I have a 95 4dr Kick JLX.  After reading a lot of posts on tire fitment, it seems that 235s will often fit the Kick without rubbing. 

So, I now have some 235 BDFG TA/KOs on some 15x8 cheap white spoker wheels.  The wheels have a bit (1/2") less offset than the stock alloys. 

The tires have done pretty well for me on some easy/moderate wheeling trips.  I had a little rubbing in the front, but nothing that a Sawzall didn't fix quickly.

However, I've had more problems in the back.  Going over a speed bump at slow speed causes some rubbing of both rear tires on the edge of the wheel well.  Also, when the rear is articulated offroad, the high-side tire rubs on the sharp inside of the wheel well, and if that keeps up, I could see the sidewall getting sliced.

Solutions?  I suppose that I can fold the crimped edge of the wheel well up to reduce the chance of sidewall slicing, but that won't help with the general rubbing that happens when both rears ride evenly over an obstacle.  The shocks are cheap and have about 20k on them, but when I unbolt them and compress the shocks by hand, they still have reasonable pressure.  Would higher quality shocks, like Bilsteins, solve the problem?  Or, do I have to go to a one or two inch lift?  I'd rather not go that way at this time, if there are altneratives.

There's a lot of knowledge on this board, and I'd welcome thought.  Thanks!

Ive got 15x7 rims and 235's..  All I did in the rear was to hammer up the inner lip.

This stopped any chance of slicing there.  As for inside the wheel well (like up IN the well)  Im not sure yet..  They still rub at full stuff.

Ive got 15x7 rims and 235's..  All I did in the rear was to hammer up the inner lip.

This stopped any chance of slicing there.  As for inside the wheel well (like up IN the well)  Im not sure yet..  They still rub at full stuff.

Yeah, but he has 8" wide wheels, he's gonna need a little lift. Shocks won't help.

hehe, just offering some help..  It sorta related to his situation but, yea. Give her some coil spacers and all the rubbing should be nil..

It's your choice of wheel width and offset that is the cause. As suggested a bit more bodywork is in order. There is no problem doing a little folding, I've done it in the past.

Yah,  8 inches is a bit wide for 235's anyway....  stock wheels fit the 235's just fine....

My 15x7's and 235's rub a little, even a little worse with a 1.5" spacer lift, when turning full lock, mostly in reverse..

I am sure I will rub when flexing, but this is primarily a DD, so no biggie..

I suggest different (narrower) wheels, or go ahead and at least do a spacer or spring lift... it's simple and fairly cheap.

the lift is real cheap if you know were there are some shopping carts sitting. 

I have a 95 4dr Kick JLX also.  I have been running lt 235/75/15's for 10 months, on my stock  wheels, with no problems.  I agree with the others about your wheel being too wide.  I saw what a 15x8 would do to my tire, and I really did not like the look,  Now it seems they like I dodged the rubbing problem  by keeping the stock wheel.  I also have been running 23psi also with smoother ride and no loss of mpg. 
Jeff

Whoa...there's nothing wrong with an 8" wheel, but without a lift there's rubbage. Without a lift, your tire needs to tuck under the wheelwell lip when articulated, and clear the rear of the front fender when turned, can't be done with an 8" wheel and no lift. Lift it, and keep the wheels  You still might need to trim inside the front wheelwell though.
To fold in a fender lip, use a baseball bat, and roll it on the lip on an angle pushing up, ask any tuner guy that drives a lowered car with big wheels, most of them need to do it when they're fitting there 17's and 18's.

the answer to ALL clearance issues !





  SAWZALL ! ! !   

Oops my bad.  I have 15x7s not 15x8s; I had my other vehicle on the brain.  Backspacing is 3 7/8".  Maybe I should switch back to the stock wheels.

hmmmmmmmmmm,  I have 15x7's at 3 and 3/4" back space..   VERY little rubbing issues before or after 1.5" spacer lift.  I need to trim a TINY bit of the front bumper, I mean tiny... and I need to hammer a seam or two...

With just street driving, there is no rub.


Are your rear springs sagged??  The rears are the last thing that should rub like that.

Quaddawg, I was wondering about that.  Is there a spec for unloaded coil height?

hmmmmmmmmmm,  I have 15x7's at 3 and 3/4" back space..   VERY little rubbing issues before or after 1.5" spacer lift.  I need to trim a TINY bit of the front bumper, I mean tiny... and I need to hammer a seam or two...

With just street driving, there is no rub.


Are your rear springs sagged??  The rears are the last thing that should rub like that.

IIRC 4drs are a different shape around the rear arches because of the extra door. There is less clearance.

Quote from: Quaddawg on September 16, 2006, 12:05:23 PM

hmmmmmmmmmm,  I have 15x7's at 3 and 3/4" back space..   VERY little rubbing issues before or after 1.5" spacer lift.  I need to trim a TINY bit of the front bumper, I mean tiny... and I need to hammer a seam or two...

With just street driving, there is no rub.


Are your rear springs sagged??  The rears are the last thing that should rub like that.

IIRC 4drs are a different shape around the rear arches because of the extra door. There is less clearance.

OHHHHHHHHHH.....  I didn't realize that