Before I pull the trigger .. 255/70R16 tires?

lipz · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:55 pm **Posts:** 18

I've searched and found one lone post about 255's, but no real information about any issues. So, are there any fellow KJ owners out there is using, or has used a 255/70R16 tire with no problems, in combination with a 3" lift? Will they fit just fine and not rub so much that I cannot alleviate the problem by messaging the pinch weld, or ? I really wanting to purchase a new set of Grabber AT2's for our KJ and install the lift at the same time.

dennyb · **Joined:** Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:27 pm **Posts:** 110

I havn't tried them but for comparison my completely stock 05 CRD came with 245/70/16 continental crosscontact. These are listed at 29.5in tall and 9.5in section width on tirerack. They only rubbed on one corner of front fender openings when turning. This is on a worn 100k suspension. I'd probably try that size with only 1.5in lift and hammer pinch welds.

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2016 9:19 am

lipz wrote:

I've searched and found one lone post about 255's, but no real information about any issues. So, are there any fellow KJ owners out there is using, or has used a 255/70R16 tire with no problems, in combination with a 3" lift? Will they fit just fine and not rub so much that I cannot alleviate the problem by messaging the pinch weld, or ? I really wanting to purchase a new set of Grabber AT2's for our KJ and install the lift at the same time.

With 3 inch lift they will be fine depending on what wheels you are using , height wise though they would be OK
Pinch weld may have to be pounded over which is no big deal

lipz · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:55 pm **Posts:** 18

Stock 2004 Limited aluminum wheels.

Function > Form · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2016 12:26 pm

They will rub with stock wheels.

I have 235/85/16 on stock wheels, 3" lift also and they rub when turned to lock in both directions (when turned in, sway bar, when turned out, where the tire touches the unibody/wheel well liner). Stay off the ends of the steering travel and it's fine for this size.

The size you want is shorter, so it will fit, but is obviously wider than mine, so the best bet is go with a different set of wheels - there are tons of threads on the proper backspacing, but TJ Moab wheels are what I would get if I were in the market for new ones.

lipz · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:55 pm **Posts:** 18

Function > Form wrote:

They will rub with stock wheels.

I have 235/85/16 on stock wheels, 3" lift also and they rub when turned to lock in both directions (when turned in, sway bar, when turned out, where the tire touches the unibody/wheel well liner). Stay off the ends of the steering travel and it's fine for this size.

The size you want is shorter, so it will fit, but is obviously wider than mine, so the best bet is go with a different set of wheels - there are tons of threads on the proper backspacing, but TJ Moab wheels are what I would get if I were in the market for new ones.

I would guess that you are rubbing because a 235/85r16 is almost 32" tall! That's almost 2" taller than a 255/70r16.

Function > Form · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2016 2:45 pm

Right - I blame it on not enough coffee...now that I've had more, it might not touch the sway, but might touch the liner since they are still wider than what I have.

I wonder if your UCA will touch the tire actually. I'm not as wide as your intended tire and it's about 1/2" away, only about halfway up the height of the tire.

Sorry for the confusion. Hope it was a little helpful.

lipz · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:55 pm **Posts:** 18

Thanks Function. You got a pic of your Liberty?

Function > Form · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2016 4:59 pm

Nothing super special really.

BEFORE:

AFTER!

jeeptorino68 · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2016 5:19 pm

I have 255 70 16 general grabber at2 in the stock aluminum wheels (limited model)
They will rub even with a lift.
I have an iron man with the extra rear iso and clevis is spaced out too.
The front rub the inner fenders everywhere. At the pinch seam, at the dog light doors, the inner fender by the engine bay. It can all be trimmed and pushed away with a heat gun though. They also are reallllllly close to the a arms in the front and shocks in the back. I can't run tire chains they are that close.
Otherwise I love the size, stance, and look

lipz · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:55 pm **Posts:** 18

jeeptorino68 wrote:

I have 255 70 16 general grabber at2 in the stock aluminum wheels (limited model)
They will rub even with a lift.
I have an iron man with the extra rear iso and clevis is spaced out too.
The front rub the inner fenders everywhere. At the pinch seam, at the dog light doors, the inner fender by the engine bay. It can all be trimmed and pushed away with a heat gun though. They also are reallllllly close to the a arms in the front and shocks in the back. I can't run tire chains they are that close.
Otherwise I love the size, stance, and look

Well it sounds like you have exactly what I want to see! Post a profile pic for me if you can. I can tell from Function's pics above, those 235/85's are waaay too fat/tall for me.

Function > Form wrote:

Nothing super special really.

Thanks for the pics Function. They help with my decision. Those fenderwells are too full for me! What size were on in your "Before" pic?

