Are KO2 tires okay?

[P1W]

I have a 4 inch suspension lift and 4.56 gears. Presently run Toyo MTs 295/70R17 (load range E), which the manufacturer 33.5. They measure 32.5 installed (ground to peak) on my Jeep.

I’m leaning towards load range C, KO2s (315/70r17) which are 34.4s. I’ve seen some members post installed measurements of of these tires in the neighborhood of 33 and 33.25.

Its common knowledge that a 4 inch lift is fine with “33s”. But these are considered 34.4s. If I go with these KO2s and they end up measuring between 33 and 33.5 on my Jeep will I experience any rubbing with my 4 inch lift?

 

[Mr. Bills]

You are essentially going from a 33 to a wider 35 inch tire. [33.3 x 11.6 to 34.4 x 12.4]

That is nearly the same as the commonly used 315/75R16 "metric 35", which typically measures 34.6 x 12.4, and also the commonly used 35x12.50R15 flotation tire .

The answer to your question will therefore be the same as answers to the question "Will 35's rub with my 4" lift?" Tenths of inches difference in tire sizes won't change the answer.

The answer will depend in large part on the backspacing of your wheels. 3.75-4.0" backspacing is preferred, although with 4" you may need to adjust steering stops. Backspacing greater than 4.5" will definitely rub with 12.5" wide tires. Backspacing in between is a "maybe, it depends on . . . ."

 

[deadbeat son]

You are essentially going from a 33 to a wider 35 inch tire. [33.3 x 11.6 to 34.4 x 12.4]

That is nearly the same as the commonly used 315/75R16 "metric 35", which typically measures 34.6 x 12.4, and also the commonly used 35x12.50R15 flotation tire .

The answer to your question will therefore be the same as answers to the question "Will 35's rub with my 4" lift?" Tenths of inches difference in tire sizes won't change the answer.

The answer will depend in large part on the backspacing of your wheels. 3.75-4.0" backspacing is preferred, although with 4" you may need to adjust steering stops. Backspacing greater than 4.5" will definitely rub with 12.5" wide tires. Backspacing in between is a "maybe, it depends on . . . ."

Exactly. A “33” is to 33 inches as the 315/70-17 is to 35”. Meaning they fall about 1/2” short in actual measurement without the vehicle’s weight on the tire. They’re even shorter on the vehicle.

When someone says a “33” will fit, they mean a tire that is stamped 33 on the sidewall, not a tire that measures 33” mounted on the vehicle with its weight compressing the tire.

 

[P1W]

Understood.

I wasn’t trying to quantify that the 315s were somehow 33s because the installed diameter is 33”-33-1/4”. I was trying to focus on the real world difference in diameter between my tires and the KO2s, which appears to be only 1/2” -3/4”.

 

[Mr. Bills]

I thought you wanted to know if the larger tires would rub with your 4" lift? Wasn't that the question in Post #1?

If that is your ultimate issue, the increase in tire diameter in this particular instance is less important than the increase in section width and the backspacing of your wheels.