Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ engine mounts

Anybody have some pics of their TJ with 4.5” backspacing wheels and tires installed?

N2JEEP

N2JEEP

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Jul 22, 2024
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Augusta Ks
I just bought some wheels and tires from Summit and they are on back order… I hope I made the right choice I had a rubbing problem and went with the 4.5” backspacing. The wheels I chose only came that way and bigger. Anyway… anybody have pics of a TJ with 15 x 8’s with 4.5” backspacing???
 
Got a tire size / lift amount you are running—odds are somebody has a pic to match.
 
N2JEEP said:
I just bought some wheels and tires from Summit and they are on back order… I hope I made the right choice I had a rubbing problem and went with the 4.5” backspacing. The wheels I chose only came that way and bigger. Anyway… anybody have pics of a TJ with 15 x 8’s with 4.5” backspacing???
Click to expand...

Assuming your tires are rubbing on the inside, I would think you need less backspacing, not more (than recommended).
Guess you can always add a spacer.
 
I am running a set of the Quadratec OEM Moab wheels on 35 x 12.50 x 16 tires. The Moab wheels have 4.5" of backspacing and i am NOT using spacers. I have about 1/2" of clearance on the backside of the rear tires before the tire rubs on anything. I don't really want to run 1" spacers because i like the look of not having the tires stick out more than necessary. I could run 1/2" spacers but i'd need to replace all 20 of my wheel studs to accommodate and that has its drawbacks too if you ever want to remove the spacers.

This first picture is from the rear of the drivers side so you can see the space between the top of the tire and the top of the spring housing.
image1.jpeg


Two more pics from front and rear showing the tire sticking out.

image3.jpeg


image2.jpeg
 
mjbcomp said:
The Moab wheels have 4.5" of backspacing and i am NOT using spacers.
Click to expand...

The problem is usually in the front when turning and/or flexing.
I'm using 1" spacers with my stock Moab wheels (IIRC, 5" backspacing).
And that's with my metric tires that are only 11.2" wide.
 
Last edited:
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I have difficulty believing 35x12.5 fit without rubbing with 4.5" backspacing.
I run 4" backspacing, while cycling the suspension the rears just barely clear the frame and I had to add steering stop washers to the fronts to keep them off antirock arms and savvy control arms while turning, both having more clearance than OEM parts.

my guess is you could do a 33x10.5 max on an 8" wide wheel with 4.5" backspacing and not have rubbing issues, with enough lift
 
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LONGJP2 said:
The problem is usually in the front when turning and/or flexing.
I'm using 1" spacers with my stock Moab wheels (IIRC, 5" backspacing).
And that's with my metric tires that are only 11.2" wide.
Click to expand...

I have my steering stops out a bit farther but my 35's still get into the control arms. I'm ok with that for now. LOL
 
mjbcomp said:
I am running a set of the Quadratec OEM Moab wheels on 35 x 12.50 x 16 tires. The Moab wheels have 4.5" of backspacing and i am NOT using spacers. I have about 1/2" of clearance on the backside of the rear tires before the tire rubs on anything. I don't really want to run 1" spacers because i like the look of not having the tires stick out more than necessary. I could run 1/2" spacers but i'd need to replace all 20 of my wheel studs to accommodate and that has its drawbacks too if you ever want to remove the spacers.

This first picture is from the rear of the drivers side so you can see the space between the top of the tire and the top of the spring housing.
View attachment 557548

Two more pics from front and rear showing the tire sticking out.

View attachment 557549

View attachment 557550
Click to expand...

Those aren't stock Rubicon flares. @NashvilleTJ approves of your choice of Jeep colors. :cool:
 
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Very nice looking Jeeps… mine isn’t that nice but hopefully one day it will be much improved! I had a tire come apart and it dented up the area below passenger side taillight. Bought jeep and it didn’t have a bumper and because of that the damage was way worse. Do they make an aftermarket market part that reinforces that area? If not I may have to make one. Plus add a decent and useful bumper.
 

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