge lifts you see on Wranglers or Cherokees. Those are 4-6" and we only have a 2.5" lift. You can always get a step stool also (well, that might be more insult than help - nevermind)

Liberator · **Joined:** Sun Jul 24, 2005 3:42 am **Posts:** 397

labman1 wrote:

I'm running these wheels with no lift and 245/70's and get only minor very slight rubbing at full turn (usually in reverse) I'm surprised your's dont fit. Oh and the rub is on the front of the wheel well liner by the fog light door.

What he said.... as long as the OAD is 29.5" or less u will only get minor 'kissing' at the front fog light at full lock rev...

BTW, I hate u cuz u got such a smoking deal :twisted:

Taz · **Posted:** Fri Jan 20, 2006 8:11 am

Ok so I am a bit uninformed in this area. What if the Offset on the Rubicon rims? I assume that it is less than the stock rims, but what is the difference in inches? I have been looking at rims and would like a wider stance, also will I have more rubbing problems with less offset or less rubbing problems, I would go with a wider tire at the same time. Had not thought of the 255/65 but over an inch wider than stock and .2 in less height look like something to consider. Less than 1% difference in the spedo.

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:01 am

They make General Grabber AT2 in 255/65-16. www.tirerack.com. very reasonably priced, and an AWESOME tire for a Jeep.

padrino · **Posted:** Fri Jan 20, 2006 5:20 pm

WOW, WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!!

Got the Rubi's and the 255/65/16 Firestone Destination LE's put on. Never really realized how the Badyear ST's were really living up to the negative hype I've read from others.

The Rubi's and wider tires definately give the KJ a look that isn't overly agressive and for a "street" car I got to say it now looks like a Jeep without the BLING. The wheels fill in the wells out to the edge of the fender line so I've picked up at least 3 inches of track width, maybe more like 4 inches.

As I'm in sunny Sun Diego and get ZERO snow and do about 99% of my driving on the freeways with little offroad, these Destination LE's are definately the right choice. I have them on my '91 (real Jeep) Cherokee and find the stick on the road in our 7 days of rain a year just perfect. I did take these new tires on a bit of an offroad down a dusty trail on the way back to the office and found they're just all I need.

Nice part is I've got no rub and no lift kit so satisfied the demands of the spouse but I get the bigger, fatter tires AND my Rubicon rims. Wish I had my digital camera as I'd attached a shot or 2. Maybe over the weekend. I just want to say thank you to all for your input on my great seach.

Padrino

breakerbacker · **Joined:** Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:23 pm **Posts:** 76

Padrino,

Your post is worthless without pics! :wink:

Did your liberty have the tire pressure monitoring system? If so, how did you or they deal with this.

Thanks,

Greg

padrino · **Posted:** Fri Jan 20, 2006 6:58 pm

Hi Breakerbacker,

No pics yet. Will do this weekend and send along. Really got to admit, it looks and rides much better than I'd imagined.

Regarding the air pressure monitor, hey, this is a Jeep after all and not a Mercedes

Just got the basic Sport 4x4 V6 automatic version.

Padrino

krazz1e · **Posted:** Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:53 am

padrino wrote:

I have them on my '91 (real Jeep) Cherokee

man i don't know how i missed that turn to the mall.....

breakerbacker · **Joined:** Wed Dec 07, 2005 1:23 pm **Posts:** 76

Padrino,

Yes I know it is a Jeep, and purchased for use as such. The package that satisfied the wife, it is her vehicle after all, just so happened to have the TPMS on it.

No worries on the TPMS I found out. Dropping it off this morning to get some help with its vertically challenged stance. Tires on Monday or Tuesday and pics to follow.

Greg

padrino · **Posted:** Mon Jan 23, 2006 2:31 pm

Okay, got pics of the new shoes on the KJ. How do I attach them (the photos, not the shoes) to this e-mail???

Padrino :oops:

Rubi Rims, offset problem, what size tire on stock unlifted?

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