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2016 1:41 am

jeeptorino68 wrote:

I have 255 70 16 general grabber at2 in the stock aluminum wheels (limited model)
They will rub even with a lift.
I have an iron man with the extra rear iso and clevis is spaced out too.
The front rub the inner fenders everywhere. At the pinch seam, at the dog light doors, the inner fender by the engine bay. It can all be trimmed and pushed away with a heat gun though. They also are reallllllly close to the a arms in the front and shocks in the back. I can't run tire chains they are that close.
Otherwise I love the size, stance, and look

255-70s rub?
How much real lift did you get? Which Ironman springs did you use.
If the HD should of gotten 2.25 inches over new stock height
On my recent build 265-70-16s are going on with 2.5 inches of lift and no rubbing

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2016 1:43 am

32s and 4 plus inches of lift , plenty of room

10 years ago ( 2006 ) with about 3 inches of lift and 255-70-16s on Moab wheels no rubbing

Function > Form · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2016 12:55 pm

tommudd wrote:

jeeptorino68 wrote:

I have 255 70 16 general grabber at2 in the stock aluminum wheels (limited model)
They will rub even with a lift.
I have an iron man with the extra rear iso and clevis is spaced out too.
The front rub the inner fenders everywhere. At the pinch seam, at the dog light doors, the inner fender by the engine bay. It can all be trimmed and pushed away with a heat gun though. They also are reallllllly close to the a arms in the front and shocks in the back. I can't run tire chains they are that close.
Otherwise I love the size, stance, and look

255-70s rub?
How much real lift did you get? Which Ironman springs did you use.
If the HD should of gotten 2.25 inches over new stock height
On my recent build 265-70-16s are going on with 2.5 inches of lift and no rubbing

Yeah but you have moabs, Tom. He's on stockers.

lipz wrote:

Well it sounds like you have exactly what I want to see! Post a profile pic for me if you can. I can tell from Function's pics above, those 235/85's are waaay too fat/tall for me.

Function > Form wrote:

Nothing super special really.

Thanks for the pics Function. They help with my decision. Those fenderwells are too full for me! What size were on in your "Before" pic?

Haha - to each their own, right?

You're welcome!

The first pic was stock size - 235/70/16 grabbers.

lipz · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:55 pm **Posts:** 18

One last question... Did you have a noticeable decrease in power after installing 255/70r16 ?
My #1 priority is to keep it safe for my wife to drive everyday. I also don't want to cause unessessary stress in the tranny.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Mar 12, 2016 12:47 am

Any larger you will notice some
On my 04 I ran 245-70-16s, 255-70-16s, 245-75-16s, 265-70-16s and 265-75-16s
Up to 255s it wasn't too bad, on up from there you start noticing it more
Also weight of the tire is also something to consider
I tired a set of 245-75-16s that were 10 ply and were a heavy duty mud tire for a couple of days, starting and stopping was completely differemt than the 245-75-16s I ran for a while which were a 6 ply
I try to run P rated , lighter and do the job for me

lipz · **Joined:** Mon Jan 25, 2016 1:55 pm **Posts:** 18

Thanks Tom. That's good news. I've decided to go with Grabber At2's, and the 255/70r16's are rated "SL", which is a passenger tire. Should be light weight for an All-terrain tire.

jeeptorino68 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2016 7:55 pm

lipz wrote:

jeeptorino68 wrote:

I have 255 70 16 general grabber at2 in the stock aluminum wheels (limited model)
They will rub even with a lift.
I have an iron man with the extra rear iso and clevis is spaced out too.
The front rub the inner fenders everywhere. At the pinch seam, at the dog light doors, the inner fender by the engine bay. It can all be trimmed and pushed away with a heat gun though. They also are reallllllly close to the a arms in the front and shocks in the back. I can't run tire chains they are that close.
Otherwise I love the size, stance, and look

Well it sounds like you have exactly what I want to see! Post a profile pic for me if you can. I can tell from Function's pics above, those 235/85's are waaay too fat/tall for me.

Function > Form wrote:

Nothing super special really.

Thanks for the pics Function. They help with my decision. Those fenderwells are too full for me! What size were on in your "Before" pic?

here are some pictures.

jeeptorino68 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2016 7:58 pm

tommudd wrote:

jeeptorino68 wrote:

I have 255 70 16 general grabber at2 in the stock aluminum wheels (limited model)
They will rub even with a lift.
I have an iron man with the extra rear iso and clevis is spaced out too.
The front rub the inner fenders everywhere. At the pinch seam, at the dog light doors, the inner fender by the engine bay. It can all be trimmed and pushed away with a heat gun though. They also are reallllllly close to the a arms in the front and shocks in the back. I can't run tire chains they are that close.
Otherwise I love the size, stance, and look

255-70s rub?
How much real lift did you get? Which Ironman springs did you use.
If the HD should of gotten 2.25 inches over new stock height
On my recent build 265-70-16s are going on with 2.5 inches of lift and no rubbing

im at 21 inches from center of wheel to bottom of flare in front, 21 3/4 in the back.
stock measurements are 18 and 18.5 right?
the kit was used, but lightly, i also have the clevis down about 3/16 of an inch, and an extra rear iso.

really only the front rubbed at full lock, barely on the upper arms, and then of course on the inner fender at the pinch seam, i just alleviated the pinch seam issue though. so that is better.

jeeptorino68 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 19, 2016 8:00 pm

lipz wrote:

One last question... Did you have a noticeable decrease in power after installing 255/70r16 ?
My #1 priority is to keep it safe for my wife to drive everyday. I also don't want to cause unessessary stress in the tranny.

not much drop in power, but there is some.
this is my wifes DD, and i have no reservations with it being that, especially after the lift, the stock springs were so mushy, the jeep felt sloppy, the ironman kit and new tires made a huge difference.
no stress on the tranny, if you have a 45RFE i reccomend the sonnax line pressure booster to help save your clutches.

Before I pull the trigger .. 255/70R16 tires?

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