Running JK 17" wheels with 35" tires - setups requested

[DeltaNu1142]

Let me start by saying, I really don't want 17" wheels. However, I stumbled on a free set of aftermarket wheels & 35 x 12.5 x 17 tires off a JK. I would happily run them with wheel adapters on my LJR until the tread has vanished, then ditch them... but the offset is already -19mm, and adapters would push the wheels out to the point of being ridiculous/hazardous to hubs.

JK takeoffs are abound, and cheap. So, for those running 17" JK wheels & 25x12.5 tires on adapters... what are you using for adapters? I have Spidertrax 1-1/4" spacers for when I find 315/75/16s for my Moabs, but I'm unsure of backspacing on the OEM JK-up wheels. ET40? ET43?

Thanks for any input.

 

[tnjeepguy]

but I'm unsure of backspacing on the OEM JK-up wheels

"Factory Wrangler wheels are 17" diameter x 7" wide with 6.25" backspacing."
All I have seen are 7.5" wide. (just measure the ones you have !)

Ravine

* 15x8 aluminum
* 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern
* Backspacing = 5.5"
* Optional wheel with 30" tire package
* Offset = +25.4 mm

 

[joe98tj]

You can check out this forum post: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-run-jk-or-jl-wheels-on-a-tj.19285/

I run 35x11.5 nittos. I opted for 2" adapters. I haven't put many miles on it since i switched so I can't comment on being bad for the hubs. Its been two years though and (knock on wood) they haven't gone bad yet. I mostly just take the jeep off road since its a 4 cyl and hates going fast.

But per the linked post, 1.25" adapter and 12.5 wide tire is going to rub.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

But per the linked post, 1.25" adapter and 12.5 wide tire is going to rub.

Thanks for that. I did some searching, but that thread didn't come up (should have known the search would fail me). I suspected a big spacer would be needed. And while in theory running a thick spacer on a high-backspace wheel shouldn't be any riskier than using a wheel with the same effective offset... it just feels wrong.

This all started because I found these 5x5 wheels and tires, and can't find someone to trade me 5x4.5 wheels with 35s that'll work on my Jeep. So... the next best thing is to find 17" wheels that I can mount with the 35s. Another option is a cheap set of aftermarket 17x9 0mm wheels I found to use in the meantime. But... they're ugly.

 

[joe98tj]

Putting 2" adapters on definitely felt weird but I had a friend with an XJ who ran them with jk rims and put a decent amount of miles on with no issues so I went with it. If you can hold out, every once in awhle a set of 17" 5x4.5 steel wheels pop up on marketplace. I was never quick enough to grab them so I opted for the jk rubicon rims. I actually like the look and the lack of tire width hasnt been too bad for the offroading I do.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

In lieu of JK wheels with big spacers, I found these in 17x9/ET0, dual drilled for 5x4.5 & 5x5:

They're not bad, I guess... but I'd much rather have 35s on Moabs. I suppose they should be relatively easy to get rid of when these 35s wear out.

 

[jjvw]

Let me start by saying, I really don't want 17" wheels. However, I stumbled on a free set of aftermarket wheels & 35 x 12.5 x 17 tires off a JK. I would happily run them with wheel adapters on my LJR until the tread has vanished, then ditch them... but the offset is already -19mm, and adapters would push the wheels out to the point of being ridiculous/hazardous to hubs.

JK takeoffs are abound, and cheap. So, for those running 17" JK wheels & 25x12.5 tires on adapters... what are you using for adapters? I have Spidertrax 1-1/4" spacers for when I find 315/75/16s for my Moabs, but I'm unsure of backspacing on the OEM JK-up wheels. ET40? ET43?

Thanks for any input.

Factory JK wheels have 6" backspacing. You need a 2" thick adapter spacer to end up with an effective 4" backpacking.

That is what you see here...

17s are a very nice wheel size for several reasons, BTW.

 

[mjonesjr84]

You will need at least 1.5" adapters; anything less and you will have to cut the factory lug studs.

If those wheels are -19mm offset, you won't need any adapter bigger than 1.5". I am running a 1.5" adapters on my '00 with 5x5 JK wheels that are -12mm offset. I like this set up because it gives me a wider stance.

17" wheels will give you A TON more tire & wheel choices.

**This is with the same wheels I say I have on above, only with 33 x 12.50 x 17's. I'm currently running 37 x 12.50 x 17's.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

You will need at least 1.5" adapters; anything less and you will have to cut the factory lug studs.

This is an important point that I missed when getting my hands on adapters... I really wanted 1.25", but through blind luck I ended up with 1.5". I posted an update in my build thread. I ended up with 17x8.5" Pintlers (5.14" backspacing/10mm offset) and 35" Kenda tires. The Kendas are pretty cupped and noisy as all hell, but they were free.

