Question on back space 33x12.5" x 15" for Rubicon. What is the best
back space on the 15" rim? I want to go as far under the fender flares
as possible without rubbing or scraping on control arms etc.

BTW, its a 4.5" RE lift.

Anyone have a favorite fender flare for the rubicon and does it really
fit the Rubicon without drilling?

Many thanks!

 

You *might* get away with 4" backspacing. Stock wheel can be used in the
front once you adjust the steering stops, but with that wide a tire in the
back you will contact the upper spring perch on the inside of the tire.

When we got my wife's TJL, the previous owner installed an RE 4.5" lift and
33x12.5's, but kept the stock wheels. After close inspection I noticed he
cut off or ground down just enough of the upper spring perch cup (maybe
3/4") to clear the tire, with no spring retention issues. Neat trick. I'll
put a link to a picture later.

Both my TJ's have stock flares, the Rubicon has wider flares from the
factory, but if you need wider I'd choose Bushwacker, I like the look of
them.

"nawt2smart" <nawt2smart@excite.com> wrote in message
news:1167890528.379352.38130@6g2000cwy.googlegroup s.com...
> Question on back space 33x12.5" x 15" for Rubicon. What is the best
> back space on the 15" rim? I want to go as far under the fender flares
> as possible without rubbing or scraping on control arms etc.
>
> BTW, its a 4.5" RE lift.
>
> Anyone have a favorite fender flare for the rubicon and does it really
> fit the Rubicon without drilling?
>
> Many thanks!
>

 

You *might* get away with 4" backspacing. Stock wheel can be used in the
front once you adjust the steering stops, but with that wide a tire in the
back you will contact the upper spring perch on the inside of the tire.

When we got my wife's TJL, the previous owner installed an RE 4.5" lift and
33x12.5's, but kept the stock wheels. After close inspection I noticed he
cut off or ground down just enough of the upper spring perch cup (maybe
3/4") to clear the tire, with no spring retention issues. Neat trick. I'll
put a link to a picture later.

Both my TJ's have stock flares, the Rubicon has wider flares from the
factory, but if you need wider I'd choose Bushwacker, I like the look of
them.

"nawt2smart" <nawt2smart@excite.com> wrote in message
news:1167890528.379352.38130@6g2000cwy.googlegroup s.com...
> Question on back space 33x12.5" x 15" for Rubicon. What is the best
> back space on the 15" rim? I want to go as far under the fender flares
> as possible without rubbing or scraping on control arms etc.
>
> BTW, its a 4.5" RE lift.
>
> Anyone have a favorite fender flare for the rubicon and does it really
> fit the Rubicon without drilling?
>
> Many thanks!
>

 

You *might* get away with 4" backspacing. Stock wheel can be used in the
front once you adjust the steering stops, but with that wide a tire in the
back you will contact the upper spring perch on the inside of the tire.

When we got my wife's TJL, the previous owner installed an RE 4.5" lift and
33x12.5's, but kept the stock wheels. After close inspection I noticed he
cut off or ground down just enough of the upper spring perch cup (maybe
3/4") to clear the tire, with no spring retention issues. Neat trick. I'll
put a link to a picture later.

Both my TJ's have stock flares, the Rubicon has wider flares from the
factory, but if you need wider I'd choose Bushwacker, I like the look of
them.

"nawt2smart" <nawt2smart@excite.com> wrote in message
news:1167890528.379352.38130@6g2000cwy.googlegroup s.com...
> Question on back space 33x12.5" x 15" for Rubicon. What is the best
> back space on the 15" rim? I want to go as far under the fender flares
> as possible without rubbing or scraping on control arms etc.
>
> BTW, its a 4.5" RE lift.
>
> Anyone have a favorite fender flare for the rubicon and does it really
> fit the Rubicon without drilling?
>
> Many thanks!
>

 

nawt2smart wrote:
> Question on back space 33x12.5" x 15" for Rubicon. What is the best
> back space on the 15" rim? I want to go as far under the fender flares
> as possible without rubbing or scraping on control arms etc.
>
> BTW, its a 4.5" RE lift.
>
> Anyone have a favorite fender flare for the rubicon and does it really
> fit the Rubicon without drilling?
>
> Many thanks!
>

4" to 3 5/8". I would go no more than 4" and not as far as 3.5". Pick
the rims you like and see what is available. Hopefully, you'll have a match.

I have the Bushwacker flares and like them OK. The claim that they are
UV stable is a lie, however. My Jeep is always garaged and they chalked
up in a year. Also, their hardware is chrome plated and you breach the
chrome when you first screw them in and the screw tops rust. Sucks. I
live in Texas (no salt) and like I said, it's garaged. I will eventually
replace them with stainless. For the price they charge, they should come
with stainless hardware. Yes, they are compatible with the rocker panels
on the Rubi. You just don't use the extra side pieces. Bestop's are NOT
compatible.

tw

--
__________________________________________________ ___________________
2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

 

nawt2smart wrote:
> Question on back space 33x12.5" x 15" for Rubicon. What is the best
> back space on the 15" rim? I want to go as far under the fender flares
> as possible without rubbing or scraping on control arms etc.
>
> BTW, its a 4.5" RE lift.
>
> Anyone have a favorite fender flare for the rubicon and does it really
> fit the Rubicon without drilling?
>
> Many thanks!
>

4" to 3 5/8". I would go no more than 4" and not as far as 3.5". Pick
the rims you like and see what is available. Hopefully, you'll have a match.

I have the Bushwacker flares and like them OK. The claim that they are
UV stable is a lie, however. My Jeep is always garaged and they chalked
up in a year. Also, their hardware is chrome plated and you breach the
chrome when you first screw them in and the screw tops rust. Sucks. I
live in Texas (no salt) and like I said, it's garaged. I will eventually
replace them with stainless. For the price they charge, they should come
with stainless hardware. Yes, they are compatible with the rocker panels
on the Rubi. You just don't use the extra side pieces. Bestop's are NOT
compatible.

tw

--
__________________________________________________ ___________________
2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

 

nawt2smart wrote:
> Question on back space 33x12.5" x 15" for Rubicon. What is the best
> back space on the 15" rim? I want to go as far under the fender flares
> as possible without rubbing or scraping on control arms etc.
>
> BTW, its a 4.5" RE lift.
>
> Anyone have a favorite fender flare for the rubicon and does it really
> fit the Rubicon without drilling?
>
> Many thanks!
>

4" to 3 5/8". I would go no more than 4" and not as far as 3.5". Pick
the rims you like and see what is available. Hopefully, you'll have a match.

I have the Bushwacker flares and like them OK. The claim that they are
UV stable is a lie, however. My Jeep is always garaged and they chalked
up in a year. Also, their hardware is chrome plated and you breach the
chrome when you first screw them in and the screw tops rust. Sucks. I
live in Texas (no salt) and like I said, it's garaged. I will eventually
replace them with stainless. For the price they charge, they should come
with stainless hardware. Yes, they are compatible with the rocker panels
on the Rubi. You just don't use the extra side pieces. Bestop's are NOT
compatible.

tw

--
__________________________________________________ ___________________
2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

 

7" flares - the Tomb Raider style, you can get those on Ebay for a pretty
decent price.



Kate

 

7" flares - the Tomb Raider style, you can get those on Ebay for a pretty
decent price.



Kate

 

7" flares - the Tomb Raider style, you can get those on Ebay for a pretty
decent price.



Kate