I have read a ton of these posts on what will/won't work, but haven't found exactly what I am looking for, so here goes.

#1 Does anyone know FOR SURE if the 15"x8" Gambler wheels off of a Wrangler will fit on a 2007 Liberty Sport? I am looking at these:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pts/833858675.html coupled with http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/pts/862871228.html

I don't have to go with these, Just like the looks of the Gamblers. If not, What aftermarket 15's fit the Liberty?

#2 I have a stock unlifted 4x2 and do not plan to do any REAL off roading (unless you count crossing the occasional median off-roading). That being the case, what is the tallest tire that I can use on the stock 16" rims. I know many have said 245/70-16(that is what I am leaning towards), but since I am not going to be off-road, could I use 245/75-16 and still be rub-free? What is the tallest tire I could use if I changed to 15's?

#3 I would like to get a little wider stance - larger offset rims I assume - Hang the wheels out a little instead of all tucked nice and neat under the fenders. Will that cause rubbing issues? What would you recommend?

TIA,
Long_Tall_Texan

#1--No they will not fit without spacers added and since you are not lifted or plan on lifting that will not work.Most steel 15" rims will clear the front brakes,Crager soft 8"s are popular and since you are not lifted stick with 15x7 rims.You can mount up to 235/75R15's if your not lifted,stay under 30" tire unless you lift your KJ.

#2 and #3--The tallest tires you can mount on a un-lifted KJ is 245/70's on stock rims,prelowered '02 KJ's can mount 245/75's from the extra 3/4" in hieght.Stay with a 7" rim width with about 4"-4.5" of backspacing or major rubbing will result.

Thanks for the info.

Any idea what backspacing the stock 16" alloy wheels on the 07 models is? I assume it is greater than 4-4.5. I guess I could spacer the stock wheelsto push them out to the 4" backspacing.

Also, Which of the 15" black rock crawlers will fit over our calipers?

The KJ's OEM rim BS is 5.5" also.

So... I think I would like to go with some new Soft 8's - 15X8. Then I am thinking about 30x9.5-15's. Do you think I could get away with that. It is only 1/2 inch bigger in diameter than the 245-70-16's that everyone says work just fine. And they are slightly narrower. 245/70-16's are 9.65 wide. Thoughts anyone? Remember, I am unlifted and don't plan to lift, nor do I plan to do offroading. Just like the wider stance and bigger tires.

Those would be the same as putting on 245/75's,with a lowered KJ(all KJ's built after april 12th 2002) will have alot of rubbing on stock rims and even more with aftermarket rims.

If your wanting 30x9.50's stick to a 15x7 rim,you will have way to much rubbing with a 8" wide rim and the 8" wide rim is to wide for a 9.50" wide tire anyway.Even with the 7" wide rim you will still have rubbing since you will be changing the BS from 5.5" stock to 4" with the Cragers.Some 235/75R15 mounted on 15x7 rims would be a much better choice with far less problems.

Where will I get the rubbing? If it is just the pinch weld, that is not a problem. I plan to bend that down flush anyway. Where else might be a rubbing problem?

By My calculations...

Stock 225/75-16
Diameter: 29.28
Width: 8.85

245/70-16 That everyone says run just fine with no mods
Diameter: 29.50
Width: 9.64

235/75-16 Several have said they run OK with little to no rubbing on lowered KJ's
Diameter: 29.87
Width: 9.25

235/75-15
Diameter: 28.87
Width: 9.25

30x9.5
Kinda obvious...

So the 30x9.5's are slightly narrower and slightly taller than the 245/70-16's. Will that small of a difference really make for a clearance issue?

The rim BS is what will cause all your problems since you want to go to 15" rims.If you go to 245/70's on the stock rims you will be fine,not so fine with aftermarket rims(more so with 8" wide rims).You will need to pound down the pinchweld and massively trim the front bumber,if you happen to flex the rear you will rip the rear fender flares off.

So how about 15x7's with 4.5 back spacing with the 30x9.5's? Or is that still going to be pushing it? I am not tied to that size tire. Just found a good deal on them and would like to take advantage of it. If not, I will spend the extra $ and go with your recommendation. Thanx!

It's really up to you since your the one that will have to live with the rubbing.It shouldn't be all that bad if you stick with a 7" wide rim and 4.5" of BS.Just trying to let you know about rubbing so you will not complain about it later.

I am running 31x10.5x15 tires with 15x8 steel wheels with 3.75" BS and I get some rub at full lock on the inside of the fender well turning. The sound is worse than the actual rubbing though because when I cut the plastic over the pinch welds, to bash them down, I cut the strip covering the pinch welds off and painted the bashed pinch weld instead of melting the plastic back in place. So because there is a gap in the plastic lining the tires catches the lining and it kind of flaps, making some noise. I need to find some plastic to melt back in the gap and it would be fine. Anyway, hope this info helps and doesn't confuse.

_________________
My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

But you have yours lifted, right? I don't and am not planning to. So I won't have as much room as you???

Thanks. That is why I asked ahead of time. Y'all have a lot more experience with it than me. Better asking ahead and making informed decisions than guessing and being sorry later.

Off topic from this one, I noticed in another thread about your Magnaflow exhaust that it looked like you had a brand new shiny exhaust flange that mated up with the stock flange behind the cat. Where did you get that flange? I can't seem to find one. I thought I had one from Summit, but when it got here, it doesn't fit. I even tried all of the local salvage yards, but they cut all of the exhaust off as soon as they arrive and send them to recycle.

Yeah, I am sitting 4" higher after the Frankenlift, so if I get rub, you will get a ton.

_________________
My Jeep Build ----> Big Black

No problem.

As far as that exhuast flange I did get it from Summit,DynoMax makes it,see link below.
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=WLK%2D51002&N=700+4294923429+4294820497+4294908280+4294905222+115&autoview=sku