Why do my 30" tires rub?

[SSTJ]

I have 30" BFG KO2s on an otherwise stock 97 SE. When they were mounted on my American Racing rims, they did not rub. I recently moved them over to some LJ Ravines, and now they rub at full turn. I know that the Ravines have about 1.25" more backspacing, and of course that difference was clearly visible when I made the swap. But still, these are 30" tires on OEM wheels. Should they be rubbing? Is there some difference between the TJ and the LJ that I'm overlooking?

 

[Kid Mechanic]

Are the steering stops still in place?

 

[SSTJ]

Are the steering stops still in place?

Hmm, I don't actually know. On what kind of occasion would they have been removed? I've owned the TJ for most of its life.

EDIT: Found this thread. Yes, I'm 99% sure that those have not been tampered with. Will double check when home.

Any other ideas?

 

[Kid Mechanic]

Just wanting to check the easy stuff first. They could have broken off, got screwed in or just fell out.

Located on the knuckle, its basically just threaded in place to stop over actuation.

 

[SSTJ]

Yep, steering stops are still there, looking fine. Anyone else have an idea as to why my 30" tires would rub after being mounted on stock Ravine wheels?

 

[PauoaTJ]

I can not say why yours rub, but I can tell you that KO2's on stock rims on my stock 97 SE also rubbed. A couple washers per side on the stops fixed it up. I guess I lost some turning radius, but I do not really notice.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Deeper tread and thicker side lugs than regular tires.

 

[SSTJ]

Thanks all. Yep, makes sense that the KO2s have deeper tread and thicker side-lugs. I get it now.

@PauoaTJ , welcome to the Forum! Are you still driving a 97 SE like I am?

 

[nondem]

My stock Jeep had 31 inch tires on it when I got it. What I don't understand is why it doesn't rub/scrub at all - ever. Even articulating off-road
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sc7zwbZ8vYV3v4HL6

 

[SSTJ]

My stock Jeep had 31 inch tires on it when I got it. What I don't understand is why it doesn't rub/scrub at all - ever. Even articulating off-road
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sc7zwbZ8vYV3v4HL6

I guess those aftermarket wheels have a little less back-spacing than stock wheels? Plus, those tires don't look too aggressive, so that helps.

 

[SvtLdr]

My stock Jeep had 31 inch tires on it when I got it. What I don't understand is why it doesn't rub/scrub at all - ever. Even articulating off-road
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sc7zwbZ8vYV3v4HL6

It looks like you have the same wheels that I have (Ultra Nomad). They have 3.75" of backspacing.

 

[PauoaTJ]

@PauoaTJ , welcome to the Forum! Are you still driving a 97 SE like I am?

Thanks!

Yes I am. My son & I picked up a broken down '97 SE, 30RH in Lapis Blue, toed her back to our house and have been restoring her back to full health. She had a clogged radiator and blown head gasket amongst other issues. But she is driving all around the island now and back having fun.

 

[SSTJ]

Thanks!

Yes I am. My son & I picked up a broken down '97 SE, 30RH in Lapis Blue, toed her back to our house and have been restoring her back to full health. She had a clogged radiator and blown head gasket amongst other issues. But she is driving all around the island now and back having fun.

Nice! Well, check out this thread, and let me know of anything I should add.

Do you have a build thread?