Rubicon Recon UL (2017) Suspension

7671 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by LuvmyXJ, Mar 4, 2018

RubiRecon17

Discussion Starter · Feb 28, 2018

My primary question is the stock Rubicon Recon "lifted" more than the other models of Jeep Wranglers?

I have just purchased new wheels for my 2017 stock Rubicon Recon--Fuel 17 X 8.5" with 5.25" backspacing and I have been all over the internet and this forum regarding what size tires to buy.

I am considering 285/70R/17 tires but I have seen where they will hit the fenders and rub when used off road. I don't plan on doing a lot of off-roading but I want to make sure that I'm not going to have a problem with the size of the tires.

I like the look of bigger and wider tires than the 255/75/17's that are on it today.

I hope this isn't a dumb question.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

4fit

· #2 · Feb 28, 2018

Welcome.

Yes, the Recon sits a bit higher than most other JKs. That being said, disconnected and fully stuffed off-road, you could still get into your inner fenders a bit with the 285/70/17s unless you add a small bumpstop extension or went with flat fenders (flat fenders on a Recon can have you running 35s). My previous JKU had a 2" lift in the front and still made decent contact with the inner fender when fully flexed and disconnected with 285/75/16s (same size as the 285/70/17s).

Reactions: 1

RubiRecon17

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 1, 2018

Thank you! Your response helped a lot.

Given that i can put bigger tires on a Recon, do you know how much weight the stock spare holder/rear door can hold? Unfortunately, I did not get the optional beefed up door.

BeyondYourFrontDoor

· #4 · Mar 1, 2018

RubiRecon17 said:
Thank you! Your response helped a lot.

Given that i can put bigger tires on a Recon, do you know how much weight the stock spare holder/rear door can hold? Unfortunately, I did not get the optional beefed up door.

I've carried a 35" on my 09 for a long time with no issues, but wasn't really hard on it. Others will have welds popping and things twisting... but some tires are much heavier...

I wouldn't worry about a normal-duty 285 on the factory carrier...

RubiRecon17

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 1, 2018

Thank you! I've decided on a LT285/75R17 that weighs 61 pounds versus the stock tire which weighs 47 lbs. Is that a weight difference that I should be concerned about?

jestersix

· #6 · Mar 1, 2018

RubiRecon17 said:
Thank you! I've decided on a LT285/75R17 that weighs 61 pounds versus the stock tire which weighs 47 lbs. Is that a weight difference that I should be concerned about?

You should be OK with that, but you would need to make sure the tire is properly braced against the rear tailgate, and the tire.

The damage to the tailgate welds are usually attributed to the tire shaking, moving due to it not being properly braced against the tailgate.

People have bought extended stops, as well as using rubber hose to re-enforce the existing stops.

This is an example of the Daystar stops:
https://www.extremeterrain.com/daystar-tailgate-bumpstop-jk-kj09144bk.html?utm_content=XT%20Exterior%20-%20Other%7CDaystar&utm_source=google-pla&utm_medium=shopping&T5_Var3=yellow&T5_Var4=J101406&intl=0&utm_campaign=XTW+Wrangler+Vehicle+Medium&gclid=CNn3m_P1y9kCFQm7swodhnwBdg&gclsrc=ds

DAVIDD97TJ

· #7 · Mar 2, 2018

RubiRecon17 are you lifting or going the fender route to stop fender rub? I the have the same Jeep.I am also wanting to run 285 75 17.

jadmt

· #8 · Mar 2, 2018

this is what it looks like with 285/75-17 and 2" spacer lift.

See less See more

RubiRecon17

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 2, 2018

DAVIDD97TJ said:
RubiRecon17 are you lifting or going the fender route to stop fender rub? I the have the same Jeep.I am also wanting to run 285 75 17.

I wasn't going to lift because I didn't think i needed to. It appears, however, that lifting may be inevitable to get the look and functionality that I want.

RubiRecon17

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 2, 2018

jadmt said:
this is what it looks like with 285/75-17 and 2" spacer lift.

Thanks for the pic. Needed to see how that size tire looks. Your ride looks Great! Freaky thing is that it looks like your Rubicon is in MY driveway!
How do you like the Cooper tires? Did you put the larger tires on before the lift?
I'm seeing now that modifying my Jeep will be addicting but fun!! So far, I have only modified the sound system, put in a remote start for a manual tranny, and a rear back-up camera. Out of curiosity, how much does a lift like yours cost?

jadmt

· #11 · Mar 2, 2018

If you were to go back over the years and read my posts you would find that I am somewhat of a tire whore. I would wager nobody changes tires as much as I do. I like these Coopers a lot and in fact my last 3 sets of tires (in a years time) have been Cooper st/maxx's. you really do need a small lift to run these tires. the AEV 2" lift is $285.

StealthJK

· #12 · Mar 2, 2018

I vote two inch spacer lift and wheel spacers

jestersix

· #13 · Mar 2, 2018

I did a 1" Teraflex spacer front and rear, and running Cooper STT Max 295/70/17 on AEV Borah wheels.

I originally went with no lift, but other changes I made required a little lift.

The spacer lifts work fine for small lifts. Also add's to the look.

See less See more

Reactions: 2

RubiRecon17

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 4, 2018

Your ride looks fantastic with the lift and Cooper 295's! Very inspiring!

Reactions: 1

LuvmyXJ

· #15 · Mar 4, 2018

RubiRecon,

The tire carrier/tailgate is rated at 85 pounds without the upgraded carrier, so your tire choice will be fine.

I ran with Nitto 35x12.50/17s on my stock suspension until just two weeks ago when I upgraded to a lift and flat fenders. I did not get any rubbing from lock to lock (used ProComp wheels with 4.75 inch backspacing) but I did wear off a few of the plastic rivets on the rear fenders when running logging roads, etc. I didn't even think about disconnecting with them on. On road, however, was just fine other than large potholes.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.