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):

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[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.

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