Eliminating rub on 2" lifted Mojave w/ 37s?

[GladLad]

Has anyone else had non-fender related rubbing offroad with 37x12.5r17 on stock wheels on a 2" lifted Mojave? If no, do you ever disconnect your sway bar? Were you able to eliminate rub without new wheels/spacers and how? I'm hoping to find real examples of those that had and fixed the issue without going overboard.

I'm aware of the various ways and my options are listed further below.

I recently installed a 2" AEV spacer lift, Mojave X front springs, Apex Autolynx, and 37x12.5r17 BFG KO3 tires on the stock wheels (17x7.5, 37mm offset). Before tires, the lift/springs added about 2.5" in front.

There's no rub when reviewing flat, but when offroading dunes my right tire rubbed the rubi skid plate (mates with metal bumper) on full left turn. I was not disconnected. I was at 12psi, but bulge is mostly at the foot print.

Before and after install I read dozens of threads about 37s, stock wheels, lift and no lift, had DM convos, etc. and the vast majority had no rubbing, perhaps none in comparable setup. It's obfuscated since details aren't always listed (wheels/tires, full upgrade list, what rubs, etc.), not everyone disconnects, and offroad adventures differ. Some have stock rubis rubbing, and others no-lift 37s not rubbing. Some rub only after a lift, others rub because their tires are more poked and hit the outer low point of the fenders. I'm not particularly concerned about fender rubbing though.

Overall, it seemed I shouldn't have problems with 37s on a lifted, wide axle Mojave, so it was worth a try. Especially since KO3 run a little smaller. 35.75" at 30psi cold, 12.5" at bottom bulge, closer to 11.25" higher up where I'd rub.

I'd like to eliminate the rub with minimal changes, here are my options.

1. Trim the rubi skid, which lips a little higher than the Mojave skid. If no one else had rubbing, this may be the deal. But with the reservoirs so close, I don't want to assume it's all that's needed.

2. Adjustable trackbar. Measuring from frame to inner tire wall, I get about 11" and 11.5", so a 1/4" off center. Uncertain if it'd be enough, so checking for experiences before piecemealing fixes. Haven't done enough flexing to say whether a right turn could also rub, especially after centering.

3. Adjust steering stop. Cheap, easy. Downside is losing some turn radius.

4. Wheels. +25mm offset would give another 0.47" with minimal poke, but it's an expensive solution if not needed.

5. Switch to 35s, which also opens up more 11.5" wide options.

6. Wheel spacers, not interested. Amongst other reasons, I just don't want a lot of poke.

7. 37x11.5 tires. I originally wanted this size, but the only options are Venom Power and Nitto Recon, with the latter not having great reviews in wet/snow (Michigan). I could keep the 33" Falkens for winter, but I'm also not positive a more narrow tire would be a complete fix. The 12.5" KO3 are 11.25" higher up and I don't know if the Nitto 11.5s have a similar decrease above the footprint.

There's not much local to flex on, but I need to find the rub points.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Flat ground:

Suspected rub point based on powder coat missing (but further back than expected):

Sponsored

 

[BlueScapegoat]

You laid out the options pretty well, sort of up to you. I do want to point out that with the wheels cut the spacers/offset wheels push the wheels out perpendicular to the wheels. I know that seems obvious, but it can sometimes cause issues in other places like the back of the wheel well. Just something to keep in mind, it's perpendicular to the hub, not the Jeep. If you're rubbing with the surface of the tire tread it might not make a difference.

Looking at your image I'd just hit it with a bfh to bend it in some. But we don't all share the same values.

 

[GladLad]

You laid out the options pretty well, sort of up to you. I do want to point out that with the wheels cut the spacers/offset wheels push the wheels out perpendicular to the wheels. I know that seems obvious, but it can sometimes cause issues in other places like the back of the wheel well. Just something to keep in mind, it's perpendicular to the hub, not the Jeep. If you're rubbing with the surface of the tire tread it might not make a difference.

Looking at your image I'd just hit it with a bfh to bend it in some. But we don't all share the same values.

Yeah, I guess that's similar to those that get rubbing because of the excessive poke.

Bfh, angle grinder, it's all the same in my book. Was just hoping someone had the same issue to know if that is enough. Or that enough didn't have the issue to suggest it may be.

 

[UTDieselRubi]

Quickest fix, add some washers to your steering stops on the knuckles. 1$ fix in 10 min and you really dont give up much radius.

Best fix imo, aftermarket wheels. Stock wheels "can" run 12.5" width, but OEM and shops other than discount dont recommend. I had too many issues doing it, the tire looks goofy, they wear weird, and I dont like the find the right psi game. 7.5 is just a bit too skinny. Pick up some cheap Rocktrix if on a budget. Go for 9" wide and get a offset that pushes you out a bit. Fyi, with this option, if poke is an issue, you can get fender extensions for about 100$ on Amazon. This is what I did and they realign with the tires much better. They look factory and hold up very well.

 

[Pat Witt]

I have a 21 mojave with 37s on stock rims, I have changed my fenders out to flat fenders because I didn't want a lift on it while I had 35s on it there was no problem with it rubbing but when I installed the 37s it started rubbing on both sides of front in full turn on the frame rails and my only fix was adding wheel spacers as I didn't want new wheels I personally like the wheel set I have.

 

[Zachanadandy]

For your use I'd just trim the skid. Mine was a similar setup but I run 1.5" wheel spacers and the stock Mojave skid with no rubbing. Went to 3.5" metalcloak springs to get some more breakover and departure clearance. If the drivers side rubbed, a track bar would make it worse. Lifting shifts the axle towards the drivers side. Could you put the Mojave skid back on (assuming it has more clearance)? Mine works fine with the aftermarket stubby bumper.

 

[SaiintNick]

I have 37" KO2's with no lift and only had rubbing on inner fender so I chopped it. No rubbing on my skid on or off road that I'm aware of.

 

[Labswine]

Smaller tires

 

[GladLad]

Quickest fix, add some washers to your steering stops on the knuckles. 1$ fix in 10 min and you really dont give up much radius.

Best fix imo, aftermarket wheels. Stock wheels "can" run 12.5" width, but OEM and shops other than discount dont recommend. I had too many issues doing it, the tire looks goofy, they wear weird, and I dont like the find the right psi game. 7.5 is just a bit too skinny. Pick up some cheap Rocktrix if on a budget. Go for 9" wide and get a offset that pushes you out a bit. Fyi, with this option, if poke is an issue, you can get fender extensions for about 100$ on Amazon. This is what I did and they realign with the tires much better. They look factory and hold up very well.

I might try some washers, since it's so easy. I'll just need to do some testing to find when/where it rubs to know extent. That and trim the plate are easiest.

Ultimately, track bar and wheels are the best option. Just not something I wanted to do yet as wheel shopping has proven difficult when you like the stock look. Finding a design I like, right color, right offset, right weight, and right price... is not something I've seen yet. I'll check out Rocktrix though, thanks!

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Smaller tires

BLASHPHEMY!!!!

 

[GladLad]

I have a 21 mojave with 37s on stock rims, I have changed my fenders out to flat fenders because I didn't want a lift on it while I had 35s on it there was no problem with it rubbing but when I installed the 37s it started rubbing on both sides of front in full turn on the frame rails and my only fix was adding wheel spacers as I didn't want new wheels I personally like the wheel set I have.

I like stock too. Spacers would be a great fix, but I'm not a big fan of extra poke.

Are you still running 37s without a lift?

 

[Zachanadandy]

Ultimately, track bar and wheels are the best option.

Assuming you were correct when you posted that the drivers side rubbed, a new track bar and centering the axle will make it worse not better. Lifting with the stock track bar pulls the axle toward the drivers side.

 

[GladLad]

For your use I'd just trim the skid. Mine was a similar setup but I run 1.5" wheel spacers and the stock Mojave skid with no rubbing. Went to 3.5" metalcloak springs to get some more breakover and departure clearance. If the drivers side rubbed, a track bar would make it worse. Lifting shifts the axle towards the drivers side. Could you put the Mojave skid back on (assuming it has more clearance)? Mine works fine with the aftermarket stubby bumper.

I may end up trimming it if I can run it through some flex/turn cycles and see where it's at risk. And if it's just the skid, trim is all I need. Might do track bar too if I see reason to center it better.

I could put the Mojave skid back on, and it would just require some trimming to fit the bumper. I haven't compared their width yet, as they're pretty similar, but the rubi skid definitely cups higher. It also widens as it goes forward, but it didn't seem to be where it rubbed. I'll check while flexing.

 

[GladLad]

I have 37" KO2's with no lift and only had rubbing on inner fender so I chopped it. No rubbing on my skid on or off road that I'm aware of.

And see, you're like the examples I've read that lead me to believe I'd be safe, because surely with a lift I have even more room. And I do, at least with fenders.

But like I mentioned, there's always different experiences, as sometimes the lift or offset changes become the issue. Lift affects axle centering or brings something in line with the tire's wide point. Offset can push you into the lower fender point, etc.

Do you ever disconnect your sway bar when offroad?

 

[GladLad]

Smaller tires

Boring!!

But I know, that's why it's listed options #5 and #7.

If there were a 3 peak 37x11.5 tire available, that would have been on from the start. I'm reviewing other options before going tire change route though. I have a 90 day satisfaction guarantee, so I can swap out, but I don't want to use it until needed. If I have to change, I want to do it only once.

Sponsored