Miss Libby gettin' new shoes!

[tomsjeep]

Miss Libby is gettin' new shoes on Monday! I'm upsizing a little bit (245x70r16) and am really glad to get rid of those squirmy pseudo mini-van tires. After 25,000 miles, it's all I can stand out of them.
I almost called 4wd and ordered an ARB for the front, but that causes a whole cascade of things that have to happen, including new spring/shocks in front, etc. etc. etc. And as much as I wanted to do that, I need to kind of conserve my cash flow until a job shows up.
I also managed to pick an interior cargo rack/shelf that's being discontinued by the mfr, so that's a cool deal. (Sadly, I tried fishing through all the racks our host offers, but the closest I could come was going to cost twice as much and still require me to fab an installation bracket, so I went with the model-specific item).
Pictures to come as soon as our shiny new shoes are on!

[tomsjeep]

New Shoes are on!
Wrangler Silent Armor, 245x70r16, nice lookin'... I'll get the pic updated shortly.
Although these are the largest tires that will fit without rubbing (and so far no problems to report), I have to confess to feeling a little disappointed they aren't beefier looking. Now I'm looking at them thinking 'dang, I should have gone for a lift, more meat, and the ARB front'

Live and learn.

[tomsjeep]

Pics:
Before...

After...

Lift & bigger would have been better... but then, this is supposed to be the 'commute' Jeep.

[devildog]

Looking good

[cherokee96]

She looks happy to have new shoes regardless of the size. :wiggle:

[tomsjeep]

Thanks gang.
I guess the reason I'm a little disappointed is that there appears to be no difference in the photos. I keep looking at before and after and thinking.... ?what?
But in person, there is a distinct difference. The fenderwells are definitely filled out more. This is as large as you can go without rubbing. So I just need to be happy with it...
:sorrysig:
but it's a Jeep thing.

[Prope]

Are those the duratracs or silent armor? Looks good tom! BTW, do you still have your sahara?

[tomsjeep]

Are those the duratracs or silent armor? Looks good tom! BTW, do you still have your sahara?
Thanks!
Those are Silent Armor.
I looked at the Duratracs, but sizes were limited, plus the SAs are super road tires, which is what I was seeking. Not much off-roading in the Libby. Off road is not needed.
The footprint on the road is just so solid with these... I don't feel like it's on the edge of being out of control anymore (which those squirmy, stock pseudo-minivan tires always gave me that feeling - like it was about to go squirmy all the time).
I still have the Sahara (103,000 miles), so it can do off road duty just fine.

[Toralf]

Looking good Tom!
I have the Silent Armour on the JK, that's what Jeep put's on the Rubis here... and I hoped for MTs... :icon5:

[tomsjeep]

Looking good Tom!
I have the Silent Armour on the JK, that's what Jeep put's on the Rubis here... and I hoped for MTs... :icon5:
Thanks Toralf!
Get yourself a spare set of wheels and put the new kevlar-belted MTRs on it, then you can swap between highway and gettin' muddy!

[Toralf]

I'd love to, but there are a couple problems along the way...

First, I haven't find a source for MTRs in 255/75R17 here. :zbangh:
Second, I have to save the money first.
Third, mounting larger sizes is not allowed yet, Jeep would skip warranty...

But I am still working on the idea

[sam77757]

Just a quick question about tire sizes and rims on my 07 liberty? if i was to go to 15 inch rims with a deep dish what size would you think would be better 30/9.5.15 or trusty ol 31/10.50's?? just wondering as i would rather get the tires out side the finder wells as i am looking to add some finderflairs just wondering what you experts had to say about this!! oh yeah trying to do this without a lift!! just stock! and TORALF your comment ""don't feel like it's on the edge of being out of control anymore (which those squirmy, stock pseudo-minivan tires always gave me that feeling - like it was about to go squirmy all the time)."" that hit the nail on the head right there!!!!!!!! why would they make a top heavy vehicle wear rubber so soft? but anywho thanks for your guys info hope you guys have a great day!!!

[tomsjeep]

Hi Sam, based on what I've been told, the only 15" rim that will possibly fit a Libby is the Cragar Soft 8s. Otherwise it won't clear the brake calipers.
Regardless, you will not clear 31" tires in there without a lift. The 30x9.5r15s do fit (29 1/2" tire diameter) but you'll need to double check to make certain those wheels fit. You will not be able to fit stock Jeep Wrangler 15" rims.
Yeah, those stock tires on this thing are a pain... but some engineer someplace was tasked to get mileage/performance/whatever specs out of this vehicle for the Federal fleet mileage numbers, and that's where they went.
Libertys have a couple of clearance issues with larger tires within the wheel wells: the front wheel well you'll get rubbing at the rear of the well at the pinch weld (if you look, you'll see it sticking out, covered in a plastic housing) and up in the front the fog light cover area rubs; at the rear wheel well, the rear of the well rubs as the tire stuffs during flex.
If you really want bigger tires, you'll need a lift. No way around it.

edit: okay, rereading your question, you want the tires to stick outside the fender wells?
I don't think that's going to be possible with a larger tire without a really big lift.
What you're asking is way outside my zone of comfort, so let me suggest you take a look here:
http://www.lostkjs.com
Chances are really good that it's been discussed (go to the forums and scroll down to the Tires section) or you can log in and ask there.