Wheel / Tire Dilemma

[freebo86]

So here’s the story, my LJ street queen, driven on weekends and sunny days currently run 33x12.5x15 tires that are on stock rims. Jeep has a 2.5” lift.

I had to install 1.25” spacers due clear the rubbing at the rear but ever since I did that (2019) never liked them sticking out past the flares.

Fast forward to now, Jeep is garage kept but those tires are 10 years old (I didn’t buy them new) and I’m considering dropping down to 32x11.5x15, as I’m hoping I’d be able to eliminate the wheel spacers and also because the 33s just seem big. However the options are getting limited in a 15” size but also it seems like they’re crazy expensive, and around me the 15” market is non existent.

1. Stick with the 15s, and find a 32” tire. Will a 32 eliminate the need for spacers? My wheels are 15x8 OEM Ravines.
2. Move on to a 16” rim.
3. Should I even consider 17s?

What has me not sure about 2 & 3 is the fact that my wheels are like brand new, their OEM Ravine with no blemishes. Finding a 16 or 17 set in such condition may be hard. Maybe a take off set could be sourced.



Hoping for some feedback or suggestions! Thanks.

 

[Dylan_See_TJ]

Stock ride height w/ no lift?

 

[freebo86]

Stock ride height w/ no lift?

Sorry, should have clarified. No, 2.5” lift. Rancho 5000x and OME coils, 249 in rear and 234 in front. If memory serves me right on those coil part #s.

 

[Dylan_See_TJ]

I don't know whether 32s would rub with that setup, but I figured when somebody who does eyeballs this thread they'd ask.

 

[KennethS]

32s are 11.5 width so a bit narrower than your 33 x 12.5.

Have you considered the 33s in either 9.5 or 10.5 width?

 

[freebo86]

32s are 11.5 width so a bit narrower than your 33 x 12.5.

Have you considered the 33s in either 9.5 or 10.5 width?

I have not as the selections are even worse. It seems like a 15” tire in the 32 or 33 flavor is becoming rare and that’s why the price is high. Finding a 9.5 or 10.5 - 33 is like looking for a unicorn.

I have thought about trying to find a set of 16” rims that used to come on the 03-06 Rubicons and switching to that rim size.

 

[KennethS]

I just looked online and the 17” tires are more expensive than the 15” tires.

 

[bbaldwin237]

I have not as the selections are even worse. It seems like a 15” tire in the 32 or 33 flavor is becoming rare and that’s why the price is high. Finding a 9.5 or 10.5 - 33 is like looking for a unicorn.

I have thought about trying to find a set of 16” rims that used to come on the 03-06 Rubicons and switching to that rim size.

For 33x10.5R15 you have BFG KO2s, BFG KM3s, Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ, General Grabber X3, Maxxis Razr MT, Toyo Open Country MT, Kenda Klevers RT and MT2 (9.5 wide). There may be a few other lesser known options, but it's a pretty good variety.

 

[freebo86]

For 33x10.5R15 you have BFG KO2s, BFG KM3s, Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ, General Grabber X3, Maxxis Razr MT, Toyo Open Country MT, Kenda Klevers RT and MT2 (9.5 wide). There may be a few other lesser known options, but it's a pretty good variety.

Is this from tirerack? I’m in Canada so my access is like quattrotire or 4tires. So 4tires sure 33x10.5 is 450$/tire Canadian of course.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Just all over. I'm not sure what shipping to Canada is like, but have you checked places like Extreme Terrain, Trail Built, or even eBay?

 

[DuckNut]

Is this from tirerack? I’m in Canada so my access is like quattrotire or 4tires. So 4tires sure 33x10.5 is 450$/tire Canadian of course.

You got Walmart up there? Just about anything can be shipped to the store. No idea on selection but worth a look. Maybe Sam's Club or Costco too.

 

[freebo86]

So as one would expect on the local marketplace these popped up today. 33x10.5x15 Km3s.. however he does state there is some weather cracking.. are these worth anything?

 

[KennethS]

Ask for the date codes to see how old they are.

 

[freebo86]

Ask for the date codes to see how old they are.

Yah, 1140… so they’re 14 years old, lol.

 

[bbaldwin237]

Yah, 1140… so they’re 14 years old, lol.

Those are the old Mud Terrain KMs. Haven't been made in quite some time.

