35s or 37s?

[ShadowsPapa]

King pins different from ball joints. They are similar in location on the axle, but that’s it. King pins are a solid pin with a bushing that rotates around it allowing the knuckle to steer. Ball joints also allow the knuckle to steer, but are different in design. The are a ball with a metal socket crimped around it, with a threaded shaft on the end of it. Most oem ball joints have cheap plastic inside. Aftermarket ball joints are stronger and usually have zerk fittings in them so they can be greased.

LOL - yeah, I know exactly what a king pin is - have worked on front ends since Hector was a pup, straight trucks, boom trucks, 49 Ford, my own grain trucks. Below is example of one I helped a neighbor out with.
The kicker is that these "Ball joints" are a ball only in design, not function, because they simply pivot around the ball, swing, not like a conventional ball joint in a car where the motion is actually around the sphere in all directions. These ball joints could just as easily be a cylinder as there is no need for tip in or out around the ball. The steering knuckle simply pivots around it like a u-joint cross pivots.
These could be made like a leg of a u-joint, although that would likely take more space, and less of a beating.
They are a ball only in design internally, not in function. The motion is around a flat circle, not a sphere motion. The top only supports, the spindle or steering knuckle doesn't rotate up and down vertically, only horizontally. So they could be pins and not balls from the viewpoint of the motion. It's a simple motion, not a complex motion of an IFS ball joint in other words.

King pins also use a bearing as shown here............. sort of like a trunnion would use, to support the weight while the bushings handle the pivot motion.

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[Factoid]

True, but in this case king pins are being called ball joints. It’s a crazy world!

 

[121Ranger]

Went with 35’s (BFG KM3s) and absolutely love them. No power drain at all and rides very smoothly for mud terrains. Did add 1.5” in front and .75” in rear coil spacers. Also went with Falcon shocks/steering stabilizer and Steer Smart Yeti adjustable track bar (I know, a little overkill).

 

[Reasons]

Went with 35’s (BFG KM3s) and absolutely love them. No power drain at all and rides very smoothly for mud terrains. Did add 1.5” in front and .75” in rear coil spacers. Also went with Falcon shocks/steering stabilizer and Steer Smart Yeti adjustable track bar (I know, a little overkill).

We have the same exact Jeep in color, trim and mods. I also did the 1.5" Teraflex spacer lift up front and added a 0.75" Daystar rear spacer for the rear. I'm also going with 35"s, still waiting on my wheels and tires.

Thank you for posting photos of your setup. Now I know exactly how the stance of my JTR will look once I put the wheels/tires on.

 

[SleepyJeep]

Went with 35’s (BFG KM3s) and absolutely love them. No power drain at all and rides very smoothly for mud terrains. Did add 1.5” in front and .75” in rear coil spacers. Also went with Falcon shocks/steering stabilizer and Steer Smart Yeti adjustable track bar (I know, a little overkill).

Nice rig, too bad you are in FL - I wanted to find out some first hand experience of those tires in the snow . The reviews are amazing for that tire and that is what I plan on getting...

 

[121Ranger]

Nice rig, too bad you are in FL - I wanted to find out some first hand experience of those tires in the snow . The reviews are amazing for that tire and that is what I plan on getting...

Yea sorry I can’t help you out on the snow thing but they are great on beach sand. I am very happy with them. They ride very smoothly and they are no louder than the Toyo RT “hybrid” tires I had on my JK Rubi. I have to strain to hear them at 75 mph over the roof’s wind noise. And they look cool as hell.

 

[121Ranger]

We have the same exact Jeep in color, trim and mods. I also did the 1.5" Teraflex spacer lift up front and added a 0.75" Daystar rear spacer for the rear. I'm also going with 35"s, still waiting on my wheels and tires.

Thank you for posting photos of your setup. Now I know exactly how the stance of my JTR will look once I put the wheels/tires on.

Glad I could help. I looked around on this forum for a month checking out how other rigs looked before I made my decision and am very happy with my setup. So glad I went with 35’s instead of 37’s. Will be pulling a 16’ Airstream around the country so I needed to retain my power and towing capabilities. Post pics when you get yours done.

 

[tysongladiator]

IMO 315/70R17 is the perfect combo. Jeep recommends additional equipment when installing 37’s. If you’re not wheeling weekly and it’s your daily driver I’d stick with 35’s. 37’s unequivocally put a great strain on the drive tran components. Premature wear is a matter of when not if. 37’s also require more upkeep. 0.02

For reference:

BFG KO2 315/70R17: actual diameter is 34.4 @ 64.5lbs each

BFG KO2 35x12.50R17: actual diameter is 34.5 @ 66.3lbs each

BFG KO2 37x12.50R17: actual diameter is 36.5 @ 69.5lbs each

I did the 315/70R17 option. It looks great without a lift or changing the engineered geometry of the drive tran. No bro dozer look. It’s only .1 smaller than a 35x12.50R17 and weighs a little less. Maybe I’m cautious but I daily drive and do moderate wheeling. I will get everywhere anyone else is running on a trail. Driver input is everything. 37’s are out of the question for me, not worth the extra wear and tear or $$. Full disclosure, I may have opened a controversial can of worms.

