Maximum tire size?

HIKJ · **Posted:** Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:51 pm

With (as it looks from photo's) the infamous KJ pinchweld gone on the new KK, how much room is there in the wheel wells to upsize the tires?
Would any of the new owners be so kind to measure the free space between the standard tire and the wheel well, in the different steering positions?

_UnLiMiTeD_ · **Posted:** Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:21 am

wont be any bigger, maybe even smaller because i dont see that bumper being very easy to trim to get a bigger tire in but i could be wrong, i dont think anyone has tried a big tire in it yet

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:10 pm

Even tho KJs "can" fit close to a 32" tires (265/75/16 or 235/86/16) with a 2.5" lift and some major trimming in the wheel wells...it is not the best choice for longevity of your KK. Thust me I know based on my 2002 KJ.

I think the best choice for a KJ or KK would be the 245/75/16. It is about 30.5" and weighs less than a 265/75/16. You will also have fewer places to trim for fit and they work fine offroad. The good part for the KKs is the much improved (read stronger) front D30A in the front. Stick to a 235/75/16 (~29.85") or a 245/75/16 (~30.5") and you will be much happier in the long run. Easier on the brakes, suspension and fuel mileage too!

chefdab · **Posted:** Fri Dec 07, 2007 7:05 pm

The 245/75r16 is actually 30.468505 inches according to a metric to English conversion chart I found online. So let's just say it's 30.5 inches.

rickm · **Posted:** Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:10 am

HIKJ wrote:

With (as it looks from photo's) the infamous KJ pinchweld gone on the new KK, how much room is there in the wheel wells to upsize the tires?
Would any of the new owners be so kind to measure the free space between the standard tire and the wheel well, in the different steering positions?

I have a KK Sport. Sorry, I didn't have time to measure with different steering positions, but..

Front of the tire, about 2 inches.
Rear of the tire, about 3 inches.
Top of the tire, about 5 inches.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:06 pm

Now go get your KK twisted up and see how much room your have under full compression...

HIKJ · **Posted:** Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:55 pm

I am less interested in the room above the tire, because you can manage the vertical movement with lifting and bumpstops.
First info on space front and aft looks not bad, but I hope we will get more data on those, in the different directional positions.

I will be happy if there will be enough space to fit the 245/75-16, without hammering, cutting and trimming, while leaving 0,5" of free space to alllow for structural flexibility in the suspension.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:53 pm

When you compress, the space you ARE worried about gets smaller and when the tire is turned the arc traveled is the worry.

HIKJ · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:06 pm

DarbyWalters wrote:

When you compress, the space you ARE worried about gets smaller

You are undoubtedly correct. But for my education, could you explain this phenomenon? I would think the wheel travels more or less vertically when the spring is compressed c.q. decompressed.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2007 8:05 pm

True but it travels up to an ever decreasing void/area. Also, wheel/tire arc dictates where contact is more likely to be made. The bigger (read wider) tires will make a larger arc when turned which increases likelyhood of contact.

Take a pencil in the middle and move one end while keep ing the center stationary...say 45 degrees. Now move the pencil out (like a wider tire) and move the pencil 45 degrees with the end stationary...it will travel much farther.

Basically wider wheels with less backspacing...or wider tires even on stock rims will make a bigger arc. Taller tires will hit sooner...like a fatter pencil. Just saying that you need to fully compress the suspension and see how much room you really have under the most challenging circumstances.

In the rear you have to watch out for outside fender contact from wider tires or more backspacing.

Not saying it is a L.O.S.T. cause by any means...it just sucks when you guess something will work from basic measurements...you spend $$$...and it doesn't work.

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

If it helps............ I went this weekend and had some 265/40/22 tires put on my 08 KK.......and they did fit....but a little too close for comfort. I think with enough twisting that eventually they would rub through the plastic....and having that pinch weld back there makes me worried about tearing up the tires.

RkyMtnKJ · **Posted:** Sun Dec 09, 2007 9:57 pm

22s?

FL RENNY · **Joined:** Mon Nov 07, 2005 4:30 pm **Posts:** 458

RkyMtnKJ wrote:

22s?

I know I know.....I'm gonna hear it. But I live in Florida with perfect roads....and my offroading consists of the beach, and a few hunting trips. So other than those, and pulling a boat.......I'm not going the lifted route like I did with my Renny. I think 22's on a black will look tight. Bring on the hate :lol:

RkyMtnKJ · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:03 am

well its cool and all, i just didnt think you could stuff a 22 in there but saw it in another thread..those rims arent cheap

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:06 pm

I often look at the nitro forum to see whats going on and i found this

22x9.5 DRIV Moonshine's
+35mm offset
5x114.3 (aka 5x4.5) bolt pattern
Falken 265/35/22 tires

the guy says theres no rubbing

here is the link

http://www.nitroforumz.com/showthread.php?t=6539

HIKJ · **Posted:** Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:04 am

Diggerfreek wrote:

I often look at the nitro forum to see whats going on and i found this

22x9.5 DRIV Moonshine's
+35mm offset
5x114.3 (aka 5x4.5) bolt pattern
Falken 265/35/22 tires

the guy says theres no rubbing

here is the link

http://www.nitroforumz.com/showthread.php?t=6539

Interesting to read how this guy is waiting for a LOWERING kit. What a different world, this Nitro world.
I reckon that the Nitro wheel wells are quite different from the KK.

chefdab · **Posted:** Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:27 pm

That's equivalent to a 29" tire. That's still in the stockish range. It's just a little wider.

bob_in_IL · **Joined:** Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:22 pm **Posts:** 12

So has anyone tried a 245/70R16 that is 9.8 wide x 29.6 even a 255/70R16 that is 10.2 x 30.1? I would think that these should fit without lifts and worrying about rubbing or other modification? These are close to stock except for being a little width of the 225/75R16 of 8.8x29.3

Maximum tire size?

Who is online