15 inch rims on WJ???
#16
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Hell, CA
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
I am what some may call a greybeard, but untill last saturday
I had never had a Jeep under the shade tree. That can NOT
be said again. 2002 Grand Cherokee .........
I am here to learn from jeep owners, wrenches and modifiers.
What I do have is a set of semi-off road tires in 235-65-15
that was on another 4x4 for less than 3000 highway miles.
The tires rolling are touring tires, mostly highway, quiet
hi-milage. They are 235-65-17.........So I snuck on here
to see if I could learn a little bit. One post stated a 99
Cherokee was running 15's without a problem. What about
2002 or 2003 or 2004. I have already found that Chyrysler
made driveline changes, although minamly from year to year.
What 15 inch rims will work on a 2002, IF ANY? Maybe the post
that NO 15 will work without clearance issues was from
experience on a 2002, 3 or 2004.....Just askin'.
I'm the newkid so please send a PM if helpful. Thanks.
I had never had a Jeep under the shade tree. That can NOT
be said again. 2002 Grand Cherokee .........
I am here to learn from jeep owners, wrenches and modifiers.
What I do have is a set of semi-off road tires in 235-65-15
that was on another 4x4 for less than 3000 highway miles.
The tires rolling are touring tires, mostly highway, quiet
hi-milage. They are 235-65-17.........So I snuck on here
to see if I could learn a little bit. One post stated a 99
Cherokee was running 15's without a problem. What about
2002 or 2003 or 2004. I have already found that Chyrysler
made driveline changes, although minamly from year to year.
What 15 inch rims will work on a 2002, IF ANY? Maybe the post
that NO 15 will work without clearance issues was from
experience on a 2002, 3 or 2004.....Just askin'.
I'm the newkid so please send a PM if helpful. Thanks.
WJ steering/brakes is a good upgrade for XJ/MJ. They say you must use a 16"+ rim, however there are people that run aftermarket rims with less BS than factory. So with this and maybe some "clearancing" of TRE's can be done.
You do realize that 235's on a 15" rim are going to be short than 235's on a 1" rim, correct? The tread will be the same width but they will be shorter in height.
I would recommend selling the tires and get something thats the same size or taller.
#17
#19
Old fart with a wrench
I don't know about the 99s, but my 2000 WJ has dual piston Teves cailpers and 16" rims. The brake rotors are HUGE compared to my ZJ's. I could find aftermarket wheels with the right bolt pattern, but they won't clear the brakes. I had to part with a BRAND NEW set of tires from my ZJ when I bought the WJ. I was pissed! I had to lay out ANOTHER $400 for 16s.
My WJ is a base model with only the 245 tire option. It doesn't even have power seats! (4.0 with NP242)
My WJ is a base model with only the 245 tire option. It doesn't even have power seats! (4.0 with NP242)
#20
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: northern Nevada
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Year: 2002
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 HO
work, with-out a-lot of hassel. Thanks for the answers AND quick too.
I was hoping for an easy swap.
Ain't gona happen. Looks like I sell the other
4x4, with or with-out the
extra set of tires..........
Anyone on this thread had any experience with
brush-guards and front bumper tow-bars. I want
both on the 2002. Most towbars spec sheets
state "With-Out guard."
First priorities. My local wrench is waiting
for a new waterpump. Had new hoses.
Hoses weren't leaking. The pump was.
Need to keep it cool.
Thanks again.
#21
Old fart with a wrench
AGAIN on my 2000 WJ. It came without front towhooks. There is a kit to install them but it comes with brackets that get pop-rivited to the sheet metal next to the radiator. Not what I would call strong. I was thinking about rear tow hooks mounted to homemade brackets mounted in the trailer hitch bolt holes, or just adding a hitch although I don't have the tow package's other things like added cooling and lighting. Right now, there is no way to tow my jeep or anything else except by crawling under it and hooking the axles. Not my idea of a good time in snow or mud!
I dread the thoughts of running into something with the stock plastic coated foam bumpers on my jeep. They don't seem to do anything except look good. I looked into a front brush guard to mount some fog lights on, but didn't find anything that didn't look weird. It seems the WJ is more of a passenger car than an off-road truck. It's good unless you run into something or get hung up.
