OEM Jeep wheels; steel vs. Moab

[JohnnyS]

Does anyone know the spec on the steel 15" wheels that came on non-rubi LJs?
I want to replace my black steel wheels with factory steel 15" wheels from a buddies LJ. My black steel 15x8s (3.75" BS) stick out too far with 10.50s and cover everything, including my face, in mud/sand/pebbles/snow,etc..
Are they 15x7? The Moabs were 16x7 I think.
What is the offset compared to a Moab?
Thanks for any input.

 

[Lumberjack]

The steel I think are 15 x 7 with 5.5" backspace. With 33 x 10.50's on stock rims you will have to put a washer or 2 under the steering stops if you want to stop rubbing on the lower control arms. Here was my LJ with 33's on stock rims...


Dennis

Edit - the steel could be 15 x 6 with 5.5" backspacing.

 

[Bishop Creek]

All non-Rubi LJs from the factory came with aluminum Ravine wheels, 15X8 with 5.5" back spacing. You cannot go wider than a 10.50 tire with that wheel. The Rubi Moabs are 16X8 with 5 inches of back spacing.

Ravine wheel.

 

[winkosmosis]

Why can't you go wider than 10.5 with a 15x8 wheel? Also are you sure the Ravine is 15x8? I thought all the stock wheels were 15x7

 

[computeruser]

I don't remember the backspace numbers, but here is the factory steel wheels with an unusually wide 31-10.50-15.

 

[Skylinerider]

All non-Rubi LJs from the factory came with aluminum Ravine wheels, 15X8 with 5.5" back spacing. You cannot go wider than a 10.50 tire with that wheel.

I run a 15x8 with an 11.5" wide tire. Is there something specific to the Ravine that you can't do it?

 

[Bishop Creek]

The stock steel wheels that came on X model TJs etc., were 15X7 with 28" tires. The LJs (except for the Rubi) all had 15X8 aluminum Ravine wheels with 30" tires.

It is the back spacing that limits the tire size on stock wheels. With 5.5" back spacing, anything wider than 10.50 will rub the control arms and maybe your shocks. You need a minimum of 4.75" or less back spacing to run a 12.50 wide tire. Unless you have wheel spacers I would think that a 11.5 wide tire (32" tire) with 5.5" of back spacing would rub quite a bit, even if you didn't realize it.

 

[JohnnyS]

Thanks for all the great info!