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5" lift and 38.5x15x16s

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RSNHELL

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Im running a 5"lift and want to run 38.5x15x16 boggers, I,ve cut the fenders to fit but wondering if they'll rub the inner fender aprons.I don't really want to get rid of the inner aprons to keep most of the mud out of the engine compartment.What is the widest and tallest I could get by with? I could do a one inch body lift if I need to ,thanks
 
make some different inner fenders... Ive seen a lot of different ideas. Use some real stiff material, and bolt it to your frame. then make it go straight up till its close to the hood. should keep most of the goo out....
 
also... if you want to run a bigger tire, try moving your axle forward a few inches. so as to clear your firewall.
 
You will rub the inner fender wells with 38's. I rub mine with 35's and 4.5" lift. You can move the axle forward 1-1.5" to help with the rubbing. You can also cut the back of the fender apron's free so they will push back farther and let it flex more.

With 38" tires, 5" of lift, no axle relocation you would rub the firewall if you didn't run fenderwells.

Harley
 
Thanks for the info.I didn't even think about the firewall. Maybe i'll just go with the 35's .It seems to be a little to involved for me right now.I just spent alot of time and money getting my suspension geometry dialed in.Thank you again,experience counts.
 
RSNHELL said:
Thanks for the info.I didn't even think about the firewall. Maybe i'll just go with the 35's .It seems to be a little to involved for me right now.I just spent alot of time and money getting my suspension geometry dialed in.Thank you again,experience counts.
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Sounds like it's a little bit too late for this advice, but I'll post it for consideration anyway:

Tires determine EVERYTHING else in your build.

Once you've selected the tire size you want, you can work backwards from that decision and know immediately how much axle strength you'll need, what sort of gearing, lift, suspension mods, fender trimming, inner fender mods, etc.

It sounds like an over-simplification but it really is that straightforward.
 
I run 38x13-16 TSL's on 16x10 rims with just 4" Tuff Country springs on the front. The outer fenders are trimmed quite a bit, and the lower portion of the inner liner at the firewall is cut away (engine compartment still sealed up). I then cut the vertical firewall seam in a few places and pounded it flat. The truck gets used hard on the trail and the only time the tires rub the firewall is at full lock, full flex, and pointed downhill (extra weight on the front).

With that said, with your current 5" lift you might be okay with the slightly wider tires, but a zero rate block with the axle moved forward a little should be no problem to clear.
 
Yeah l had geared everything toward 35's to start with, but after I swapped in the 14 bolt and reading more and more, 38's sounded pretty good to make up the ground clearance. Maybe I could go 37's with zero rates and 1" body.I thought about the 38x13x16 but
didn't like the stability factor in such a tall skinny tire. Jst trying to keep the center of gravity as low as possible ,while gaining ground clearance and not sacraficing stability.Every inch up should be 1 inch wider.Don't ya think?
 
RSNHELL said:
Yeah l had geared everything toward 35's to start with, but after I swapped in the 14 bolt and reading more and more, 38's sounded pretty good to make up the ground clearance. Maybe I could go 37's with zero rates and 1" body.I thought about the 38x13x16 but
didn't like the stability factor in such a tall skinny tire. Jst trying to keep the center of gravity as low as possible ,while gaining ground clearance and not sacraficing stability.Every inch up should be 1 inch wider.Don't ya think?
Click to expand...

No arguement here....! :cool1:

I'm one of the few people here that like wider tires (my own rig uses a 38.5" x 16"W x 16.5" tire)......for sure, a wider wheel track helps to offset the higher lift and helps with stability.

It may not be the "ideal" tire for hardcore wheeling, but from an aesthetic point of view, it does give a nice beefy look. :thumb:
 
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