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- Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ 1993 to 1998 Tires General Information and Specs
Important information to help you understand your Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Browse all: Wheels and Tires
All Lift & Tire questions go here!!!
CF Veteran
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Newbie
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just bought an RE 3.5 Superflex and am wondering what all else I am going to need to finish the job that's not included in the kit. I heard around and by reading the directions that some extra steps may be required(shims, swapping rear shock mounts etc.) Wondering if that goes for all or most jeeps and if there's more than that
CF Veteran
Just bought an RE 3.5 Superflex and am wondering what all else I am going to need to finish the job that's not included in the kit. I heard around and by reading the directions that some extra steps may be required(shims, swapping rear shock mounts etc.) Wondering if that goes for all or most jeeps and if there's more than that
Newbie
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 l6
Tire size
I wanna put a 3.5" lift on my 87 xj. What's the biggest tire that would fit without any rub? I don't wanna have to cut or trim anything. Also, what brand lift should I get?
Moderator of Jeeps
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Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
I strongly recommend doing some research to learn what each component does before you buy anything. That way you'll understand the changes you're making to the vehicle.
Senior Member
hi guys i heard that rims come in different widths and i dont really know how true that is and if so what the ins/outs of it are. can someone clarify this for me? also, if you happen to know and rims do come in different widths could you also educate me on the situations which one size is better than the other?
No, I don't lick fish.
hi guys i heard that rims come in different widths and i dont really know how true that is and if so what the ins/outs of it are. can someone clarify this for me? also, if you happen to know and rims do come in different widths could you also educate me on the situations which one size is better than the other?
As far as the aftermarket goes.... well... it just depends on the manufacturer as to what they offer.
Moderator of Jeeps
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Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
hi guys i heard that rims come in different widths and i dont really know how true that is and if so what the ins/outs of it are. can someone clarify this for me? also, if you happen to know and rims do come in different widths could you also educate me on the situations which one size is better than the other?
1) Diameter. Factory wheels are 15" (except Icons, which are 16)
2) Width. As our friend Basslicks said before me, most factory wheels are 7" wide.
3) Bolt Pattern. This determines the number and positions of the mounting holes for the lug nuts. All factory Cherokee wheels (and several other models) have a 5x4.5 (or 5x114.3) bolt pattern.
4) Backspacing or Offset. This is a measurement that tells you how far the wheel will stick out once mounted. Offset is the measurement in millimeters of how far the wheel mounting surface (WMS) is from the middle of the wheel's width. In the Jeep community, we use the Backspacing (BS) measurement. BS is the measurement in inches of how far the WMS is from the inside lip of the wheel. Most factory wheels have 5.25" BS.
Overall, most factory wheels are 15x7 with 5.25" BS on a 5x4.5 pattern. Some factory wheels are 15x8 or 16x7. You can see a full list of the factory options here:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f177/...opedia-320730/
When it comes to choosing the right wheel size, you first need to determine what tire size will be mounted on it.
1) The diameters must be the same between the wheel and the tire. No exceptions.
2) Width is a topic that can be debated. The general consensus is this: Tires measuring from stock to 10.5" wide belong on a 7-8" wide wheel. Tires with a 12.5" width are best on an 8" wide wheel if you go offroad because the narrower wheel will keep a tight hold on the tire's bead, but a 10" wheel will also work with that 12.5" wide tire. Tires from 13.5-14.5" wide should be on a 10" wide wheel.
3) The bolt pattern must match your vehicle. Some companies sell adapters to mate certain combinations of different patters (5x4.5 - 5x5 is most common), but you will find varied opinions about them. If it's an option, it's always best to get a wheel that fits correctly without adapters.
4) Backspacing is subjective. Most of us run between 3.5-4" of backspacing on an 8" wide wheel, but there are quite a few options here.
Last edited by NewKindOfClown; 01-21-2017 at 12:05 PM.
Senior Member
Four important measurements when it comes to wheels:
1) Diameter. Factory wheels are 15" (except Icons, which are 16)
2) Width. As our friend Basslicks said before me, most factory wheels are 7" wide.
3) Bolt Pattern. This determines the number and positions of the mounting holes for the lug nuts. All factory Cherokee wheels (and several other models) have a 5x4.5 (or 5x114.3) bolt pattern.
