Ideal wheel/tire combo for lifted CJ5

[busterswt]

My CJ5 sits on 35x12.50 tires and 15x10 wheels with 4.75" backspacing. I'm not a fan of the tires being tucked in, and was curious to know if there were a more ideal setup to look into. There's about 6" of suspension lift on this thing, and I don't know what the ride quality is like as-is (not yet running). Probably not the best setup for a CJ5 anyway, but I digress.

- I'd like to have a little wider stance - what's the best way to achieve that?
- Is there an alternative tire size that would be better than the 35x12.50s on it now?

I'm sure more questions will follow. Here are some pics of the look it's got now.

 

[Torxhead]

All CJ5s have the narrow track, your options are to install the later axles from a CJ7 , which would tighten the turning radius, or change to a wheel with a different offset. Personally, I like the narrow track as it is easier to squeeze thru the tighter spaces. I try to go with a tire size as short as I can get away with, unfortunatly it is a 35" tire. A shorter spring shackle could help.

 

[busterswt]

I would like to keep the 35s, but was curious what people's results were with say a 3" or 4" backspacing on a 10" rim compared to the 4.75 on there now (CJ5 , especially). I'd hate to invest in a set of wheels and have them not fit properly.

 

[csuengr]

From your pics, those wheels are 15 x 8's with more than likely a 3.75" backspace. A 4.75" backspace wheel would have your tie rods either inside the back of the wheel or rubbing against it.

The easiest thing to do is get some 1.25" wheel spacers.

 

[007]

I agree... You can tell by the spoke pattern those are OEM 15x8's. They do measure out to almost 10" from outer lip to outer lip, but inside they're stamped 15x8 as that's where the bead rests.

So - I'd think a wider rim is the only way to alleviate the tire issue you describe.

 

[Petescj]

Yeah yours are definately 15 x 8. Some people dont like to run 15 x 10s cause its easier to pop a bead when running low tire pressures. Personally I like the look of the 15 x 10s enough to offset that and run a little higher air pressure. Heres some pics of 15 x 10s.

1st is my current 81 CJ7 . 35s with 15 x10s on narrow tracs:


Heres my old CJ7 with your style wheels only in 15 x 10. Just 33s with Tj flares



Same specs just different wheels:

 

[busterswt]

Thanks for the updates, fellas! Especially for the correction on 15x10 vs 15x8. Petescj - Thanks for the pics! Gives me a better understanding of what I'd be looking at with 15x10s.

These are some I'm looking at...

Pro Comp Wheels Part 98-5185F - Series 98 Rock Crawler - Flat Black Wheel

Mickey Thompson Part 90000001686 - MT-28, 15x10 with 5 on 5.5 Bolt Pattern - BLACK

Pro Comp Alloy Wheels Part 7069-5185 - Series 7069, 15x10 with 5 on 5.5 Bolt Pattern - Flat Black Machined

 

[csuengr]

Just don't get chrome plated. I would swear that the cheap plating makes them rust faster.

 

[007]

Thanks for the updates, fellas! Especially for the correction on 15x10 vs 15x8. Petescj - Thanks for the pics! Gives me a better understanding of what I'd be looking at with 15x10s.

These are some I'm looking at...

Pro Comp Wheels Part 98-5185F - Series 98 Rock Crawler - Flat Black Wheel

Mickey Thompson Part 90000001686 - MT-28, 15x10 with 5 on 5.5 Bolt Pattern - BLACK

Pro Comp Alloy Wheels Part 7069-5185 - Series 7069, 15x10 with 5 on 5.5 Bolt Pattern - Flat Black Machined

One thing you need to keep in mind too is the hub hole size. The narrow tracks had a larger front hub if I'm not mistaken...around 4 3/4" but someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

That seems to limit choices unless you have a machine shop open it up a bit.

 

[Petescj]

Ive never run into this issue myself but I can check it after the Holiday weekend. I know my Limited has the factory wheels and its an 83 wide track. I can compare it to my 81 Laredo I know is narrow track. I think the difference in hub hole size may be more about disc brake and drum brake more than track width. All my Cjs have had the disc front brakes.

One thing you need to keep in mind too is the hub hole size. The narrow tracks had a larger front hub if I'm not mistaken...around 4 3/4" but someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

That seems to limit choices unless you have a machine shop open it up a bit.

 

[Petescj]

You seem to like a black wheel so Id go with a stee lwheel. If you do pop a bead and damage the wheel you can fix it with a hammer. Aluminum wheels, not so much. QUOTE=busterswt;153953]Thanks for the updates, fellas! Especially for the correction on 15x10 vs 15x8. Petescj - Thanks for the pics! Gives me a better understanding of what I'd be looking at with 15x10s.

These are some I'm looking at...

Pro Comp Wheels Part 98-5185F - Series 98 Rock Crawler - Flat Black Wheel

Mickey Thompson Part 90000001686 - MT-28, 15x10 with 5 on 5.5 Bolt Pattern - BLACK

Pro Comp Alloy Wheels Part 7069-5185 - Series 7069, 15x10 with 5 on 5.5 Bolt Pattern - Flat Black Machined[/QUOTE]