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Lift to run 235/85R16 tires?

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Offline Gypsy Danger

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Lift to run 235/85R16 tires?
« on: January 08, 2018, 11:34:27 AM »
Hello everyone.  Currently running the LROR 2.5" lift, 15x7 with 3.75 backspacing and 235/75R15 tires.  I've rolled the rear fenders and I really like how the tires tuck up into them at full compression.  I'm wanting to move to a larger tire and I was wondering if anyone has ever run a 235/85r16 before and what kind of lift, rim trimming, etc.  I know I'd have to get new rims, but I'm wondering what else is going to be involved.  How much trimming, extension of bumpstops, maybe larger coil spacers?  If anyone has any input it'd be greatly appreciated.  Thanks! 
1996 Geo Tracker 4dr 4x4
Front & Gas Tank skid plate, 235/75/R15's
LROR 2.5" Lift (OME Springs and 1" pucks)

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Offline Phase change

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Re: Lift to run 235/85R16 tires?
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2018, 02:12:16 PM »
That’s a much bigger tire, which ya probably knew. 

https://tiresize.com/comparison/
2003 Suzuki tracker 4d 5sp 2.0 “piglet”
Deleted air 4wd system, Manual hubs, 2” lift, 235/75,

Old ride: 1997 X90 “jellybean” best lil car I’ve ever had

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Offline olija

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Re: Lift to run 235/85R16 tires?
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2018, 08:57:22 PM »
On my 2003 XL7 I am running basically that exact tire size except on a 17" rim. I have the 235/80/17. They are pretty close to 32" tall but they are easier to fit than a 265 or 285 wide tire because they are so narrow- especially on a tire like the BFG A/T KO, where the tread is actually only 7.5" wide even though the sidewalls of the tire are the advertised 9.5" wide. I also find that wide tires are not really necessary on light vehicles like Suzukis, however, the flip side to this is most pizza cutters are only available in load range E which is just as much overkill. I have around 3" of suspension lift with Alter Ego A-arms that move the wheel forward 1.25", plus a 2" body lift and have zero rubbing on the front wheel arch, but a fair bit of rubbing on the front of the rear arch (down by the rocker panel). I also had to trim the fender portion of the rear bumper back 2 or 3 inches, and I wish that the longer rear control arms from Alter Ego were about an inch or two longer still, because it's alot easier trimming the bumper than it is trimming your back doors/fender flares and making it look good!

I had a 97 Sidekick with 31x10.5 on 15x7 rims with 3.75" backspacing and that seemed to work really well. I only had a 1.5" suspension lift on there, a 2" body lift, the rear fenders rolled like yours and 3" cut off the bottom rear edge of the front fenders. Before that I ran 235/75/15 on stock rims with just the 1.5" spacer lift. I think if you're not afraid to cut and bend a bit of sheet metal, you can make those tires fit no problem!







97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline Gypsy Danger

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Re: Lift to run 235/85R16 tires?
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2018, 10:13:34 AM »
Thanks for the reply Olija!  Yeah that was my thinking with the 235.  I figured it'd be easier to stuff than something wider.  I hadn't thought of the load range thing, do yours on your  XL-7 ride stiff?  Definitely not afraid to cut and bend so I guess it's a go when funds permit.

Do you like your AE front control arms?  I've been looking at those for mine and thought they'd make fitting a bigger tire much easier.  Any negatives that you can tell?
1996 Geo Tracker 4dr 4x4
Front & Gas Tank skid plate, 235/75/R15's
LROR 2.5" Lift (OME Springs and 1" pucks)

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Offline olija

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Re: Lift to run 235/85R16 tires?
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2018, 03:12:35 PM »
No, it rides totally fine. Never had any complaints about ride comfort. I'm sure it varies from tire to tire. The AE A-arms are great; they definitely played a huge part in getting these tires to clear. I had to add 1" wheel spacers when I installed them though, because the wheels I am running are 1" wider than factory but have the same offset, the inside edge of the rim would grind on the back edge of the A-arm when making tight turns. I don't think this would have been a problem with the factory 16x7's.
97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper