ZJ tire fitment

[blazinid]

What is the largest tire I can fit on my 1996 ZJ in stock form? I want to put a moderate lift on, maybe 2" just can't figure out who to use. In the mean time I'm trying to figure out what tire I can fit with that lift and would that tire fit before the lift is installed.....

[absolute]

Do a search on http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13 for information on you cherokee!

[97 zj steve]

30" tire

[slomatt]

The tire size you can fit is going to depend on lift, wheel backspacing, and if you are willing to trim your fenders.

Teraflex has a decent chart:
http://www.trailquest.com/teraflex/teraflex_tire.shtml

I agree with "97 zj steve" that a 30" tire is about as large as you would want to run stock or with a small lift without trimming. If you trim a little and move to a 3+" lift you could likely fit 32's. If you trip a lot it is possible to fit 33's on a 2" budget boost but it would not be very useful on the trail.

My ZJ has 33x12.5s with a ~3" lift and is able to articulate off road, but this required HEAVY trimming of the fenders.

- Matt

[SeaRubi]

disclaimer: I have zero experience with cherokees.

I've never understood why more of the full bodied jeeps aren't seen with 235/85-16. These come out to something like 32" x 8.5" wide. This is a great size for an expo style rig. The narrow width lets them articulate without cutting up the fenders, and they've generally got mad traction off-road. The ride can be a little bouncy because almost all of them are load range E. You'll have a good deal more clearance than with a 30" tire, and you can make them work with a very modest lift. I think a budget-boost and some extended bumpstops would probably set very well with the 235/85's.

Other options on a 16" rim are 215/85-16. these make a great ice and snow tire. And then, of course, 255/85 - a narrow 33" tire.

all of these sizes are much easier to stuff under fenders with limited options. Getting anything more than 10" or so under a full body rig is kind of difficult without huge amounts of offset.

[Tanto]

Be sure to add extended bump as the mentioned in the previous post, and longer travel shocks. Otherwise another popular tire with a 2" BB is the 265/70r16, no trimming needed.

Personally, if I did it from the beginning again I'd just do a 4" Short Arm setup and look for a 32"-33" ish tire. If you want precise tire sizes for that option I can rummage around for some data for you.

[blazinid]

Thanks for the advice. So extended bump stops to keep the tire from rubbing? Also i've got the stock alum. rims and they are a 15X8 (or 7). So I need to stick to a 15" tire for now unless I can find a killer deal on some 16" cherokee 5 spoke alums.
That being said, with a 2" BB new shocks and a new steering stabilizer you all think I should run 30"X9.5r15?
This jeep will see alot of gravel and dirt roads, not to much "rock crawling" but every now and then I could see it happening.

[SeaRubi]

I'd probably up the ante to a 31x10.50 for your 15" rims. These will work fine on a fresh 2" budget-boost. Increasing the bumpstop limits your axles ability to articulate upward, thus keeping the tire from jamming itself hard inside the fender. You may not need it, and I'd try wheeling it for a trip or two without them to see if there's contact, first, before rushing out to buy a set.

Eventually, as money allows, you will want to swap out the pucks with a good 2~3" spring lift. good luck - shoot us some pics of the final result!

[blazinid]

pic upload no worky....

Can I fit 31's with no lift for a week or so with NO WHEELING untill my lift is installed? Or should I wait and just do tires after the lift?

[Purple People Eater]

If we're talking a week, wait and install the tires after the lift. That way you can better judge what size tire you really want.