Metmknice

If you can find aftermarket rims with enough backspacing.. 3.5" at a min. (vs stock which I believe is around 5" for WJ's) then you can run a 15" rim.
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.

Xj moo

I'm sorry to tell u that this is not true 5x5 and 5x5.5 are two separate bolt patterns and the wj is a 5.5 I own one I know

Xj moo

And a 15" wheel will fit as long as it it has a 4" backspacing if not it won't clear your rotor

dave1123

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)

desert skipper

OK so I'm gona get pissed too, cause these tires aren't goin' to
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.

dave1123

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.

Metmknice

I used to think wheel spin was where it was at. When you WANT to do it, it is a good thing. But tires HOOKED and went. Not a bad thing. Apparently those AT2's grip better than whatever Firestone's you had. The WJ is heavier but not a whole lot IIRC.

dave1123

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.

Trxgedy

I love my wj. I have an 02, started a build thread. Pieces for the wj are hard to find. At least pieces that I feel look good. And ya those plastic bumpers font do much. I have a hefty dent in the front one from a deer. (He ran into me I was almost stand still). If you find any good bull bars or brush guards that look good let me know. I'm debating on just replacing the bumper with one that has a bull bar attached.

Boost Happy

No, WJ is 5x5. A lot of misinformation in this old thread.

dave1123

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.

Boost Happy

All 99 had dual piston teves calipers. 03-04 have alkebono

dave1123

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!

Boost Happy

No OEM 15in has ever been made in 5x5 that will fit a WJ. 5X5 is simply a very uncommon pattern that was only used on 2wd full size chevy pickups and a few different GM full size cars in the 70's. It wasnt till the WJ it became a widely used pattern again.

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

dave1123

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.