Goodbye Goodyears, Hello Grabbers w/ Spidertrax!

scarletbegonias · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:02 pm

I got my new 245/70/16 General Grabber AT2 tires and 1.25" Spidertrax Wheel Spacers installed yesterday. (I can't take credit for the install tho..I don't have the space or tools here so I took it to a local pro friend of mine so they could properly install and balance the tires and put on the wheel spacers with correct torquing and tons of loctite) ..they did a great job! The guys that installed the wheel spacers where blown away with their design in comparision the other 'spacers' on the market, and so much so that Spidertrax the only brand that they'll be promoting from now on.

The new setup looks awesome.. and in combination with the Spidertrax wheel spacers, I could feel the difference immediately. The aggressive stance gives it a much more stable feel when turning corners..no-more top-heavy feeling at all..also a softer, significantly less-rigid ride AND feels like it lifted an inch or so. The 20-30 mph tire hum concern I've heard so much about isn't nearly as loud as I thought it would be either and I was REALLY focused on listening to that too, so when you don't pay attention to it I'm sure you can't even hear 'em! And a final bonus.. this setup gives my reny a whole new mean look (actually I always thought those badyears where way too small and I'm surprised these 245 size tires didn't come stock on this model.) Anyway, tons of pics below!

p.s... 245/70s "DO" in fact rub on a stock setup! At least mine anyway..KJs may vary, but mine definetly rubbed quite a bit, so included in the pics below is a closeup shot of the trimming done to the front and back of the front fender wells. They also had to pound down the pinch weld in the back. They wanted to grind it down but I advised against it and they later agreed with me on that one.. so it's pounded down as far as possible but at full lock in reverse it tickles the pinch weld..the back should fully clear after a little wear on the treads tho :wink:

It feels so good to get my first major mod :wink:

Hopefully we get snow on Saturday here in jersey so I can test out the new tires..
enjoy the pics (Oh, and don't worry, the spare tire cover is coming off this weekend, it doesn't fit well around the larger tire anyway)

before............................................................... after............................

before................................................... after............................

(the necessary trimming of the front & rear of the front fenders)

Boostedxt · **Joined:** Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:58 pm **Posts:** 348

sick...I want some...lol

Where did you get them??? If you dont line me asking...
joe

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:31 pm

Way to go, Scarlet!!! Looking good.

YES, my 245/70R16 Destination ATs also rubbed (both stock and with a Rusty's 2.5" suspension lift with a 3 conduit locking nut clevis lift) on the OME steel wheels.

My Spidertrax Wheel Spacers are in the mail.

I can't wait to get mine on now!!! ;-)

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:38 pm

very nice!! now get some mud on 'em!!

now don't be surprised when you see a difference in your gas mileage though....but its totally worth it.

Albert · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:55 pm

What a difference....the pic's really show it.

Nice Jeep.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:41 pm

Looks GREAT.

I did a simlar thing with my XJ years ago and loved it. The only thing that nobody tells you about wheel spacers or even wheels that the offset pushes yout rubber out a little is the effect it has on your side mirrors. The spray off the front tires on rainy days will throw it up onto your side mirrors and really mess them up.

I found out about that the hard way. not a big issue but a result of the wider stance.

Enjoy it it looks GRAET, oops said that already, soory.

renegadekj · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:29 pm

Looks great! Everyone likes the black Rene's.. good choice. The tires and sapcers made it look alot better now to take those side steps and toss them in the dump! :lol:

Thats what i did and never looked back!

*Hard to believe it rubed that much.My rene is a 03' same as yours and i ran 235/75/16's for months prior to a lift without any rub!And they are a tad taller then yours.Amazing how the KJ's vary so much!

Josh

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:06 pm

Much, much better. Congrats!

Terry

kjmurphy · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:32 pm

That looks AMAZING!! and to think that my tires will need replacing in a couple months....i may have to get some spacers after all

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:01 pm

kjmurphy wrote:

That looks AMAZING!! and to think that my tires will need replacing in a couple months....i may have to get some spacers after all

We should see if we can get a group buy on the spacers!

itsajeepthing · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:10 am

congrats man, with the new rubber, and the spacer pushing things out a bit, that looks really great. Makes me want to get some spacers. I' be in on a group buy for sure. Can these things be put on yourself, or does is require special tools / skills?

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:38 am

looks awesome!.. the different between spacers and not spacers is night and day!... i wouldnt give mine for the world. no special tools required to install the spacers.. just a tq. wrench and socket just like normal wheels. now you just need a lift and your good to go!

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:40 am

If I were to get spacers right now with factor rims, and later I decided to buy an aftermarket wheel with additional backspacing (example: MOABS), would I have too much backspace between the two? At this point, wouldn't my tires be hitting the fenders?

kjmurphy · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:31 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

kjmurphy wrote:

That looks AMAZING!! and to think that my tires will need replacing in a couple months....i may have to get some spacers after all

We should see if we can get a group buy on the spacers!

I might just want one pair. I'm not sure, but isn't the wheelbase in the front wider than the back?? kinda looks like it in the pics. But if they're the same then i'd be looking for two sets.

Pote · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:44 pm

Yours rub ONLY because of the spacers. Most everyone run 245/70s unlifted without ANY rub....the spacers are doing it not the tires.

Your rig looks awesome man...very nice.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2008 3:26 pm

Pote wrote:

Yours rub ONLY because of the spacers. Most everyone run 245/70s unlifted without ANY rub....the spacers are doing it not the tires.

Your rig looks awesome man...very nice.

Xs two on above, spacers do really change the looks for sure!!! first those tires are a little wider in tread than most ans second most run the 245-70X16s without spacers so they have no problems at all.

Diesel...if you get spacers and use them with say MOabs or anything with a 5 inch backspacing it will hit, rub, everything you dont want it to do. If in the near future you think you may go to different wheels I would advise against getting spacers now, just save the money. IMHO !! :wink:

Tom

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:10 pm

tommudd wrote:

Diesel...if you get spacers and use them with say MOabs or anything with a 5 inch backspacing it will hit, rub, everything you dont want it to do. If in the near future you think you may go to different wheels I would advise against getting spacers now, just save the money. IMHO !! :wink:

Tom

Thanks Tom, I guess I will have to think a little harder!

jeepmedic · **Posted:** Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:16 pm

Looks great !!

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:55 am

scarletbegonias wrote:

p.s... 245/70s "DO" in fact rub on a stock setup! At least mine anyway..KJs may vary, but mine definetly rubbed quite a bit,

Of course they rub...you added 1.25" spacers to each side and increased the arc the tire/wheel travels. Looks good!

CD · **Posted:** Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:29 am

Looks great, how goods the feel & handling after getting a wider stance. Just wait till you take it off road, you'll notice it even more.

Goodbye Goodyears, Hello Grabbers w/ Spidertrax!

Who is online