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Do I need to change rim if change tire from 225 to 235 or 245?

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liberty rim size tire width
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pt2005

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,

I'm planning to change my stock tires (Liberty Sport 3.7 4x2 - no mods) from 225/75R16 to either 235..R16 or 245...R16. I learned from various threads that 235 would do fine; but 245 may be noticeable when doing U-turn or so.

I also understand that wider tire size gives better traction, more acceleration, but less mpg.

The main reason I want to up the size is because I want more road footing. This car has a problem with strong winds. I took it to Vegas once and I was afraid during the drive because it was so windy and the front of the car seemed to sway a lot. At times, I feared that I would lose steering control. Took it to the dealers - yes 3 dealers - 3 times. And they said "everything is fine. No defect found". I've driven other SUV/trucks before and never felt this insecure with the steering and handling with high winds. (Note: I had all the recalls serviced and checked the website very frequently).

Any comments on the tire size or the steering/handling improvements are much appreciated.

Thanks

--Peter
 
#2 ·
The stock tire size on all KJ Liberty's running 16" wheels is P-225/75R-16, this can be substituted with a P-235/70R-16 unless you have a suspension lift.
With a 2.5" lift you can go as big as 245/75-16, or 255/70-16.

The vast majority of KJ Liberty owners with 2.5" to 3" of lift usually run the 245/75's, and they all will fit on the stock 7" wide rims....
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
It sounds like I can sub the stock 225 with the P235/70R16. How about P245/70R16? Does it work on the original rim with no lift. I dont want a lift now because I cannot afford it).

Thanks
 
#4 ·
pt2005 said:
It sounds like I can sub the stock 225 with the P235/70R16. How about P245/70R16? Does it work on the original rim with no lift. I dont want a lift now because I cannot afford it).

Thanks
Click to expand...
Chances are it'll rub the pinch weld, and / or the front of the fender well without a lift. Besides most tire shops will not install anything bigger than spec unless you have a lift or at least a leveling kit installed.

I had the same problem as you, I had to replace my tires in order to pass state inspection before I could afford to buy the lift kit, went with the 235/70's, now that I have the 2.5" lift on it, the tires look a little small, but when I can afford to replace these tires I'll be able to go bigger....
 
#5 ·
Almost all can run a 245-70-16 with no problems at all except for when backing up and wheels turned all the way to the right.
Well unless your springs are totally shot and you're sitting at 17 inches :)
235-70-16s came stock on a lot of KJs even on my Sport model.
Go 245-70s you'll notice a huge difference in handling, no change at all really in fuel mileage
and if a tire shop says no , go elsewhere.
 
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#6 ·
tommudd said:
Almost all can run a 245-70-16 with no problems at all except for when backing up and wheels turned all the way to the right.
Well unless your springs are totally shot and you're sitting at 17 inches :)
235-70-16s came stock on a lot of KJs even on my Sport model.
Go 245-70s you'll notice a huge difference in handling, no change at all really in fuel mileage
and if a tire shop says no , go elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Tom...
Liability laws are different from state to state, in New Jersey most of the leading...(legitimate)...tire retailers go by the book on replacement tires for stock vehicles. I bought my tires from a guy I have dealt with for many years, he flat out told me that unless I put either a leveling kit, or a suspension lift on my Liberty, he could not put anything on it bigger then what the book lists, and it's due to liability.
If I pulled into his shop in a pickup, pulled a set of rims out of the back and asked him to install 256/75's on them, then he's not liable because I would be taking them with me to bolt onto the vehicle, but if he bolts the wrong size tire onto the vehicle, then he's liable.
My advise to the original post here is based on local knowledge, it could very well be different in Ohio.....
 
#7 ·
But if going to 245-70 then its only going up one size, not 4 or 5
so most will upsize to the next which is 245-70
Now saying "if you do a leveling kit and then I can install" is not right at all. That does not have anything to do with what size tire, he would still be liable from what you are saying because it is the wrong size tire, lift or no lift.

I haven't kept up on all of the rules in the last few years, but since I used to work for Goodyear, then Firestone and before that independent tire dealers I know most of the rulings.
 
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Discussion starter · #8 ·
tommudd said:
Go 245-70s you'll notice a huge difference in handling, no change at all really in fuel mileage
and if a tire shop says no , go elsewhere.
Click to expand...
Huge difference in handling? I've been having some problem with my KJ handling in windy conditions. The main reason I want to get the 245 (if possible) is to improve the handling (more footing on road). I dont really care about mpg.
 
#9 ·
pt2005 said:
It sounds like I can sub the stock 225 with the P235/70R16. How about P245/70R16? Does it work on the original rim with no lift. I dont want a lift now because I cannot afford it).

Thanks
Click to expand...
245/70-16 SHOULD have been the optional factory size on the Liberty, as it was on the Grand Cherokee and other Jeeps. Yes...that size will work 100% perfectly, as it is the exact same diameter as the 225/75-16.

235/70-16 is actually a shorter tire. I personally would never go to a shorter tire which is smaller overall. That seems silly.
 
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Discussion starter · #10 ·
Well, assume that I change 4 tires from 225/75R16 to 245/70R16 but my spare is still stock (225/75). What if one of my tires has a flat, can I use the spare which is now different than the other 3 tires?

Thanks
 
#11 ·
pt2005 said:
Well, assume that I change 4 tires from 225/75R16 to 245/70R16 but my spare is still stock (225/75). What if one of my tires has a flat, can I use the spare which is now different than the other 3 tires?

Thanks
Click to expand...
This will work perfectly fine, because as I said in the previous post... 245/70-16 is the exact same diameter as 225/75-16.

The ONLY difference is that the 245 is 0.8" wider (not much wider at all). The two tire sizes are interchangable.
 
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#12 ·
im in this same dilema. i need tires, they are pretty bad. the alignment is way out and the springs are sagging. i was thinking ome coil lift,16x7 soft 8s with a larger tire than my 215s. i cant decide on tires. would the soft 8s with less backspace clear without the lift?
 
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