35 x 12.5 tires on factory Willy's wheels - Costco says NO...

[djthumper]

12.5 will rub with stock rims at a full turn, unless you have the wide axles.

Sponsored

 

[UnklG517]

It’s a liability issue.

Your tire is out of spec for your rim. If you ever get in a major accident, your insurance company may try to blame that. When that happens, you will likely blame the installer.

The tire spec shows the minimum rim width to be 7.5". There wasn't a spec issue. It may have not looked as it good as it would with a wider rim. Their concern (and mine too) is the rubbing / loss of turn radius due to the tire width. I didn't want to haggle and honestly it was a bit of a spontaneous purchase. I've been wanting to upgrade tires, these were on sale and had great reviews, it's close to Christmas, etc. I will research a little more and make sure whatever I get fits or install a lift if need be.

 

[UnklG517]

12.5 will rub with stock rims at a full turn, unless you have the wide axles.

Yeah, and I'd rather not do spacers. I will either get a lift OR go with a 11.5" tire. Thanks!

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

The tire spec shows the minimum rim width to be 7.5". There wasn't a spec issue. It may have not looked as it good as it would with a wider rim. Their concern (and mine too) is the rubbing / loss of turn radius due to the tire width. I didn't want to haggle and honestly it was a bit of a spontaneous purchase. I've been wanting to upgrade tires, these were on sale and had great reviews, it's close to Christmas, etc. I will research a little more and make sure whatever I get fits or install a lift if need be.

Where are you seeing the recommended wheel width? I don't see anything on Costco. The Firestone website says "Approved Rim Width 35.0".

When I look up these tires on tirerack.com, it says Rim Width Range: 8.5-11"

Yeah, and I'd rather not do spacers. I will either get a lift OR go with a 11.5" tire. Thanks!

A lift won't give you more clearance for the inner sidewalls.

 

[djthumper]

Yeah, and I'd rather not do spacers. I will either get a lift OR go with a 11.5" tire. Thanks!

A lift is not going to stop it from rubbing. Either go with the 11.5 or change out the rims. You need rims that have a 0 offset on a 8.5" wide rim.

 

[Stan H]

Ov

I purchased a set of Firestone 35x12.5 from Costco while they were on sale. Initially I was concerned about the tires fitting on the 17x7.5 factory Willy's wheel. 7.5 is the minimum width for a wheel with 12.5 tire per the spec. I did a little research and figured I would be ok; if I didn't like the look I would just get some new wheels...

So in preparation for the 35"s, I installed the Teraflex 1.5" level kit that's been sitting in my garage for almost a year. Although it took me a little longer than the 2hr recommended timeframe, I got it done!! Now it's time to get the tires put on!

Arrived at Costco for my registered appointment time, and they were already anxious about the install. The manager called me out to look at one of the tires he had rolled up along the front tire. His concern was the 12.5 width would not work. It would rub and / or limit turn radius on front, and rub the inner fender on the rear. Ultimately we ended up holding off on the install until I had time to look into it further.

What say you all?!?

Over and Over again I have been told that a 9" rim is suitable for 12.50's
.7" is not they won't hold their bead

 

[Lukasz]

The tire spec shows the minimum rim width to be 7.5". There wasn't a spec issue. It may have not looked as it good as it would with a wider rim. Their concern (and mine too) is the rubbing / loss of turn radius due to the tire width. I didn't want to haggle and honestly it was a bit of a spontaneous purchase. I've been wanting to upgrade tires, these were on sale and had great reviews, it's close to Christmas, etc. I will research a little more and make sure whatever I get fits or install a lift if need be.

My bad. I was thinking about 37s, not 35s.
Does Willys come with the wider axle like the Rubicon or the Max Tow package?

L.

 

[UnklG517]

Where are you seeing the recommended wheel width? I don't see anything on Costco. The Firestone website says "Approved Rim Width 35.0".

When I look up these tires on tirerack.com, it says Rim Width Range: 8.5-11"

Discount tire shows the spec for the FirestoneDestination M/T 235 X12.50R17 LT 121Q E2 BSW to have a rim width range of 7.5" - 11.5". I called them to confirm before purchase because I was seeing mixed info online. Even so, I still wasn't 100% comfortable with it. Need to just get some new wheels I guess; was hoping to avoid that... More $$ and more decisions...

