40s on narrow track axles?

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Who is running 40s on narrow track axles? I’d like to know how close your tires get to the front lower control arms at full steering lock.

I’ve had some conversations with people who’ve done it and I’ve gotten mixed responses. Some say it rubs, some say it doesn’t. Depends on wheel specs I know, and also whether or not their lower control arms have any lateral bend for clearance (like the factory arms). Most people are running 17x9 -38mm/3.5 BS with 40s so I’m gonna guess the lower control arm design might be the difference between rubbing or not rubbing. And before y’all tell me not to do it…. Too late. It’s happening.

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[JeepDaddyJT]

Who is running 40s on narrow track axles? I’d like to know how close your tires get to the front lower control arms at full steering lock.

I’ve had some conversations with people who’ve done it and I’ve gotten mixed responses. Some say it rubs, some say it doesn’t. Depends on wheel specs I know, and also whether or not their lower control arms have any lateral bend for clearance (like the factory arms). Most people are running 17x9 -38mm/3.5 BS with 40s so I’m gonna guess the lower control arm design might be the difference between rubbing or not rubbing. And before y’all tell me not to do it…. Too late. It’s happening.

40”n narrow axles

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

40”n narrow axles

Hell yeah. Love it. I have some questions:

Did you need wheel spacers for clearance? Does it rub at full lock? Which front lower control arms are you running?

 

[Deleted member 57233]

If you have them sitting there, why don't you bolt them on and see?

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

If you have them sitting there, why don't you bolt them on and see?

Let me go bolt on my imaginary wheels real quick… Why didn’t I think of this sooner?

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Jokes aside, it’s because I don’t have wheels yet. Also trying to make a decision on which control arms to buy and get a lift installed soon.

 

[Stan H]

Jokes aside, it’s because I don’t have wheels yet. Also trying to make a decision on which control arms to buy and get a lift installed soon.

Tera Flex Alpine . Dude they are great stuff rugged as heck too

 

[JeepDaddyJT]

Hell yeah. Love it. I have some questions:

Did you need wheel spacers for clearance? Does it rub at full lock? Which front lower control arms are you running?

3.5” backspace wheels / no rub / rock krawler

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

3.5” backspace wheels / no rub / rock krawler

Awesome. Thank you.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Imo Rubicon axles are still a smidge too narrow for 40s properly. Real 39x12.5s would be the max, if anybody made them.

Narrow axles you're going to be making even more sacrifices. Can it be made to work? Sure. But not well. Lots of steering stop and bump stop.

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Imo Rubicon axles are still a smidge too narrow for 40s properly. Real 39x12.5s would be the max, if anybody made them.

Narrow axles you're going to be making even more sacrifices. Can it be made to work? Sure. But not well. Lots of steering stop and bump stop.

Wheel spacers. Just rather avoid them if I can. I’ve run them in the past without issue. 1.75” spacers would make 66.5” WMS +3.5= 70” WMS

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

3.5” backspace wheels / no rub / rock krawler

Imo Rubicon axles are still a smidge too narrow for 40s properly. Real 39x12.5s would be the max, if anybody made them.

Narrow axles you're going to be making even more sacrifices. Can it be made to work? Sure. But not well. Lots of steering stop and bump stop.

@JeepDaddyJT Did you need lots of steering stop and bump stop?

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Wheel spacers. Just rather avoid them if I can. I’ve run them in the past without issue. 1.75” spacers would make 66.5” WMS +3.5= 70” WMS

That's not the same as a wider axle. That's a 66.5" with spacers. Sure it's the same if your wheels are straight but you've increased your scrub radius and added clearance issues at the front and rear of the tire near lock under flex.

I know you're only asking about control arms, so if you're only worried about driving it on the street and easy trails it'll be fine with good control arms like the Core4x4 installed with the bend towards the rear.

But it's not enough to take advantage of the travel. Especially with factory fender liners.

 

[Trail_Limo_Tim]

Imo Rubicon axles are still a smidge too narrow for 40s properly. Real 39x12.5s would be the max, if anybody made them.

Narrow axles you're going to be making even more sacrifices. Can it be made to work? Sure. But not well. Lots of steering stop and bump stop.

That's not the same as a wider axle. That's a 66.5" with spacers. Sure it's the same if your wheels are straight but you've increased your scrub radius and added clearance issues at the front and rear of the tire near lock under flex.

I know you're only asking about control arms, so if you're only worried about driving it on the street and easy trails it'll be fine with good control arms like the Core4x4 installed with the bend towards the rear.

But it's not enough to take advantage of the travel. Especially with factory fender liners.

Scrub radius is increased, yes. That’s mainly why I’d like to avoid the spacers.

As for the other comments, they seem to contradict the comment about Rubicon axles being too narrow. If it needs to be wider than 68” WMS Rubicon and 70” WMS isn’t enough then maybe I’ve missed something you were trying to say.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

then maybe I’ve missed something you were trying to say.

Pretty much.

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