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Tires for Jeep XJ with 3" lift

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tdailey83

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Tires for Jeep XJ with 3" lift

So I've run into some trouble with finding out the best tire size to get for my 2001 XJ limited. I'm planning on getting a 3" lift and new 31" tires. I want to get Cooper AT3's. I was looking at 245/75R16, which has a diameter of 30.51" and a width of 9.6", but I don't know if they will look too small. So what size would you recommend? By the way I have 16" rims.
245/75R16
Diameter: 30.51
Width: 9.6
 
#2 ·
quick google job came up with thousands of results.
we have a search function and a thread dedicated to X size tires with Y amount of lift.
welcome to the forum.

IMO it would look good if you don't trim your fenders.
the at3 is a above average performer on the highway while still being very decent off road.
 
#3 ·
245/75's should look very good on an XJ with 3" of lift. Lots of guys run 30*9.5's or 245/75's at that height. They don't rub nearly as bad as those of us running 31x10.5's.

Search around the forum, you'll probably have an easier time comparing to 30x9.5's, it's a more common size and the difference to the eye will be negligible.

Cooper AT3's have excellent reviews I've heard a few that preferred something else, but never a complaint.
 
#5 ·
Most people with a 3 inch lift who don't want to do any trimming seem to choose 15 inch rims with 3.75 inch backspace and 31 inch tires. For a 16 inch wheel you would probably go with a 245/75R16 to get about the same size tire, although it will be narrower than the 31s. Even then you may get some LCA rub at full lock with stock 16 inch wheels as they have 5.25 inch backspace. There are no 16 inch wheels I've found that come in the Cherokee bolt pattern with less than 4 inches of backspace.

I currently have LT265/75R16 mounted on a 2000 XJ with stock 16 inch Icon rims. Its fine to drive around and do light wheeling, but there are issues. The front tires rub at full lock on the LCAs. The back tires just barely rub the lower part of the rear bumpercap when flexed down, and would get some bad rub on the inside sidewalls if the back tires were stuffed. Once I open my front fenders and go to 4 inch backspace rims the front will be fine, and with the same treatment plus cut and fold the back will no longer rub either.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I have a 3" lift on my XJ. Before I put my 1.5" wheel spacers on, I had some rubbing on the lower control arms. After I put the spacers on, I had rubbing on the plastic ends of the stock bumper. The rubbing on the plastic part of the bumper happens with less steering than before I installed the spacers and only had LCA rubbing issues.

I'm running 31" X 10.5" 's on stock 16" rims, btw....

I have a Rough Country bumper on the way. It should eliminate the rubbing I have now with the stock bumper.
 
#7 ·
If you don't want to trim, a 31" tires is as big as you should probably go. If you are willing to trim the fenders you could definitely go bigger if you wanted to. My xj is at ~1.5" with 31's and I have plenty of clearance.
 
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#8 ·
XJJunkie71 said:
I have a 3" lift on my XJ. Before I put my 1.5" wheel spacers on, I had some rubbing on the lower control arms. After I put the spacers on, I had rubbing on the plastic ends of the stock bumper. The rubbing on the plastic part of the bumper happens with less steering than before I installed the spacers and only had LCA rubbing issues.

I'm running 31" X 10.5" 's on stock 16" rims, btw.....
Click to expand...
I'm curious.
You're running stock Jeep 16 inch wheels with 31X10.5? Which model wheels do you have? What brand of tires?

All the stock 16 inch Jeep wheels I've seen are 7 inch wide. A 7 inch wheel seems very narrow to be mounting a 31X10.5 tire on. My 265/75R16s can be mounted on a wheel as narrow as 7 inches, although an 8 inch wheel is recommended.

I've never seen 31X10.5s in 16 inch.
 
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tdailey83
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