2007 Wrangler Tires

[ScottPA]

I have a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X. I would like to start departing from stock but am mostly ignorant of how and what to do. I'm hoping to meet some people that can help guide me in the right direction.

My Jeep's stock tires (P245/75R16) are nearly bald and I'm hoping to replace them with up to 33" tires. I'm not comfortable installing lift/suspension myself and am not real sure of where to go. Money is an issue as well, we don't have a whole lot to put into it.

I spoke to a guy from Quadratec and he recommended a 3" suspension lift but said a 2" lift using just spacers would work, too. Also, would I be able to go to say, 285/75R16 with stock wheels? Would I need wheel spacers?

One of the big things that I'm unsure about is the new computer system in the Jeeps. What all is involved with calibrating all that? I used to be fairly accustomed to having larger tires on vehicles and being 5 mph or so off on the speedometer... Now I feel like the computer system will scold me like in 2001, A Space Odyssey.

[Mykal]

My honest opinion is to throw some 2" spacers on it and wheel it. If you arent looking to do the hardest stuff on the trails with it, this will be fine for now.
As far as tire size, I dont know squat about Wranglers and what lift is required to fit a certain tire. My solution is to just grab the sawzall if it doesnt fit.
Buy some beer, pop, and pizza and throw a install party when you do get your parts. Im sure if you stick around and are active on the forum you can get a few people to help you out that have experience.

[ScottPA]

I would definitely be up for getting my hands dirty if there were others around who knew what they were doing. My biggest fear is not doing it correctly and having my wife hold it against me 'til death do us part. She would be more understanding if there were beer involved though (beer for her).

[PAFirefighter49]

Scott, the stock JKs can handle up to 31's or 32's with no lift (get away from the numbers lol, we use inches in off road land! jk lol) If you do decide to lift it, I would highly recommend buying taller 2" lift springs instead of spacers (aka hockey pucks, budget boosts, etc.) My TJ came with them when I bought it, and they provide a bumpy, rough ride by not allowing the stock springs to work naturally...they spring so far, but hit the pucks and make it bouncy. A 2" lift on a JK will allow you to clear 33" tires.

[2002wranglerX]

285/75/16's OR 305/70/16's (33's) will fit WITHOUT a lift

my bro's JK, 285/75/16's, 3/4" front spacer to help with rake, sway bar disconnected, stock wheels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nLhIO_iSwQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlU7q2S3P4E


and the reason in the 2nd one why everyone was laughing was this was what everyone else was doing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qeXwt80L20

here's my JK with a 2" full traction spacer lift and 33x12.50's on stock 17" sahara wheels

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/46willys/DSC01192.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/46willys/DSC01131.jpg

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i199/46willys/DSC01128.jpg

[ScottPA]

Could I go with 32's staying with my stock rims, avoiding wheel spacers, etc? This might actually be the most cost-effective, for now.

Also, what are your thoughts on the newer computer stuff and calibrations, or is that just something that mechanics try to scare you with and not really that big of a factor? I would like to hear that it's a bunch of BS and that I shouldn't worry about it, if that's the case. It just seems like it used to be much simpler, just realize that 75 meant 70 (or was it the other way around, might explain the speeding tickets) and drive accordingly.

edit: Could I go with the 33's without spacers or a lift?

[2002wranglerX]

Could I go with 32's staying with my stock rims, avoiding wheel spacers, etc? This might actually be the most cost-effective, for now.

Also, what are your thoughts on the newer computer stuff and calibrations, or is that just something that mechanics try to scare you with and not really that big of a factor? I would like to hear that it's a bunch of BS and that I shouldn't worry about it, if that's the case. It just seems like it used to be much simpler, just realize that 75 meant 70 (or was it the other way around, might explain the speeding tickets) and drive accordingly.

you can go 33's with stock wheels and avoid spacers. both 305/70/16's and 285/75/16's will fit without problems other than rubbing on the control arm at full lock. no big deal. the first pic of my rig has 33x12.50x17's on stock wheels with no wheelspacers, it has wheelspacers further down. i only did them for looks.

as far as the computer. the speed isn't a big deal. you can buy calibration computers to fix the jk's speedo.

what matters is if you lift it your steering wheel has to be PERFECTLY aligned or it will make the esp kick in. you can still do it yourself, it just takes some tinkering.

[ScottPA]

Thank you all for the great advice. This is helping to put me at ease.

Any recommendations for where to buy and install the tires? We live in Gibsonia but can drive.

[Sloth_Fratelli]

The place by me (hartmanns firestone on 19) said if I just order tires and rims off quadratec and had them sent there they'd get em ready for me for a few bucks

[ScottPA]

The place by me (hartmanns firestone on 19) said if I just order tires and rims off quadratec and had them sent there they'd get em ready for me for a few bucks

Great, thanks. Cranberry?

