Rub issues upgrading to 37’s

StreetNDirt

Jeep Newb
First, I did a search and didn’t find anything on this question. :)

I’ve got a 2014 JK Rubicon 2 door. 3.5” Rubicon Express Superflex lift with fully adjustable control arms, MC Overline fenders. I’m currently running slightly larger than stock 32” tires and stock rims with 2” spacers and trying to preempt any rub issues. I want to install 37” tires and new rims and am looking at clearance around my current 32’s. Since I’m going up 5” on the diameter I’m looking for 2.5” or more around the outside of my current tires. The only place that looks close is on the front tires when the front of the tire is turned away from the body, the rear side of the tire that’s turned in is looking like it’s barely going to clear the 2.5”. And, if it hits it’s looking like it will contact the outside diameter of the tire so reducing the steering angle a small amount doesn’t seem like it would help. Am I looking at this wrong? Anyone seen this specifically? Since I have plenty of clearance on the front side of the tire the only adjustment I can think of would be to adjust the control arms slightly longer pushing everything forward slightly.
I routinely overthink this stuff so I could be worrying about nothing. :p
 

Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
First, I did a search and didn’t find anything on this question. :)

I’ve got a 2014 JK Rubicon 2 door. 3.5” Rubicon Express Superflex lift with fully adjustable control arms, MC Overline fenders. I’m currently running slightly larger than stock 32” tires and stock rims with 2” spacers and trying to preempt any rub issues. I want to install 37” tires and new rims and am looking at clearance around my current 32’s. Since I’m going up 5” on the diameter I’m looking for 2.5” or more around the outside of my current tires. The only place that looks close is on the front tires when the front of the tire is turned away from the body, the rear side of the tire that’s turned in is looking like it’s barely going to clear the 2.5”. And, if it hits it’s looking like it will contact the outside diameter of the tire so reducing the steering angle a small amount doesn’t seem like it would help. Am I looking at this wrong? Anyone seen this specifically? Since I have plenty of clearance on the front side of the tire the only adjustment I can think of would be to adjust the control arms slightly longer pushing everything forward slightly.
I routinely overthink this stuff so I could be worrying about nothing. :p
I think you will be just fine. You may have a bit of rub when steering, but that is common. At full turn, when backing up I will rub a bit on the frame. Depending on how wide of a 37 you go to could affect the amount of rub. Mine are 13.50's so I figured I would have some issues. I do have my front control arms extended a bit to push the axle forward some. Another thing to note is that I ran 37's with no lift for almost 2 years on Slabs with 3.5" of backspace. No real rubbing issues. Just get the right amount of bump stops for up travel and you should be just fine.
 
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