So as I was working along today, I came across a new problem. I finished up my disc brake conversion, adjusted parking brakes, then decided to put wheels on. Well, my factory wheels will not mount without pressing into the calipers. I confirmed this by partially installing the wheels and rotated. The outside edge of the calipers scrape the wheel. Pretty sure if I torque the wheels down I will end up tearing the whole thing up when I roll. I haven’t measured the inside diameter of the wheel yet, but was wondering if steel rims or aftermarket aluminum wheels might have a little more clearance? Or, would I be better off just getting 16” wheels?
Wheels and disc brake conversion
- Thread starter CovertRat
- Start date
I recently installed a disc brake conversion and I believe the minimum rim size is 16".
I am running the JK 17" rims with 255/75/17 AT tires; the clearances are fine, but I am using the conversion wheel spacers so I can install the JK rims.
I am running the JK 17" rims with 255/75/17 AT tires; the clearances are fine, but I am using the conversion wheel spacers so I can install the JK rims.
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The kit I installed was the Black Magic conversion kit and already had the 17" rims with 255/75x17 installed.
Be advised that you should consider installing wheel studs that are 3/8" longer if you end up using wheel adapters.
The rotor mounting surface is thicker than the mounting surface of drums.
Be advised that you should consider installing wheel studs that are 3/8" longer if you end up using wheel adapters.
The rotor mounting surface is thicker than the mounting surface of drums.
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None right now! 
Seriously though, I have the factory Canyon 15” rims. I don’t really want to go a larger rim (16” or 17”) unless it’s necessary. I’m about to go makeup a 1” spacer and see if that clears it. That way I’ll know what I’m looking at.
Seriously though, I have the factory Canyon 15” rims. I don’t really want to go a larger rim (16” or 17”) unless it’s necessary. I’m about to go makeup a 1” spacer and see if that clears it. That way I’ll know what I’m looking at.
I'm running a 15x8" wheel with 3.625" backspacing and disc brakes on a Dana 44 and the calipers clear fine. I'm not 100% sure where the disc brakes came from. I think if you fab up something like a 1" spacer to check clearance, you will find that they clear and you just need a new wheel with better backspacing, something close to 4" is ideal on a TJ IMHO.
Well, I was hoping to avoid spacers. A 1.25” spacer would be plenty to clear. If a steel rim was wider in the barrel then I could do that instead. The taper starts at about 12.75” where the caliper scrapes and goes to right at 14” at the edge of the rim. This is what I used as a spacer just to see.
EzPeezy
TJ Enthusiast
Spacers would probably do the trick but I'll recommend AGAINST them all day. Get some wheels that clear the brakes unless you're okay with checking the torque on the spacer lugnuts before every big trip.
Nah, like I said I would rather not use spacers. Not afraid of them, I just don’t care for them. I really need to find a local that has some wheels on site so I can measure the barrel. Hate to order 15” rims in and they not clear. Was thinking I would have a better chance with the steel rims, but would rather have aluminum.
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