Can I fit 245/75?

[Atrus]

I am trying to decide if I can get some 245/75’s to fit fairly easily on my “mini-lifted” KJ. Part of the reason is I can get the 245/75 $100 cheaper than the 245/70. I plan to eventually get myself some OME springs, but I don’t want to fork out for it all right now. Plus, I'd like to get some tires on in the next few days.

If it helps, the measurements from center of wheel to flare are:
Driver Front – 19.5”
Passenger Front – 19.5”
Driver Rear – 19.75
Passenger Rear – 20.25”

Is the pinch weld the real limiter? From where it sits on the ground with my 245/70’s on it, I am roughly .75” away from the pinch weld at the closest part of the wheel arc. On the front it’s probably the same, but I think some time with a heat gun could open up more space there. Would the pinch weld work and the heat gun up front probably be sufficient?

I’ve heard that pre-lowered KJ’s can usually fit the 245/75, so my hope was that if I did a little clearance work I’d be able to as well with my small lift. I’m also not opposed to throwing a few conduit nuts on there, provided I can figure out a way to lift the rear a little bit to keep it even.

As you can imagine, I'd love to save $100 and to have the bigger tires, but the last thing I want is to spend the cash on tires and then have them be unusable.

 

[tommudd]

245-75-16 is going to be an inch taller over all, plus depending on the tread design may cause problems, end answer it is more than likely going to rub. One of the KJs I lifted with a Rustys spring lift rubs with 245-75s and hes about 1.5 to 2 inches higher than you are, ( I think hes down to about 21 inches now) We have his pinch welds pounded over , heated and reshaped his bumper and still hits every now and again.
If you only drive straight, no curbs, potholes, off camber driveways, bumps you maybe OK

 

[Atrus]

Well, damn.

OK, here's a crazy thought, and I know everyone will think it's dumb but I still have to ask....

I'm saving $100 by going bigger. What happens if I spring the extra $200-$250 for the OME springs (real cost less $100 saved) and run them with stock shocks? It's just dropping $700+ on OME/Rancho in addition to tires isn't extremely feasible to me right now. Possible, yes, feasible, no.

 

[kj924]

You might get away with that kind of set up, IF you ran Daystar upper strut plates. Somehow you need to put the stock shock back in it's normal range of travel, or you will destroy them. Just a thought.

 

[tjkj2002]

Well, damn.

OK, here's a crazy thought, and I know everyone will think it's dumb but I still have to ask....

I'm saving $100 by going bigger. What happens if I spring the extra $200-$250 for the OME springs (real cost less $100 saved) and run them with stock shocks? It's just dropping $700+ on OME/Rancho in addition to tires isn't extremely feasible to me right now. Possible, yes, feasible, no.

You will destroy the rear shocks.


By the way I drove off the dealership lot,with 3 miles on the ODO, with 245/75R16 MT/R's on(80% tread left,came off my '02 Grand I traded in) the stock rims.Mine is a pre-lowered KJ and the only rub I had was on the very bottom of the front wheel well liners,just on the insides of the foglamp bulb, and only at full lock.Only made a horrible noise in reverse,forward had no noise.Then again I had the older style front bumber so I can't say what would happen with the '05-'07 bumpers and 245/75's.

 

[Atrus]

Thanks guys....I guess it's the 245/70's again for me then.

Every other option just seems too expensive. It'd be great to have, but I can't justify it being that the last time I was offroad was February 2008 sad2.gif

 

[Boiler]

PM sent to altrus

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Thanks guys....I guess it's the 245/70's again for me then.

Every other option just seems too expensive. It'd be great to have, but I can't justify it being that the last time I was offroad was February 2008 sad2.gif

Have you thought about going for an M/T or as an agressive AT tire in a 235-70-16?
I've off roaded our kj with all season 225-70-16 tires and well, ok I had some issues, but if you don't get a chance to off road alot, a 235-70 should be more than adequate, look good, no rubbing issues, etc.
Just a thought.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

My next set I'd prefer a 235/70....

 

[Atrus]

Have you thought about going for an M/T or as an agressive AT tire in a 235-70-16?
I've off roaded our kj with all season 225-70-16 tires and well, ok I had some issues, but if you don't get a chance to off road alot, a 235-70 should be more than adequate, look good, no rubbing issues, etc.
Just a thought.

Ryan - I originally had 235/70 SR-A's on there. I went up to the 245/70 AT2's, which I want to get rid of. It kills me because other than noise I am very pleased, but I just can't stand it anymore. A good 2 hours a day in a car that gives me a headache just isn't worth it. They are still in great shape.

I think I am set on the Toyo Open Country's. What ***** is that I'd love to go 245/75 for a few reasons -1) .5" more ground clearance, 2) $100 cheaper, 3) should put my speedo closer in line to where it should be.

So, I am slightly kicking around the idea of the OME's. I have a small "fun" reserve built up. I just know that really, I don't offroad so I am kicking myself wondering if it's worth it. On the other hand, I'd know I have a good suspension and would be good to go for years.

So, Cliff's notes - I'll go 245/70 most likely. I have that size and other than slight rub on the sway bar at full lock, no issues. I don't mind the slight rub.

 

[Atrus]

If I were to throw a Daystar 2.5" lift on, think I could get away with the 245/75's? Just thinking if I am saving a good $100 by getting the 245's, they basically pay for the majority of the Daystar....

 

[Atrus]

Tony -

No issue in pounding the pinch weld. Yes, if I get either the Daystar or the OME, I'll be installing myself. Heck, I put the 3/4" spacer in with hand tools by myself

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Good day,

Then there is that point that for a little more out lay of money you could buy OME!
Be done with it and probably not have to worry about your suspension for a long time to come.
Even if you don't get a chance to off road as much as you would like, the OME coils will handle like a dream on road especially!
And who knows, once/if you get OME you might make more time for an occasional 4X4 excursion!
Like once ever 3-4 weeks to de-stress and take it out on your suspension system.
It's really good for the very hard working people to get out, swear, and help you relax!
I don't think you would regret it!

 

[J-Thompson]

If I were to throw a Daystar 2.5" lift on, think I could get away with the 245/75's? Just thinking if I am saving a good $100 by getting the 245's, they basically pay for the majority of the Daystar....

spend $150 to save $100
not really good economics
oh and if you lift that will be the cost of the lift + alignment
still spending a lot of money
then there is the wasted money on the spacer kit that will be replaced with a spring kit in a year when the KJ starts to ride bad

you are not trying to justify the cost of the tires you are trying to justify the lift buy buying tires
bottom line is it will never add up
same goes for 98% of the people who go from 3.73's to 4.10's
running 245/75's and try to justify it on fuel savings

 

[Atrus]

So, I am thinking I may try 235/75 now.

245/70 are 29.5". They rub slightly on the sway bar at full lock (not a big deal to me). They are still small for my speedo, and they cost more.

245/75 are 30.5". They'd be great, but even with fenderwell work I foresee them rubbing under certain conditions. They are cheaper. I'd assume they'd still rub on the swar bar, maybe even more so than the 70's.

235/75 are right in the middle - 30". They shouldn't rub on the sway bar, they are priced in between the 245/70 and 245/75, and they are probably the tallest I can get without rubbing. I think they'll be OK with no fenderwell work, and if I do need to trim some I am confident I can do it easily and there wouldn't be much needed.

KJ came stock with 235/70 (29"), so I'd be 1" bigger than stock.

I think this'll be the size I'll try for this next set. In 40k miles or so when I need a new set I'll be ready for springs and shocks, so then I'll go OME/Rancho and possibly step it up to 245/75.