Just a point. I have 245/70R16 General Grabber AT2s on it. This morning I lost my cool with another driver and nailed the throttle from a stop. It just launched! Didn't spin the tires at all! I mean, I've only got the 4.0 but still!
My ZJ would have spun my Firestones with no problem! Is the WJ that much heavier than the ZJ? I mean, it felt like a catapult shot, but didn't spin. Suprising.
I dread the thoughts of running into something with the stock plastic coated foam bumpers on my jeep. They don't seem to do anything except look good. I looked into a front brush guard to mount some fog lights on, but didn't find anything that didn't look weird. It seems the WJ is more of a passenger car than an off-road truck. It's good unless you run into something or get hung up.
Just a point. I have 245/70R16 General Grabber AT2s on it. This morning I lost my cool with another driver and nailed the throttle from a stop. It just launched! Didn't spin the tires at all! I mean, I've only got the 4.0 but still!
My ZJ would have spun my Firestones with no problem! Is the WJ that much heavier than the ZJ? I mean, it felt like a catapult shot, but didn't spin. Suprising.
#22
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Hell, CA
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Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
AGAIN on my 2000 WJ. It came without front towhooks. There is a kit to install them but it comes with brackets that get pop-rivited to the sheet metal next to the radiator. Not what I would call strong. I was thinking about rear tow hooks mounted to homemade brackets mounted in the trailer hitch bolt holes, or just adding a hitch although I don't have the tow package's other things like added cooling and lighting. Right now, there is no way to tow my jeep or anything else except by crawling under it and hooking the axles. Not my idea of a good time in snow or mud!
I dread the thoughts of running into something with the stock plastic coated foam bumpers on my jeep. They don't seem to do anything except look good. I looked into a front brush guard to mount some fog lights on, but didn't find anything that didn't look weird. It seems the WJ is more of a passenger car than an off-road truck. It's good unless you run into something or get hung up.
Just a point. I have 245/70R16 General Grabber AT2s on it. This morning I lost my cool with another driver and nailed the throttle from a stop. It just launched! Didn't spin the tires at all! I mean, I've only got the 4.0 but still!
My ZJ would have spun my Firestones with no problem! Is the WJ that much heavier than the ZJ? I mean, it felt like a catapult shot, but didn't spin. Suprising.
I dread the thoughts of running into something with the stock plastic coated foam bumpers on my jeep. They don't seem to do anything except look good. I looked into a front brush guard to mount some fog lights on, but didn't find anything that didn't look weird. It seems the WJ is more of a passenger car than an off-road truck. It's good unless you run into something or get hung up.
Just a point. I have 245/70R16 General Grabber AT2s on it. This morning I lost my cool with another driver and nailed the throttle from a stop. It just launched! Didn't spin the tires at all! I mean, I've only got the 4.0 but still!
My ZJ would have spun my Firestones with no problem! Is the WJ that much heavier than the ZJ? I mean, it felt like a catapult shot, but didn't spin. Suprising.
#23
Old fart with a wrench
They were Firestone Winterforce which I thought were great in the snow, but lacked traction in the dry. They were also soft and didn't wear well in the dry.
The Grabbers are designated as an all season tire and are wearing well so far. They bite like bit bulls! I just wanted to scare the Mustanger sitting beside me at the light. He had two babes in the car with him and he thought he was hot s***. I did surprize him, but of course he blew by me! (Chuckle)
Last winter I was pushing snow up to the headlights with these tires. I think I'll buy another set when it comes time.
The Grabbers are designated as an all season tire and are wearing well so far. They bite like bit bulls! I just wanted to scare the Mustanger sitting beside me at the light. He had two babes in the car with him and he thought he was hot s***. I did surprize him, but of course he blew by me! (Chuckle)
Last winter I was pushing snow up to the headlights with these tires. I think I'll buy another set when it comes time.
Last edited by dave1123; 06-06-2013 at 10:01 AM.
#24
AGAIN on my 2000 WJ. It came without front towhooks. There is a kit to install them but it comes with brackets that get pop-rivited to the sheet metal next to the radiator. Not what I would call strong. I was thinking about rear tow hooks mounted to homemade brackets mounted in the trailer hitch bolt holes, or just adding a hitch although I don't have the tow package's other things like added cooling and lighting. Right now, there is no way to tow my jeep or anything else except by crawling under it and hooking the axles. Not my idea of a good time in snow or mud!