4) Backspacing or Offset. This is a measurement that tells you how far the wheel will stick out once mounted. Offset is the measurement in millimeters of how far the wheel mounting surface (WMS) is from the middle of the wheel's width. In the Jeep community, we use the Backspacing (BS) measurement. BS is the measurement in inches of how far the WMS is from the inside lip of the wheel. Most factory wheels have 5.25" BS.
Overall, most factory wheels are 15x7 with 5.25" BS on a 5x4.5 pattern. Some factory wheels are 15x8 or 16x7. You can see a full list of the factory options here:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f177/...opedia-320730/
When it comes to choosing the right wheel size, you first need to determine what tire size will be mounted on it.
1) The diameters must be the same between the wheel and the tire. No exceptions.
2) Width is a topic that can be debated. The general consensus is this: Tires measuring from stock to 10.5" wide belong on a 7-8" wide wheel. Tires with a 12.5" width are best on an 8" wide wheel if you go offroad because the narrower wheel will keep a tight hold on the tire's bead, but a 10" wheel will also work with that 12.5" wide tire. Tires from 13.5-14.5" wide should be on a 10" wide wheel.
3) The bolt pattern must match your vehicle. Some companies sell adapters to mate certain combinations of different patters (5x4.5 - 5x5 is most common), but you will find varied opinions about them. If it's an option, it's always best to get a wheel that fits correctly without adapters.
4) Backspacing is subjective. Most of us run between 3.5-4" of backspacing on an 8" wide wheel, but there are quite a few options here.
1) Diameter. Factory wheels are 15" (except Icons, which are 16)
2) Width. As our friend Basslicks said before me, most factory wheels are 7" wide.
3) Bolt Pattern. This determines the number and positions of the mounting holes for the lug nuts. All factory Cherokee wheels (and several other models) have a 5x4.5 (or 5x114.3) bolt pattern.
4) Backspacing or Offset. This is a measurement that tells you how far the wheel will stick out once mounted. Offset is the measurement in millimeters of how far the wheel mounting surface (WMS) is from the middle of the wheel's width. In the Jeep community, we use the Backspacing (BS) measurement. BS is the measurement in inches of how far the WMS is from the inside lip of the wheel. Most factory wheels have 5.25" BS.
Overall, most factory wheels are 15x7 with 5.25" BS on a 5x4.5 pattern. Some factory wheels are 15x8 or 16x7. You can see a full list of the factory options here:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f177/...opedia-320730/
When it comes to choosing the right wheel size, you first need to determine what tire size will be mounted on it.
1) The diameters must be the same between the wheel and the tire. No exceptions.
2) Width is a topic that can be debated. The general consensus is this: Tires measuring from stock to 10.5" wide belong on a 7-8" wide wheel. Tires with a 12.5" width are best on an 8" wide wheel if you go offroad because the narrower wheel will keep a tight hold on the tire's bead, but a 10" wheel will also work with that 12.5" wide tire. Tires from 13.5-14.5" wide should be on a 10" wide wheel.
3) The bolt pattern must match your vehicle. Some companies sell adapters to mate certain combinations of different patters (5x4.5 - 5x5 is most common), but you will find varied opinions about them. If it's an option, it's always best to get a wheel that fits correctly without adapters.
4) Backspacing is subjective. Most of us run between 3.5-4" of backspacing on an 8" wide wheel, but there are quite a few options here.
very nice explanation! i obliviously dont know what i dont know about tire/rim selection. some follow up questions - what are the reasons for selecting one rim offset from another? and outside of matching tire width to rim width, is there a reason why you would want one size over another from the point of view of off road traction?
CF Veteran
very nice explanation! i obliviously dont know what i dont know about tire/rim selection. some follow up questions - what are the reasons for selecting one rim offset from another? and outside of matching tire width to rim width, is there a reason why you would want one size over another from the point of view of off road traction?
Herp Derp Jerp
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Parham, ON
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
very nice explanation! i obliviously dont know what i dont know about tire/rim selection. some follow up questions - what are the reasons for selecting one rim offset from another? and outside of matching tire width to rim width, is there a reason why you would want one size over another from the point of view of off road traction?
