Bushwackers and Wheel Size

[Rymanrph]

I need some opinions guys. I've been driving the truck a lot more in an urban environment recently. I have another vehicle for sale right now and I'm working on finishing my '99 XJ to sell as well. So I could end up in the near future having only the Comanche to drive and I want to make it a little more livable. When I swapped from the black steel wheels to the Ravines I traded rubbing on the flares to rubbing on the control arms. I know I could easily swap the control arms out, but if I'm going to spend money on the truck, I want to see it. Besides I liked the wider look of the old steel wheels better.

 

The idea would be to sell the current wheels and another set in the garage and buy a lower offset set of aluminum wheels and Bushwacker flares. I know some don't like the Bushwackers for various reasons and they are expensive, but I think they look pretty good. My question is, what offset wheel should I be looking at for a 15x8 wheel on 31x10.5 tires? My old steel wheels had 4" of offset I think. I don't really like the tucked look that the stock wheels (and my current wheels) create, but I don't want to buy new flares and wheels and then still rub.

 

Any info or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Motion Offroad]

My opinion is that a 10.5" tire is not big (wide) enough for bushwackers.

 

Only way you could make it look halfway decent (in my opinion) is with a crazy backspacing of rims (2.5-3") and your just asking for issues with that offset...

[Rymanrph]

My opinion is that a 10.5" tire is not big (wide) enough for bushwackers.

 

Do you have the same opinion about the flat style flares? Because that would be a slightly cheaper option and they don't stick out as far do they?

[Motion Offroad]

Do you have the same opinion about the flat style flares? Because that would be a slightly cheaper option and they don't stick out as far do they?

Tire coverage is almost identical, the flat flares are just less "bulky".

 

And yes my opinion is the same.

 

Here is a pic of a 15x8 rim (3.5" Backspacing) with a 32x11.5" tire with the flat flares. This would be as "little" of a tire I'd run width wise and the BS of the rim is what makes up for it (in my opinion).

 

 

[Rymanrph]

My long term goal is long arms and 33x12.50s, so maybe I'll just deal with it until then, or until I sell my Cherokee and can justify the upgrade expense.

 

Long arms, 33s, new tires, new wheels, bushwackers, re-gear, track bar, springs..... control arms are starting to sound really good.

[Dirteatr717]

PLEASE don't throw those ugly plastic things on your truck! :ack: The flat flares I could see looking alright with 33s JMHO

-Nick

[Exxon Valdez Jeep]

I think the only way bushwackers look *okay* is on fullwidths. Get some 1.25" spacers and keep the ravines. The ravines are pimp.

[Rymanrph]

I think the only way bushwackers look *okay* is on fullwidths. Get some 1.25" spacers and keep the ravines. The ravines are pimp.

 

My only issue with spacer is my tire company. I would trust a high quality hub-centric spacer, but Discount Tire does not. I get free lifetime balance and rotations there, but they won't even touch the vehicle if it has spacers on it. I can rotate my own tires, but I like to have them re-balanced when I have them rotated. Besides, I'd have less out of pocket by selling the Ravines and buying new wheels compared to buying spacers (maybe. It would be close).

[Rymanrph]

Ok, here is another idea for consideration: what about a 15x10 wheel? I have a brand new ProComp wheel that I've never used in my attic, so I could get three more to match, but I guess at that point I would really need to step up to a 12.50 tire for a 10" wide wheel. I'm going to sell my XJ, but I didn't really want to drop $3k upgrading to long arms and 33s right now.