[2002wranglerX]

what wheels do you have on your jk?

*edit* nevermind, if you have 245's then you have the aluminum wheels. those wheels are 7.5" wide. personally i recommend 285/75/16's. but they'll rub at full turn. but if you ever want to lift they'll still work and look good. 265/75/16's will fit and not rub, but 32's are a stock size... and i don't see the point of spending $ on stock stuff...

[village_idiot]

Any recommendations for where to buy and install the tires? We live in Gibsonia but can drive.
so your the lone JK in gibsonia that waves back. nice to see you join up.

[Sloth_Fratelli]

Great, thanks. Cranberry?

Yeah if your going north on 19 from 76(76 goes straight from gibsonia to 19 in cranberry) it's on the right mabye 100 yards past the light where rowan road crosses 19. If you see mac outfitters that's the building, the shop is in back. I can't reccomend them highly enough. I know you live in gibsonia but I wouldn't go anywhere else to get work done(that I can't do myself lol). PM me if you wanna know more

[ScottPA]

:039: Yes, the blue one. Thank you.

Unfortunately, I have been regulated to the wife's rubie sue (subaru) due to the state of the brakes and the bald tires. It's not that bad, a bit like driving a boat when it's wet out. I just need to realize I am not going to stop or take a turn at more than snail's pace.

I find myself waving at other Jeeps even in her car. It's a habit now. That usually gets a funny look.

Red with chrome brush guard?

[Sloth_Fratelli]

Haha gibsons yj is bright a$$ orange. And as long as it's not one of those ugly soob's (outback or forester I can't remember) it should be a pretty fun car my friend just got an Sti impreza and it's hard not to go speed racer with that sumbitch lol

[ScottPA]

Aw, it is indeed an outback. The dealer calls it a "wagon" but it beats a minivan. We just are not minivan people. It really isnt all that bad, it corners well and has a really light accelerator. Just ask the trooper in Cincinatti, driving back from Christmas in TX. Of course, he could have pulled us over due to the Steeler blanket in the back window. The best part was when my wife started to argue with him over the posted speed limit...

[village_idiot]

Haha gibsons yj is bright a$$ orange.
thats an understatement. the jeep i drive the most isnt even mine, its my dads khaki TJ. hell, i drive that thing more than any other vehicle, i drive it more than he does even.

[Sloth_Fratelli]

Aw, it is indeed an outback. The dealer calls it a "wagon" but it beats a minivan. We just are not minivan people. It really isnt all that bad, it corners well and has a really light accelerator. Just ask the trooper in Cincinatti, driving back from Christmas in TX. Of course, he could have pulled us over due to the Steeler blanket in the back window. The best part was when my wife started to argue with him over the posted speed limit...

Do you have the 2 door or the 4 door jk? I've been in a 4 door once and it seemed like a capable mini van more than a jeep on the inside complete with cheerios on the carpet and a baby seat in the back lol. I always call 4 door jk's "jeep mini vans" when I see em haha

[2002wranglerX]

Do you have the 2 door or the 4 door jk? I've been in a 4 door once and it seemed like a capable mini van more than a jeep on the inside complete with cheerios on the carpet and a baby seat in the back lol. I always call 4 door jk's "jeep mini vans" when I see em haha

as that stock minivan owns your lifted xj down the trail :shmoopy:

[Sloth_Fratelli]

What? I drive an xj. Never said I don't like jk's they're just miles away from the cj.

[ScottPA]

4 door and, yes, with a 6 year old and nearly 2 year old, it comes complete with cheerios, goldfish, poptarts and all the wrappers. My wife and I were (almost) first in line when the 4 door came out. I had always wanted another Jeep but it was hard to justify with small kids.

I agree that it is miles away from an old CJ. But it is a Jeep, and after 3 years, it hasn't even begun to get old, just matured and ready for the next phase of its life. I would rather have it than an old Wagoneer and I loved those back in the day.

[Sloth_Fratelli]

i actually cant wait till they get a few years old and i can buy my own, haha and people start wheeling the hell out of em like cj-yj-tj's. the one thing that really gets me is off model jeeps, like something different. id kill for a scrambler, a j-10, or one of those old trucks i think willys made with the engine under the cab. i saw an old cj on jeepforum that somebody modified to use as a work truck, it had a bulldozer/tractor type wide bucket on the front and one of those long-arm loaders in the back, with full hydraulics(pto driven) and a second seat in the back for the crane. picture this with a jeep in the middle instead

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_otMKl0CFmuE/SI9RgTsGOBI/AAAAAAAAAEA/HIFk9jkqxDQ/s400/cat-416d-backhoe-loader.jpg

[ScottPA]

I have always wanted a scrambler.