I need to fool with the track bar to align my rear axle. Hopefully that'll fix my minor pull to the left.

 

[hear]

I'm scared to death to run spacers. I had them at one point and the inner lugs (?) loosened on me and I about lost the wheel while driving. I used the red locktite that came with them, but clearly that worked well.

I'm on the verge of regearing to 4.56 & 35's, but finding rims that fit is a challenge (mostly because I'm cheap and I need to find them on marketplace). I assume nobody makes a dana 44 axle shaft with 5x5" bolt pattern in a TJ length??

 

[jjvw]

I'm scared to death to run spacers. I had them at one point and the inner lugs (?) loosened on me and I about lost the wheel while driving. I used the red locktite that came with them, but clearly that worked well.

I'm on the verge of regearing to 4.56 & 35's, but finding rims that fit is a challenge (mostly because I'm cheap and I need to find them on marketplace). I assume nobody makes a dana 44 axle shaft with 5x5" bolt pattern in a TJ length??

Mine has close to 100k miles on spacers of some kind without a single incident.

 

[mjonesjr84]

I'm scared to death to run spacers. I had them at one point and the inner lugs (?) loosened on me and I about lost the wheel while driving. I used the red locktite that came with them, but clearly that worked well.

I'm on the verge of regearing to 4.56 & 35's, but finding rims that fit is a challenge (mostly because I'm cheap and I need to find them on marketplace). I assume nobody makes a dana 44 axle shaft with 5x5" bolt pattern in a TJ length??

I don't have a lot of miles on mine, but I do have a lot of time on rocks. If you locktite the inner lugs and torque them down, unless you have a cheap spacer that breaks you won't have an issue.

 

[bbaldwin237]

I'm scared to death to run spacers. I had them at one point and the inner lugs (?) loosened on me and I about lost the wheel while driving. I used the red locktite that came with them, but clearly that worked well.

I'm on the verge of regearing to 4.56 & 35's, but finding rims that fit is a challenge (mostly because I'm cheap and I need to find them on marketplace). I assume nobody makes a dana 44 axle shaft with 5x5" bolt pattern in a TJ length??

You can get shafts for the 44 with multiple bolt patterns, but then you'd also need brake drums redrilled to 5x5 and front hubs and rotors that were 5x5. Unless you go to a locking hub kit in the front, nobody makes a front unit bearing (to my knowledge) for the TJ with a different bolt pattern.

 

[Strizzo]

I'm running 33s on JLR oem wheels with 2" spacers. I forget the actual calculation but I read that you want between 3.5-3.75" of backspacing to run 33s or bigger to keep them out of the control arms, and 2" spacer was what I came up with to get there with those wheels. 2.5" skyjacker lift/SYE/adjustable arms.

 

[jjvw]

I'm running 33s on JLR oem wheels with 2" spacers. I forget the actual calculation but I read that you want between 3.5-3.75" of backspacing to run 33s or bigger to keep them out of the control arms, and 2" spacer was what I came up with to get there with those wheels. 2.5" skyjacker lift/SYE/adjustable arms.

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Too little backspacing and the scrub radius is too greatly impacted causing poor handling and accelerated wear on the ball joints.

This is why mine has 4" backspacing on 35x12.5" tires

 

[hear]

You can get shafts for the 44 with multiple bolt patterns, but then you'd also need brake drums redrilled to 5x5 and front hubs and rotors that were 5x5. Unless you go to a locking hub kit in the front, nobody makes a front unit bearing (to my knowledge) for the TJ with a different bolt pattern.

oh derp, I wasn't even thinking about the fronts, I have a Dana 30 up there.

 

[Moglocker]

You can get shafts for the 44 with multiple bolt patterns, but then you'd also need brake drums redrilled to 5x5 and front hubs and rotors that were 5x5. Unless you go to a locking hub kit in the front, nobody makes a front unit bearing (to my knowledge) for the TJ with a different bolt pattern.

I know my axles are drilled for that,and would love to put the (big) regular looking locking hubs that come with the jk pattern.

 

[bbaldwin237]

oh derp, I wasn't even thinking about the fronts, I have a Dana 30 up there.

I know my axles are drilled for that,and would love to put the (big) regular looking locking hubs that come with the jk pattern.

Yea if it was easier, we would see it here more often. Most just accept the spacers.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

I'm scared to death to run spacers.

This is my first time using them, across the wide range of cars and trucks I’ve owned and messed with over the years. It was only after reading experiences on this forum that I felt “OK” trying it.

There’s no question it introduces a new point of failure. But I’ve lost wheels studs on a car without spacers. I felt it happening, pulled over, and avoided catastrophe. I’ll be keeping an eye on this and the wife won’t be driving it until I gain confidence that the spacers aren’t going anywhere that the hubs aren’t.

 

[hear]

does anyone have a link to the 2" spacers for sale?