Will upgrading from a 235 to a 245 give more ground clearanc

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:04 pm

Hi, I'm a newbe to 4x4. i just purchased a 2003 KJ Renegade with the running boards. I currently have the stock good year SR-A's which I already hate (poor rain performance). Anyhow, Will upgrading a size "245"
give me anymor ground clearance or should i stick with the 235 stock size. I wanted to go with the Perilli scorpion At's. How many sizes up can i go without rubbing and compromising street highway performance(roll/lean/tipping). Any comments will be helpful. thanks in advance ,Mattymac

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:15 pm

The stock tire is 29" in diameter (14.5" radius)

The 245/75/16 tire may vary depending on the brand and model but most are 30.5-31" which gives it a 15-15.5" radius.

You will get about 1" in clearance with the 245's.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:21 pm

I would think that a better way to increase clearance would be to lose the runningboards :-P

But if you are getting new tires anyway, there's no reason not to go one size higher

Spike6901 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:29 pm

If you are stock, stay at 245/70-16 max.

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:34 pm

Hi, thanks for the input! are the running boards a B!@tch to remove or just a few bolts.i havn't even looked yet. I just picked this jeep up on Saturday?

priell3 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 2:58 pm

My Renegade side steps go on and off several times a year. A 13mm socket is all you need. Remove the steps first (2 bolts on each end), then remove the 4 brackets (4 bolts each). It doesn't take very long to do, just make sure you put all of the bolts in a sealed bag so you have them when you want to put them back on. You might want to mark the brackets left, right, front, rear so you know where they go when you replace them.

Mine come off when I trail ride or when I expect to go any place "unpaved". Back on so the family can get in and out easier now that I have a lift. :lol:

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:13 pm

Hi, I hear that. my very pregnant wife seems to realy like them right now. People seem to make fun of the light bar on top but I find it to be very functional. i went out into some sand pits last night at dusk and they worked great.Maybe they are just jealous..thanks man! Matty

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:14 pm

P.S Does it make that much of a difference taking them off? clearance wise?

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:19 pm

I went on a Paragon ride for my first off road experience. (last car was a Camaro and I used to bottom out on my driveway!) Anyway, I was advised to remove the side steps. I did (in less than 30 mins) and boy was I glad!!

I think, If I recall correctly, that they are factory stamped R or L.

One of the guys we went with didn't and ended up coming home with one bungied to his roof rack. And it wasn't removed w/tools!!
:oops:

Not only do the steps hang down about 3 inches but the brackets under them hang down much lower... You WILL tear them off!

I have a video from that trip I can email you!

priell3 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:22 pm

The lightbar is great. I use it on forest roads at night when on vacation.

Even come in handy when extra light is needed on an outdoor project or when the power fails! :wink:

Removing the steps gains about 3 inches on both sides. They will snag branches or bang rocks and debris when off road. One of mine has the scars to prove it.

Cacher123 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:25 pm

OK, I will admit (shhh, don't tell my g/f!) that the light bar was like THE single factor that got me to buy it! :oops:

WV(0)IIIIIII(0) · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 3:52 pm

Cacher123 wrote:

OK, I will admit (shhh, don't tell my g/f!) that the light bar was like THE single factor that got me to buy it! :oops:

I will second that. Ez removal of side steps: step 1 Go offroad: no more steps required :lol:

Calvin56 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:59 am **Posts:** 345

You'd be amazed at how much less scraping that 1" will grant you... on the same trail

And I really do like my light bar, even if it does look a little cheezy. Someday, when I get more money I'll attach some lights to a good basket.

kevh · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 9:50 pm

plus, if you com down hard enough on the side step to push it up, it cuold do some pretty serious damage to the tub (body)

many tj owners have found out (the hard way) how much damage those crappy plastic steps can do to the tub

Calvin56 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 08, 2005 1:59 am **Posts:** 345

Also, if you go offroad around rocks- I'd stay away from the Scorpions- I'm liking them a little less now- they really take a beating on the trail.

jpzkj · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:30 pm

Remember that you have to divide the difference in height between these two tires in HALF.

Half of that difference is on the ground...and the other half is in the wheel well doing nothing. :roll:

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:34 pm

MattyMac,

Check each model for it's diameter so you don't get one too big. If you were to get 245/75/16's in KO's, Revo's, MTR's, STT's, etc, you will find that their diamters vary. This will mean a difference in the amount of rubbing you will have on the wheel well. Small mods to the wheeel well will be needed.

KaJunKJ · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 4:55 am

um, i dont think just going to a 245 from a 235 will make that much difference. i have worked at tire shops for about 3 years and the difference in hieght from one to the other is about maybe a half inch. And even though he has an 03 model, which is a "lowered" libby, that half inch (or even an inch for that matter) shouldn't make him rub, unless of course he decides to go with some really thick gripped mudders. as far as ground clearance goes, dont expect to get enough to make a difference there either. Lets just say you get an inch difference in the diameter, once you factor in the weight of the libby sitting on them, your only talking about maybe 1/4" to 1/2" of lift from the tires. And thats on a good day.

If you want some ground clearance, lift it.

PCTim · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:33 am

MattyMac,
I went from my stock 215/75's to a 245/70 Revo. The difference is 1 inch taller and 1 inch wider. That being said, I gained about a 1/2 inch. That is absolutley the largest size you can go with, without a lft.

BTW, what part of MA are you from?

MattyMac1 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:23 am

Hi, I'm from the South Shore in Rockland..A few towns down Rt.3 from the Braintree split. I'm thinking of going down to the Plymouth power lines to see if there are any entrances for trucks. I use to live right by there for a little while with a quad racer. There were mile and miles of trails,hills,packed and soft sand. forrest trails andy sort of surface you can imagine. It eventually merges into Myles Standish Forrest which I know is a nono for 4x4's now. I'll let you know if its worth going to.For right now I've benn going to some sand pits in Hanover. I also heard there are some long, wide good traqils in brockton of all places. I'll update you guys as i go out to these places. Thanks for the input!. -Matty

Will upgrading from a 235 to a 245 give more ground clearanc

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