I agree with you. I have 295/75-18 on 18x9 wheels. Ride good and still handle off road. Why go to 37" when you don't need them? Looks maybe? You're right! Not worth the wear and tear they would cause!

I guess I helped you open that can of words. Hahaha!

 

[SgtMajTomahawk]

I had a 4in lift with 35s on my last JKU and I never felt like I needed more. I just never felt inadequate even without lockers. Every event I've gone to or group I've wheeled with I was always able to catch up. Maybe my break over was a little worse than those with huge tires, but the cost vs ability just wasn't very good IMO. Now if you have a dedicated rock crawler that you trailer then sure, but these damn tires are expensive and when it takes you 6 months to save up for 4 of them then consider what parts are going to wear out first from all the weight being slung around. Now this new JT I just got I don't know what to do yet. My Jeep guy tells me a 2in level kit and 35s is plenty, but then people on the forums say just go 37. I have no idea what I'm going to do. Maybe meet in the middle with a 3in in case I do want 37s later. One thing I do know is I don't want to make the same mistake I did with my JK and do it twice and waste money on labor byt starting small with the lift then realizing I needed more later on. It's a vicious cycle. If these JTs can actually handle the added stress of 37s and I don't have to replace a bunch of stuff then I might consider it, but it involves a bunch of parts and work 6 months down the road then better to just stay modest with 35s.

 

[Reddjeep]

IMO 315/70R17 is the perfect combo. Jeep recommends additional equipment when installing 37’s. If you’re not wheeling weekly and it’s your daily driver I’d stick with 35’s. 37’s unequivocally put a great strain on the drive tran components. Premature wear is a matter of when not if. 37’s also require more upkeep. 0.02

For reference:

BFG KO2 315/70R17: actual diameter is 34.4 @ 64.5lbs each

BFG KO2 35x12.50R17: actual diameter is 34.5 @ 66.3lbs each

BFG KO2 37x12.50R17: actual diameter is 36.5 @ 69.5lbs each

I did the 315/70R17 option. It looks great without a lift or changing the engineered geometry of the drive tran. No bro dozer look. It’s only .1 smaller than a 35x12.50R17 and weighs a little less. Maybe I’m cautious but I daily drive and do moderate wheeling. I will get everywhere anyone else is running on a trail. Driver input is everything. 37’s are out of the question for me, not worth the extra wear and tear or $$. Full disclosure, I may have opened a controversial can of worms.

i'm thinking of putting 35's on the stock rims that came with the gladiator rubi.....i may get new wheels too..but probably not. i have the upgraded rubicon black wheels and i actually like them a lot.

when you went to 35's without the lift...did you change offset, spacing...etc. it's all new territory and i don't want the tires to stick past the fender too much, if at all. but i like the look of the 35's. will it rub when you turn all the way in the front. i read sometimes the rear has to be raised a bit..etc. just a lot going on.

thanks!

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

35's with 1 1/2 leveling kit -12 offset CD 137 wheels

Which leveling kit did you go with? Also, what is the backspacing for those wheels? Trying to figure out how the wheels I want compare, and which BS and offset to go with. Your JTR is about perfect for a daily/weekend driver.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

We have the same exact Jeep in color, trim and mods. I also did the 1.5" Teraflex spacer lift up front and added a 0.75" Daystar rear spacer for the rear. I'm also going with 35"s, still waiting on my wheels and tires.

Thank you for posting photos of your setup. Now I know exactly how the stance of my JTR will look once I put the wheels/tires on.

I know the front will come with shock extensions, but do you need them in the rear with the 0.75” spacer?

this is the exact same JTR I have, and the same setup I want to run. Any info would be great. Thanks.

 

[Reasons]

I know the front will come with shock extensions, but do you need them in the rear with the 0.75” spacer?

this is the exact same JTR I have, and the same setup I want to run. Any info would be great. Thanks.

No need for shock extensions for 1.5" spacer lift up front. Did you mean bumpstops? Spacer lift of 0.75" at the rear will be fine and requires nothing additional.

 

[desertrecon]

Cooper Discoverer A/T3 XLT All- Terrain Radial Tire-37X12.50R17 with Fuel Offroad Wheels - REBEL 5 - Model D681 Bronze 17x9 - NO LIFT

 

[njjeepthing]

Cooper Discoverer A/T3 XLT All- Terrain Radial Tire-37X12.50R17 with Fuel Offroad Wheels - REBEL 5 - Model D681 Bronze 17x9 - NO LIFT

Do you have a side profile shot, like to see how much they stick out from the flares.

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