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

[KevinC]

However, if I am going to get new wheels to accommodate the wider tires, I will have to deal with a tire / wheel shop.

Why? If you go back and read every response in your post, many have 12.50 wide tires with 7.5 wheels, many have many miles on said set up, many have zero problems.

Stop second guessing yourself. I have 12.50 wide tires on stock wheels. This would be my third Jeep with this set up. I have over 100K miles and zero issues or complaints.

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[Wheelin98TJ]

Why? If you go back and read every response in your post, many have 12.50 wide tires with 7.5 wheels, many have many miles on said set up, many have zero problems.

Stop second guessing yourself. I have 12.50 wide tires on stock wheels. This would be my third Jeep with this set up. I have over 100K miles and zero issues or complaints.

He doesn't want to use wheel spacers and he has the narrower axles.

Do you have experience with that setup?

I don't know how well 12.50 fits in that scenario. I don't have experience with the narrower axles.

 

[KevinC]

He doesn't want to use wheel spacers and he has the narrower axles.

Do you have experience with that setup?

I don't know how well 12.50 fits in that scenario. I don't have experience with the narrower axles.

Totally missed the narrow axle. I have only ran it on a JTR and JTM so my results would obviously be different. Good catch.

 

[AmishMike]

@UnklG517 Doesn't sound like these 35" x 12.5"s are going to work out for you. Other than getting a good price, what are you looking for? Fitment is all over the board, some say 37"s with no problem, I have rubbing with 35"x 11.5"s on my Rubicon. LCA, inner fender etc. mostly with sway bar disconnected and at off road but they do rub.
My advice is to figure out what you want and what you can live with then buy accordingly.

 

[UnklG517]

@UnklG517 Doesn't sound like these 35" x 12.5"s are going to work out for you. Other than getting a good price, what are you looking for? Fitment is all over the board, some say 37"s with no problem, I have rubbing with 35"x 11.5"s on my Rubicon. LCA, inner fender etc. mostly with sway bar disconnected and at off road but they do rub.
My advice is to figure out what you want and what you can live with then buy accordingly.

No real build plans per se at the moment. Teraflex 1.5" level kit had been sitting in the garage since last Christmas and I just wanted to have a little more aggressive stance TBH. Haven't had the Gladiator for barely a year, but tired of looking like a boy amongst men out in the work parking lot. Thought with 1.5" level kit installed I would be able to throw 35"s on with no problem. Didn't consider tire width; didn't think it'd be an issue. It's a daily driver and I have plans to get on some trails again eventually, but for now it's just purely aesthetic. Don't want to do spacers and wasn't prepared to get new wheels. Probably just look for a 35x11.5 and let it rip when I see a decent price.

 

[UnklG517]

I just bought some Teraflex shock extenders for the front. After the 1.5" level kit was installed. I can hear / feel the front shocks maxing out at full extension at a certain point on my drive home everyday. Prior to the level kit install, it was never an issue. Hopefully the shock extender will solve that problem.

 

[Verne]

Take a look at my profile pic. 35s on the black Jeep wheels. No issues and I like the look.

 

[Sigz]

Get some quadratec wheels and you'll be good to go!

 

[ShawnwFL]

Have a Willy’s with a 1.5” teraflex up front and 315s on stock wheels, exactly what you’re proposing. You will rub at full lock but you really only lose a few degrees of turning radius, honestly only an issue when making hard u-turns. Not an issue with daily driving. I have 20k on this setup with no issues. I do run at a lower psi than recommended (28-29 psi) as they ballon up and wear the middle at 37 psi. They’ve worn pretty damn even over 20k. Got mine mounted at discount for $92. Easy breezy, no issues. They even patched them for free when I ran over a nail because I got them mounted there. Just go to discount tire, it’s easy and hassle free.

 

[T-Rock]

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 have BFG KO2 35x12.5x17 on my stock wheels. No rubbing on the Mojave with stock suspension. I eventually bumped it up and did a leveling because I wanted more ground clearance but from a tire perspective I didn't need to. I think the Willy's should be fine with the 1.5" leveling kit. Discount Tire installed mine without blinking an eye.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I have BFG KO2 35x12.5x17 on my stock wheels. No rubbing on the Mojave with stock suspension. I eventually bumped it up and did a leveling because I wanted more ground clearance but from a tire perspective I didn't need to. I think the Willy's should be fine with the 1.5" leveling kit. Discount Tire installed mine without blinking an eye.

You have about 1" more clearance for the inside sidewalls compared to a Willys.

Your wide axles add about 3/4" plus your wheels add about another 1/4".

 

[T-Rock]

You have about 1" more clearance for the inside sidewalls compared to a Willys.

Your wide axles add about 3/4" plus your wheels add about another 1/4".

yeah, I realized that a bit late.

 

[GladiatorPilot23]

Firestone sites shows approved width 35?? Not sure what 35 is?

The issue is with 7.5" wheel you get a little bowing on the tread beyond the limit. The contact patch will not be optimal. It would wear different as well. Some lower air pressure to counter this. I preferer 11.5" my self as I don't like wheels or tires stick out and you get better traction off-road when aired down.

 

[Gvsukids]

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.

No.

 

[350camper]

Costcos near me only install OEM size tires with same or better load and speed rating. It is a pain

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