Thoughts on this set up, unlifted

inklegg · **Posted:** Thu Jun 03, 2010 6:45 pm

I have read through a lot of the posts and most of the posts related to the backspacing were on lifted libertys. So here is my question.....

I have an unlifted 2003 sport and I am going to be purchasing new rims/tires next week. I am having troubles finding rims with similar backspacing to stock. I really like the Cragar soft 8's and was looking at getting 16x7 with 245/70/16's. I can only find the soft 8's with 4" backspacing. Will this cause rubbing? Or does anyone know of a rim similar to the soft 8 that comes with more of a backspace to help avoid rubbing?

Thanks for the advice.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 03, 2010 8:44 pm

You will have rub with that wheel/tire combo,not going to find OE spec'ed aftermarket rims,sorry.

Either lift it or just put new tires on the OEM rims.

inklegg · **Posted:** Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:30 pm

figured! Thanks for the reply TJKJ.

Vranes17 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:09 pm

would spacers solve his issue?

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Sun Jun 20, 2010 9:12 pm

no spacers would make it worse

kayadog · **Posted:** Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:52 pm

I have 245/70r16 General Grabber AT2's on the 16x8 cragar soft 8's (forget the BS) and they rubbed, but after I hammered the pinch welds and trimmed some of the plastic from the flares they stuff fine, with only slight rubbing when I have the Jeep overloaded. I have run this setup for 3 years and am very happy with it.

Another thought might be 235/75r16 tires. Slightly taller but also slightly narrower.

inklegg · **Posted:** Mon Jun 21, 2010 9:34 pm

kayadog, are you running that set up unlifted? If so, any pictures available?

kayadog · **Posted:** Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:00 pm

Still same set up. Pm me your email and I'll send a picture.

Pote · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:45 pm

I have a 2003 with the exact setup as Kayadog. My tires just kiss the pinch weld plastic and fog door...I dont offroad so I'm not worried about pounding down the pinch yet - though it would eliminate that rub entirely. Its the slightest rub ever. Now if I had to stuff the rears in back, it would probably rip the flare off since I'm not lifted and the Cragars stick out further with the smaller backspace, but again, not offroading here yet....its my daily driver and eats the snow and rain so I'm happy. It definitely feels more stable with the wider stance...one day, I may lift, but now its good to go.

I gotta say, the new look made me start my love affair all over with my 140K mile Libby...looks like a totally different Jeep again. I also of course turned the OWL in and it made my tires look brand new again. the OWL were all beat to heck from curbs and the insides were like new...still even had the little nubs. LOL

kayadog · **Posted:** Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:21 pm

Agreed. I never liked my KJ until I changed the wheels and tires. I just had to sand and touch up the Cragars a little, but not bad considering I drive in salt water and on heavily salted roads. The General Grabbers wear like iron too.

My tired scraped the fender flares front and back badly on road, so they had to be trimmed and the weld flattened but not a big deal.

Thoughts on this set up, unlifted

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