I dread the thoughts of running into something with the stock plastic coated foam bumpers on my jeep. They don't seem to do anything except look good. I looked into a front brush guard to mount some fog lights on, but didn't find anything that didn't look weird. It seems the WJ is more of a passenger car than an off-road truck. It's good unless you run into something or get hung up.
Just a point. I have 245/70R16 General Grabber AT2s on it. This morning I lost my cool with another driver and nailed the throttle from a stop. It just launched! Didn't spin the tires at all! I mean, I've only got the 4.0 but still!
My ZJ would have spun my Firestones with no problem! Is the WJ that much heavier than the ZJ? I mean, it felt like a catapult shot, but didn't spin. Suprising.
I dread the thoughts of running into something with the stock plastic coated foam bumpers on my jeep. They don't seem to do anything except look good. I looked into a front brush guard to mount some fog lights on, but didn't find anything that didn't look weird. It seems the WJ is more of a passenger car than an off-road truck. It's good unless you run into something or get hung up.
Just a point. I have 245/70R16 General Grabber AT2s on it. This morning I lost my cool with another driver and nailed the throttle from a stop. It just launched! Didn't spin the tires at all! I mean, I've only got the 4.0 but still!
My ZJ would have spun my Firestones with no problem! Is the WJ that much heavier than the ZJ? I mean, it felt like a catapult shot, but didn't spin. Suprising.
#26
Old fart with a wrench
You know, I went back and visited this old thread because I wanted to see why someone would bother bringing this up AGAIN.
Question; Is it possible that some 99s didn't have the new dual piston brakes? That would explain a lot.
Question; Is it possible that some 99s didn't have the new dual piston brakes? That would explain a lot.
#28
Old fart with a wrench
Okay, When i bought my 2000 WJ, I checked both Dodge and Ford truck rims for fit. The Ford, of course, had 1/2" lugs so the holes were too big. The Dodge fit the pattern, but the drop-center section of the rim (designed from tire removal) hit my calipers. At this point, I gave up. They may clear the Akabono calipers, but definitely not the Teves. These were steel rims, which are thinner than alloy, of course.
I'm not trying to beat the dog, but short of wheel spacers, I don't see the 15's ever fitting the WJ. Spacers tend to destroy wheel bearings.
I found this very same problem with the Dodge Caravan. I had a 96. I bought a 97 for parts. The 96 had 14's on it, the 97 had 15's. NONE of the rolling parts fit!
I'm not trying to beat the dog, but short of wheel spacers, I don't see the 15's ever fitting the WJ. Spacers tend to destroy wheel bearings.
I found this very same problem with the Dodge Caravan. I had a 96. I bought a 97 for parts. The 96 had 14's on it, the 97 had 15's. NONE of the rolling parts fit!
#29
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Join Date: Jan 2011
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Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Okay, When i bought my 2000 WJ, I checked both Dodge and Ford truck rims for fit. The Ford, of course, had 1/2" lugs so the holes were too big. The Dodge fit the pattern, but the drop-center section of the rim (designed from tire removal) hit my calipers. At this point, I gave up. They may clear the Akabono calipers, but definitely not the Teves. These were steel rims, which are thinner than alloy, of course.
I'm not trying to beat the dog, but short of wheel spacers, I don't see the 15's ever fitting the WJ. Spacers tend to destroy wheel bearings.
I found this very same problem with the Dodge Caravan. I had a 96. I bought a 97 for parts. The 96 had 14's on it, the 97 had 15's. NONE of the rolling parts fit!
I'm not trying to beat the dog, but short of wheel spacers, I don't see the 15's ever fitting the WJ. Spacers tend to destroy wheel bearings.
I found this very same problem with the Dodge Caravan. I had a 96. I bought a 97 for parts. The 96 had 14's on it, the 97 had 15's. NONE of the rolling parts fit!
I short you have to buy aftermarket 15's. People use aftermarket 15's on WJ's and JK's all the time.
Also 15's clear Teves alot better than Akabono. Sometimes you have to grind the ribs on the passenger Akabono to fit some brand 15's
Last edited by Boost Happy; 08-10-2013 at 01:29 PM.
#30
Old fart with a wrench
I thought about that, but the price of new wheels was more than a new set of tires, So I just caved and let my 15s go with the ZJ. The Firestones only cost me $50 each mounted.