[Sloth_Fratelli]

i saw one in the south side a few weeks ago and almost literally fell over i was so suprised, it had like a dalmation camo looking paint job (from what i could see) and they had the top off. and it was a cold ass night!

[jlovbasz3]

^i saw an old cj on jeepforum that somebody modified to use as a work truck, it had a bulldozer/tractor type wide bucket on the front and one of those long-arm loaders in the back, with full hydraulics(pto driven) and a second seat in the back for the crane.

you could get all that shit for the jeep back in the day!

http://thm-a03.yimg.com/nimage/39c322998a5eb66c (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTb_kocGpL6jAAlJCJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBqdXJhdTI 4BHBvcwMyOARzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=1i6vncb5e/EXP=1265353128/**http%3a//images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo .com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253Fp%253Djeep%252Bcj%2 52Bbackhoe%2526b%253D22%2526ni%253D21%2526ei%253Du tf-8%2526y%253DSearch%2526xargs%253D0%2526pstart%253D 1%2526fr%253Dmy-myy-s%26w=600%26h=581%26imgurl=www.cj3a.info%252Fphoto s%252Freport.jpg%26rurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cj3 a.info%252Fphotos%252FPhotos.html%26size=101k%26na me=report%2bjpg%26p=jeep%2bcj%2bbackhoe%26oid=39c3 22998a5eb66c%26fr2=%26no=28%26tt=53%26b=22%26ni=21 %26sigr=1174fb1r1%26sigi=10vq5houn%26sigb=13oovupf u)http://thm-a01.yimg.com/nimage/eae20aa0a03674d4 (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTb_kocGpL6jAAjpCJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBqOHA2aDg zBHBvcwMyMgRzZWMDc3IEdnRpZAM-/SIG=1ikhs933q/EXP=1265353128/**http%3a//images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo .com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253Fp%253Djeep%252Bcj%2 52Bbackhoe%2526b%253D22%2526ni%253D21%2526ei%253Du tf-8%2526y%253DSearch%2526xargs%253D0%2526pstart%253D 1%2526fr%253Dmy-myy-s%26w=992%26h=744%26imgurl=www.yourinter.net%252Fd ig101%252FSide_View_Working.jpg%26rurl=http%253A%2 52F%252Fwww.yourinter.net%252Fdig101%26size=184k%2 6name=Side%2bView%2bWorkin...%26p=jeep%2bcj%2bback hoe%26oid=eae20aa0a03674d4%26fr2=%26no=22%26tt=53% 26b=22%26ni=21%26sigr=10vo9r2bm%26sigi=11eklulch%2 6sigb=13oovupfu)http://thm-a02.yimg.com/nimage/b486fde01ec63ac4 (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTb_zUcGpLOG0AK8CJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTBpZTByOGF iBHBvcwMyBHNlYwNzcgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=1ip1cf0hr/EXP=1265353300/**http%3a//images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3fback=http%253A%252F%252Fimages.search.yahoo .com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253Fp%253Djeep%252Bcj%2 52Bbackhoe%2526b%253D1%2526ni%253D21%2526ei%253Dut f-8%2526y%253DSearch%2526xargs%253D0%2526pstart%253D 1%2526fr%253Dmy-myy-s%26w=1024%26h=559%26imgurl=www.yourinter.net%252F dig101%252FGo-For-Digger_Brochure.jpg%26rurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww. yourinter.net%252Fdig101%26size=104k%26name=Go%2bF or%2bDigger%2bBr...%26p=jeep%2bcj%2bbackhoe%26oid= b486fde01ec63ac4%26fr2=%26no=2%26tt=53%26b=1%26ni= 21%26sigr=10vo9r2bm%26sigi=11jd9rnl3%26sigb=13nun7 sok)http://www.cj-3a.com/zotti2.jpg
and even fire trucks!!!

[Sloth_Fratelli]

it was a custom job and they still used it on their farm, he said if anybody wanted one they can fabricate one for a price

[Sloth_Fratelli]

oh and by the way, those jeeps? fapfapfapfap

[ScottPA]

Hello all. I finally got the brakes done on the Jeep. I asked about getting tires from and they said they would not be able to put on larger tires due to liability issues. Has anyone run across this?

I have the ball rolling with Hartman's on 19, but I'm still curious why another shop would refuse.

[limegreentj]

a lot of places do that, but if you take the wheels off, and bring them in i dont think they can say anything.4


edit: the majority of the time, its a laziness issue, because oversized tires are heavy as hell...lol