CF Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Northern New Mexico
Posts: 3,683
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Four important measurements when it comes to wheels:
1) Diameter. Factory wheels are 15" (except Icons, which are 16)
2) Width. As our friend Basslicks said before me, most factory wheels are 7" wide.
3) Bolt Pattern. This determines the number and positions of the mounting holes for the lug nuts. All factory Cherokee wheels (and several other models) have a 5x4.5 (or 5x114.3) bolt pattern.
4) Backspacing or Offset. This is a measurement that tells you how far the wheel will stick out once mounted. Offset is the measurement in millimeters of how far the wheel mounting surface (WMS) is from the middle of the wheel's width. In the Jeep community, we use the Backspacing (BS) measurement. BS is the measurement in inches of how far the WMS is from the inside lip of the wheel. Most factory wheels have 5.25" BS.
Overall, most factory wheels are 15x7 with 5.25" BS on a 5x4.5 pattern. Some factory wheels are 15x8 or 16x7. You can see a full list of the factory options here:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f177/...opedia-320730/
When it comes to choosing the right wheel size, you first need to determine what tire size will be mounted on it.
1) The diameters must be the same between the wheel and the tire. No exceptions.
2) Width is a topic that can be debated. The general consensus is this: Tires measuring from stock to 10.5" wide belong on a 7-8" wide wheel. Tires with a 12.5" width are best on an 8" wide wheel if you go offroad because the narrower wheel will keep a tight hold on the tire's bead, but a 10" wheel will also work with that 12.5" wide tire. Tires from 13.5-14.5" wide should be on a 10" wide wheel.
3) The bolt pattern must match your vehicle. Some companies sell adapters to mate certain combinations of different patters (5x4.5 - 5x5 is most common), but you will find varied opinions about them. If it's an option, it's always best to get a wheel that fits correctly without adapters.
4) Backspacing is subjective. Most of us run between 3.5-4" of backspacing on an 8" wide wheel, but there are quite a few options here.
1) Diameter. Factory wheels are 15" (except Icons, which are 16)
2) Width. As our friend Basslicks said before me, most factory wheels are 7" wide.
3) Bolt Pattern. This determines the number and positions of the mounting holes for the lug nuts. All factory Cherokee wheels (and several other models) have a 5x4.5 (or 5x114.3) bolt pattern.
4) Backspacing or Offset. This is a measurement that tells you how far the wheel will stick out once mounted. Offset is the measurement in millimeters of how far the wheel mounting surface (WMS) is from the middle of the wheel's width. In the Jeep community, we use the Backspacing (BS) measurement. BS is the measurement in inches of how far the WMS is from the inside lip of the wheel. Most factory wheels have 5.25" BS.
Overall, most factory wheels are 15x7 with 5.25" BS on a 5x4.5 pattern. Some factory wheels are 15x8 or 16x7. You can see a full list of the factory options here:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f177/...opedia-320730/
When it comes to choosing the right wheel size, you first need to determine what tire size will be mounted on it.
1) The diameters must be the same between the wheel and the tire. No exceptions.
2) Width is a topic that can be debated. The general consensus is this: Tires measuring from stock to 10.5" wide belong on a 7-8" wide wheel. Tires with a 12.5" width are best on an 8" wide wheel if you go offroad because the narrower wheel will keep a tight hold on the tire's bead, but a 10" wheel will also work with that 12.5" wide tire. Tires from 13.5-14.5" wide should be on a 10" wide wheel.
3) The bolt pattern must match your vehicle. Some companies sell adapters to mate certain combinations of different patters (5x4.5 - 5x5 is most common), but you will find varied opinions about them. If it's an option, it's always best to get a wheel that fits correctly without adapters.
4) Backspacing is subjective. Most of us run between 3.5-4" of backspacing on an 8" wide wheel, but there are quite a few options here.
Senior Member
this may be a dumb question but I would like to verify it, will a 16" rim with 33" tires have the same clearance as a 15" rim with 33's? I am guessing so, but you never know.
Moderator of Jeeps
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Year: 1993 YJ Wrangler
Engine: 4.0 I6
Either combination will be 33" tall (usually ~32.5" actually), but the 15" wheel will have more rubber on the sidewalls because there's a 1" smaller hole in the center.