245/75/16 or 235/75/16 Tires after a 2" lift?

[vlad588]

I just installed a 2" BDS lift kit (springs and shocks) on my 03 Liberty, and now I'm trying to decide which tires to get. I'm looking at 235/75/16 Cooper AT3 or 245/75/16 General Grabber AT2 on stock rims. I cannot decide because 235/75/16 requires no modification and guaranteed not to rub but only gives me .5" ride height increase over stock. I would prefer to get 245/75/16 cause it gives a bigger lift but seems like problems start to arise at this tire size. So my question is how much more mods will I have to do to accommodate this size? I'm guessing i'll have to pound a pinch weld, am I also going to need 1.25" spacers to clear upper control arm, also do I only get spacer for the front or will the back need them as well? And what about front of the wheel well is that going to have to be trimmed as well? And in the end do you think 245/75/16 worth all that work over 235/75/16?

 

[tommudd]

I just installed a 2" BDS lift kit (springs and shocks) on my 03 Liberty, and now I'm trying to decide which tires to get. I'm looking at 235/75/16 Cooper AT3 or 245/75/16 General Grabber AT2 on stock rims. I cannot decide because 235/75/16 requires no modification and guaranteed not to rub but only gives me .5" ride height increase over stock. I would prefer to get 245/75/16 cause it gives a bigger lift but seems like problems start to arise at this tire size. So my question is how much more mods will I have to do to accommodate this size? I'm guessing i'll have to pound a pinch weld, am I also going to need 1.25" spacers to clear upper control arm, also do I only get spacer for the front or will the back need them as well? And what about front of the wheel well is that going to have to be trimmed as well? And in the end do you think 245/75/16 worth all that work over 235/75/16?

Sorry about the BDS lift
Are you regearing? If not stick with 235-75-16s , will lose less power and gas mileage
Would never run spacers

 

[Myke]

Like Tom said, sorry to hear about the bds lift

You shouldn't need spacers with those tires. I run spacers on all 4 but that's because I wanted the additional stability offroad, and I like the looks. They were way cheaper then new wheels but if/when I get new wheels I will just get wheels with the correct backspacing.

The difference is very small between the two. I always suggest go for the larger of the two or you'll end up regretting it down the road. Pounding in the pinch seam is easy. You can always add a clevis lift or a top plate if you need another 1/2"-1" of lift. Just make sure you get the correct bump stops.

You also shouldn't rub on the uca but I would advise getting JBA upper arms so you can get a rebuildable upper balljoint and get better alignment specs.

 

[kejobe]

Should be clear of the UCA without spacers. I'm running 265/70/16's on stock wheels with no spacers and clear it.

 

[JasonJ]

Should be clear of the UCA without spacers. I'm running 265/70/16's on stock wheels with no spacers and clear it.

Did you regear at all? If not, how does it drive on those tires/lift with the stock 3.73s?