 

[TJRick]

I have not as the selections are even worse. It seems like a 15” tire in the 32 or 33 flavor is becoming rare and that’s why the price is high. Finding a 9.5 or 10.5 - 33 is like looking for a unicorn.

I have thought about trying to find a set of 16” rims that used to come on the 03-06 Rubicons and switching to that rim size.

My Jeep also has a 2.5" suspension lift. I tried running 32x11.50 tires on my stock Gambler wheels, and they severely rubbed. And your Ravines have the same backspacing. You will need wheel spacers for a tire that wide, and that will cause the tires stick out well beyond the fender flares.

If you would like to keep your Ravine wheels, 33x10.50 tires should work well without rubbing or spacers. But those are really too large with only a 2.5" lift. I would also add a 1.25" body lift for 33" tires.

And that will address the other problem: a 33" tire will *not* work on your stock tire carrier without adding a body lift.


I was in the same situation as you, and didn't like the look of my tires sticking out past the stock fender flares. My solution was to go with a set of the stock 16x8 Moab wheels found on the 2003 - 2006 Rubicon models. I chose size 265/75R 16 tires, which is a hair taller than my previous 32" tires were but about 1" more narrow. With the 1/2" less backspacing of the Moab wheels and the 1" wider stock Sahara or Rubicon fender flares, my tires do not stick out. And I am not running wheel spacers. This is, in fact, the LARGEST tires that will fit on the stock tire carrier without a body lift. Any larger and the tire will hit the bumper before closing the tailgate.

Here is a picture of my Jeep for reference:

 

[GPK03X]

I’m running 32/11.5/15 KM3’s on stock canyon’s. I had to use spacers to keep from rubbing on the rear.

 

[freebo86]

My Jeep also has a 2.5" suspension lift. I tried running 32x11.50 tires on my stock Gambler wheels, and they severely rubbed. And your Ravines have the same backspacing. You will need wheel spacers for a tire that wide, and that will cause the tires stick out well beyond the fender flares.

If you would like to keep your Ravine wheels, 33x10.50 tires should work well without rubbing or spacers. But those are really too large with only a 2.5" lift. I would also add a 1.25" body lift for 33" tires.

And that will address the other problem: a 33" tire will *not* work on your stock tire carrier without adding a body lift.


I was in the same situation as you, and didn't like the look of my tires sticking out past the stock fender flares. My solution was to go with a set of the stock 16x8 Moab wheels found on the 2003 - 2006 Rubicon models. I chose size 265/75R 16 tires, which is a hair taller than my previous 32" tires were but about 1" more narrow. With the 1/2" less backspacing of the Moab wheels and the 1" wider stock Sahara or Rubicon fender flares, my tires do not stick out. And I am not running wheel spacers. This is, in fact, the LARGEST tires that will fit on the stock tire carrier without a body lift. Any larger and the tire will hit the bumper before closing the tailgate.

Here is a picture of my Jeep for reference:

View attachment 633724

Looks sharp. I made a rear bumper /carrier myself and currently have a 33x12.5 on that - so that’s not a concern.

The rubicon Moab’s do look nice, that was one option I would consider if I can source a set in prestine condition. Pricing out a set of 265/75/16 Toyo Open Countries they are almost $700 cheaper than a 33x10.5x15 option..

I’m running 32/11.5/15 KM3’s on stock canyon’s. I had to use spacers to keep from rubbing on the rear.

Thanks. So maybe 10.5 wide tire is my only option if i want to keep my rims and no wheel spacers.

 

[freebo86]

What’s people’s opinion of new old stock of tires with 10+ year date codes?

Have a tire shop here that has 2x BFG KOs and 2x BFG Ko2s in 33x10x15 however two are dated 2012 and two are 2015.

Tires are brand new still with manufacture stickers and lettering (white) still blue. Been in a C-can storage unit.. price would be $550 installed.

 

[lBasket]

What’s people’s opinion of new old stock of tires with 10+ year date codes?

Have a tire shop here that has 2x BFG KOs and 2x BFG Ko2s in 33x10x15 however two are dated 2012 and two are 2015.

Tires are brand new still with manufacture stickers and lettering (white) still blue. Been in a C-can storage unit.. price would be $550 installed.

Junk and insane they would sell a tire that old