Street tires vs. off road tires

[07JeepXK]

Well the problem is that without spacers the MOAB wheels wont clear the brake calipers. Also without spacers you will never get a tire larger then a 265/70 to clear the ball joint bolt while still running stock wheels. Most 265/70's wont even clear the ball joint bolt without spacers. My tires wouldn't have. Also, I realize that a 33 inch tire isnt much bigger (1/2 inch taller over all tire dimensions) but you'd be suprised how much that 1/2 inch makes a huge difference. Especially if the vehicle ever leaves the pavement.

[Sal-XK]

I agree there would be some rubbing but it you get absolute no rubbing on a 32" tire how bad could it rub on the 33" tires with the modifications done.

[07JeepXK]

Well just to get my 32's to clear, I had to bend over the pinch weld and remold the plastic inner fender well. I think with 33's there would be an issue with the rear AC/Heater lines. I know not all XK's have them but mine does. I guess there is only one way to find out. My XK will need tires soon so maybe ill jump up in size and make them fit!

[Sal-XK]

Well just to get my 32's to clear, I had to bend over the pinch weld and remold the plastic inner fender well. I think with 33's there would be an issue with the rear AC/Heater lines. I know not all XK's have them but mine does. I guess there is only one way to find out. My XK will need tires soon so maybe ill jump up in size and make them fit!

So if you purchase a 32" tire and install it add the weight of the vehicle it dosent sit at 32" it sits at like say 31" correct. Or am I way wrong on this one.

[07JeepXK]

Yeah pretty much. When I measured my tires to recalibrate my speedometer they were right at 30.5 inches tall. They had about half tread on them at the time. But yes, they weight of the vehicle changes the rolling diameter of the tire.

[Doc in AZ]

another thing to keep in mind is that a 33" tire isn't. i had a brand new set of BFG A/T KO's that were 33/12.50/15 but they only measured about 31.75". you can go on most mfgr websites to get the true specs on their tires.

[OurJeepLife]

We've been torn between street and off road.. Feeling that we may lean more towards the off road and loose the MPG's in the long run. But lifting is out of the question. So we may considered getting a cross over tire similar to the Michelin LX A/T2 series. Although we are keeping the same general size, we are getting a bit wider tire.. at least to keep a bit more on the road. I just want to know that the tires we get are going to last as well as preform "if" we venture off road again.