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/firestone-destination-m-t-2/p/88684

 

[salvino]

I purchased a set of Firestone 35x12.5 from Costco while they were on sale. Initially I was concerned about the tires fitting on the 17x7.5 factory Willy's wheel. 7.5 is the minimum width for a wheel with 12.5 tire per the spec. I did a little research and figured I would be ok; if I didn't like the look I would just get some new wheels...

So in preparation for the 35"s, I installed the Teraflex 1.5" level kit that's been sitting in my garage for almost a year. Although it took me a little longer than the 2hr recommended timeframe, I got it done!! Now it's time to get the tires put on!

Arrived at Costco for my registered appointment time, and they were already anxious about the install. The manager called me out to look at one of the tires he had rolled up along the front tire. His concern was the 12.5 width would not work. It would rub and / or limit turn radius on front, and rub the inner fender on the rear. Ultimately we ended up holding off on the install until I had time to look into it further.

What say you all?!?

I'd look at some tire fit/rub threads if I were you. Some guys in this thread are saying they will fit. I'm not certain but I am pretty sure Rubicons have more clearance than Willys so while they may work on a Rubicon, they might rub on yours.

I think Costco may be trying to protect you against getting them mounted only to find out they rub. And to find out if they rub you have to flex the suspension. Checking on flat ground does not tell the whole story.

Its just best to be sure because if you find out they rub I don't think they'll want to take them back.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Discount tire shows the spec for the FirestoneDestination M/T 235 X12.50R17 LT 121Q E2 BSW to have a rim width range of 7.5" - 11.5". I called them to confirm before purchase because I was seeing mixed info online. Even so, I still wasn't 100% comfortable with it. Need to just get some new wheels I guess; was hoping to avoid that... More $$ and more decisions...

https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/firestone-destination-m-t-2/p/88684

Ok, you seeing those specs on Discount Tire makes sense. Discount Tire contradicts some of the tire manufacturer recommendations when they say 7.5" wide is ok for 12.50 wide tires. Discount Tire says a 7.5" wide wheel is ok for a BFG 35x12.50, but BFG says 8".

Per Discount Tire:

Per BFG:

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

For the record, I think it's completely fine to put a 12.50 wide tire on a 7.5" wide wheel. You just have to run a little lower PSI for even wear. And you of course need the clearance for the inner sidewalls which is a problem with factory wheels, no wheel spacers, and narrow axles.

I ran 12.50 wide tires on 7" wide wheels for 60k miles. Same set of tires, so they wore really well. I had no problems at all.

 

[salvino]

For the record, I think it's completely fine to put a 12.50 wide tire on a 7.5" wide wheel. You just have to run a little lower PSI for even wear. And you of course need the clearance for the inner sidewalls which is a problem with factory wheels, no wheel spacers, and narrow axles.

I ran 12.50 wide tires on 7" wide wheels for 60k miles. Same set of tires, so they wore really well. I had no problems at all.

Lots of people do it without issues. Is it ideal, no. But things rarely are. But if you can afford it, 8.5" is better.

 

[vicsvx]

I have 35x12r17 on stock rims... Added centric spacers and no issues. Discount mounted them no questions 44k miles no issues

 

[BourbonRunner]

Dunno about you guys but Costco is the last place I'd go for tires for any of my vehicles, stock or otherwise, especially when most places will price match and go from there.

Not that I don't like Costco but it has its place. I just can't rectify getting stuff done to my vehicles at the same place I go for TP, 50 gal barrels of ranch, rotisserie chickens and a free 7-course lunch every Saturday.

 

[UnklG517]

Dunno about you guys but Costco is the last place I'd go for tires for any of my vehicles, stock or otherwise, especially when most places will price match and go from there.

Not that I don't like Costco but it has its place. I just can't rectify getting stuff done to my vehicles at the same place I go for TP, 50 gal barrels of ranch, rotisserie chickens and a free 7-course lunch every Saturday.

Costco had the best price, they don't charge for install, AND I get an additional 4% off with my Costco CC. I agree with you though on anything past tires. Certainly not going to ask them to install a lift. They put new tires on vehicles all day though; shouldn't have been an issue. However, if I am going to get new wheels to accommodate the wider tires, I will have to deal with a tire / wheel shop.

Sponsored