summerinmaine Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 I'm looking to replace the rims and tires on my truck, but this is just an interim issue so I'm looking for the cheapest solution (i.e. used) that will get me on the road for the next phase of my reconstruction project. However, I'm having no luck in sourcing 15" rims/tires and am only finding 17-18" sets at reasonable prices. What issues would I face if trying to fit something like this? My truck has what was originally a 3.5" lift, but this might have "settled" a bit since it was fitted ~15 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 28, 2023 Share Posted January 28, 2023 wheel bolt pattern and overall tire size are the limiting factors you're going to run into. the 17/18" measurement itself isn't a hindrance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted January 29, 2023 Share Posted January 29, 2023 It might be good to see how high your lift currently sits. There is a thread about this in the diy section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summerinmaine Posted January 29, 2023 Author Share Posted January 29, 2023 Thanks for the replies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billabob Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Wrangler take-offs can be had for super cheap but keep in mind that you'll need adapters which can be costly depending on the quality you choose. I scored my set for $50 and they could pass as new. I believe most JKs came with 255s which is roughly the limit for you 3" lift. I'm running 245/70-17s on 3" lift and get no rubbing whatsoever, not on the LCAs nor the fenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 55 minutes ago, Billabob said: Wrangler take-offs can be had for super cheap but keep in mind that you'll need adapters which can be costly depending on the quality you choose. I scored my set for $50 and they could pass as new. I believe most JKs came with 255s which is roughly the limit for you 3" lift. I'm running 245/70-17s on 3" lift and get no rubbing whatsoever, not on the LCAs nor the fenders. Any pics of how that sits? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billabob Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Pretty comfortably. I will be going down to 1-2” of lift before the summer but others have reported no rub even at stock height. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armyvet25 Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armyvet25 Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 Also, some ford rangers explorers have same bolt pattern 15's and almost identical offset Craigslist and Marketplace can be your friend here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 For a cheap temporary solution? Find a set of KJ 16” wheels and a used set of tires in the 225/70R16 to 265/75R16 range. Maybe keep an eye out at junkyards, some will leave wheel and tire sets out front. When I was getting oversized winters for my ZJ that’s what I ended up doing, I picked 265/70r16 because that was used on Chevy half tons and Colorados so I figured I’d be able to find them for a while yet. But I bought new tires then. I’ve pretty much given up on looking for used tires myself. Seemed like everyone wanted more than half what new tires were worth for 5+ year old tires with less than half tread left the last few times I looked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75sv1 Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 The later XJs did use the 'KJ' 16" rims on them as an option. I do run a set with 31's on them. Also, they fit over WJ Big Brakes. I also run 17" rims on a 4.5 lifted XJ. The front I used WJ hub bearings. On the rear I am using spacers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 The XJ and KJ had similar wheels but not identical. Offset’s different. The KJ wheels sit slightly inboard compared to the XJ, by maybe 1/4” I don’t remember specifically. For me that was ideal because it means less salt spray on the side of the Jeep, but some might not want that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZLAJeep Posted January 30, 2023 Share Posted January 30, 2023 We picked up some TJ take offs (wheels and tires) from the local 4x4 shop for $450. Brought them home and noticed the wheels have "Ford" stamped on them, so not Jeep wheels, but they'll work. Haven't put them on anything yet. So try a 4x4 shop for take offs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summerinmaine Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 On 1/30/2023 at 5:51 AM, armyvet25 said: Thanks for this. Looks like it would be very rare to find 17-18" rims that fit the Comanche 5/4.5 lug bolt pattern. So that should simplify my search. And for some other comments, I have tried our one local salvage yard that allegedly might have some XJ/MJ rimes and tires, but they no longer sell directly nor appear to be interested in selling anything less than a major drive train or vehicle body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armyvet25 Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 I will tell you this, I've seen some TJ rims need a spacer before fitting some XJ axles, some aluminum TJ rims had a lip inside the center hole, but fit on the TJ, sounds weird right? The rim measured 70mm and the center hub (XJ) was 72mm, I either had to grind out the aluminum inside the wheel 2mm or use an adapter. Maybe they weren't true TJ wheels, but was told they were. pic below of wheel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 TJ Ravine wheels in a 15x8. The centre bore should be 71.5mm. They’re a tight fit from factory, and it doesn’t take much corrosion to make the fit tighter. I usually wire brush and then wipe some antiseize around the hub surface when I mount the wheels to try to prevent that from happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armyvet25 Posted February 2, 2023 Share Posted February 2, 2023 I'm not worried about-em, long gone on the XJ I traded to get my MJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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