Wheel size question

[theexbrit]

I removed the plastic fender flares no my 96 in an effort to make it look less like a soccer mom minivan & now (of course) I want to put some rock crawlers on which have a -3.75 back space. This means that the tires are going to stick out beyond the (now flat) fenders. It looks like I'll have to make some fender flares as California law states that the body must cover the tread of the tire & I don't want to put the cheesy OEM flares back on. Anyway, my question is, if I use 33x10.5 or 33x11.5 tires any idea on how much they would stick out with them mounted on the rock crawlers? & yes, I know the 33x11.5's will stick out 1/2" more than the 33x10.5's :laugh:

[devonianwalk]

Man, you guys have to cover your tread too? Apparently we are getting away with bloody murder in South Carolina. We don't even have vehicle inspections! Sure, a cop could pull you over for a busted windshield or burned out lights and such but, we don't have emissions to worry about. Blame us for global warming!

[ltsnotme]

I removed the plastic fender flares no my 96 in an effort to make it look less like a soccer mom minivan & now (of course) I want to put some rock crawlers on which have a -3.75 back space. This means that the tires are going to stick out beyond the (now flat) fenders. It looks like I'll have to make some fender flares as California law states that the body must cover the tread of the tire & I don't want to put the cheesy OEM flares back on. Anyway, my question is, if I use 33x10.5 or 33x11.5 tires any idea on how much they would stick out with them mounted on the rock crawlers? & yes, I know the 33x11.5's will stick out 1/2" more than the 33x10.5's :laugh:

 

I thought those fender flares were what made the pathfinder look less like a soccer mom minivan

[theexbrit]

Nah, looks way better without them Personal opinion I guess, although it does make my Pathy look a bit like a Cherokee

 

I'll probably make some custom flares when I see how far the tires stick out.

 

@devonianwalk, so you guys are the culprits!!!

[Tungsten]

I think R50s with larger wheels look much better with flares than with their flat fenders.

With small wheels, it's the opposite. They definitely look neater without the flares on small wheels.

Edited March 19, 2012 by Tungsten

[ltsnotme]

I think R50s with larger wheels look much better with flares than with their flat fenders.

With small wheels, it's the opposite. They definitely look neater without the flares on small wheels.

 

True. I have smallish wheels, and it does look pretty weird.

[dynomax]

I think R50s with larger wheels look much better with flares than with their flat fenders.

With small wheels, it's the opposite. They definitely look neater without the flares on small wheels.

 

Well, I have an opinion on that too. My 04 Chinook has the 5 spoke fat 16x8 wheels With 6" backspacing, and they look set in way too far.

 

I see other pathfinders with the same wheels and no flares, they look great, but a 4.5" offset is what I need on mine with the flares.

Edited March 19, 2012 by dynomax

[pathfounder]

I think the flares look better on than off, and that small wheels in big wells can't be helped.

[theexbrit]

True, I'm looking at the small tires I have now, looks better without flares. When I fit the new, bigger tires I'll have to reevaluate. It may be a moot point as we are supposed to have the tread covered here in California. maybe I'll have to find some used flares anyway.

[theexbrit]

All this talk about flares or no flares got us off subject :laugh:

 

I still ask the question how much will they stick out with 33x10.5 tires on 3.75 backspaced wheels? Devonianwalk has big tires & flat fenders, how much do they stick out bro? It's hard to tell from your sig, too much mud!!

[devonianwalk]

All this talk about flares or no flares got us off subject :laugh:

 

I still ask the question how much will they stick out with 33x10.5 tires on 3.75 backspaced wheels? Devonianwalk has big tires & flat fenders, how much do they stick out bro? It's hard to tell from your sig, too much mud!!

 

 

My sig pic must be deceiving? I have 31x10.5 tires on 3.75 BS wheels. I had removed my flares for several months but, decided to put them back on ONLY because I didn't like the holes in the body work where the factory flares attached.

 

*I just noticed that the flares were off in my sig pic.

 

Here's a clean picture of my R50 the day after the lift ...

 

[theexbrit]

Thanks for the new pic, it, gives me a better idea of the "look". The bummer is, I just threw away my old flares I removed them a month or two ago & had them laying around the garage, then a few days ago I thought "what the hell, I'll never use these again" & tossed them! "

Edited March 21, 2012 by theexbrit

[ltsnotme]

Thanks for the new pic, it, gives me a better idea of the "look". The bummer is, I just threw away my old flares I removed them a month or two ago & had them laying around the garage, then a few days ago I thought "what the hell, I'll never use these again" & tossed them! "

[devonianwalk]

... then a few days ago I thought "what the hell, I'll never use these again" & tossed them! "

 

I came really close to doing the same!

 

I would have left them off of mine if it wern't for the holes in the fender. I think that it actually looks like a larger lift with them off as it increases the wheel well opening by just over an inch (or so).

[theexbrit]

I came really close to doing the same!

 

I would have left them off of mine if it wern't for the holes in the fender. I think that it actually looks like a larger lift with them off as it increases the wheel well opening by just over an inch (or so).

 

 

I got some black auto panel clips & put them in the holes, it looks ok until I can get some custom flares made.

[dynomax]

My sig pic must be deceiving? I have 31x10.5 tires on 3.75 BS wheels. I had removed my flares for several months but, decided to put them back on ONLY because I didn't like the holes in the body work where the factory flares attached.

 

*I just noticed that the flares were off in my sig pic.

 

Here's a clean picture of my R50 the day after the lift ...

 

 

I decided to stick with my factory wheels. I'm going to paint them duplicolor graphite color. I like yours with the white letters turned in. I think the solid black sidewalls make a tire appear larger than it is.

 

The only white letters I like are the BFG AT KO but I don't like those tires!

[theexbrit]

I thought I was going to get the white lettering on the 31" Kelley's I got but the guys put the black wall out instead. I think it looks better now with the black out plus the white would get scraped off after a while where I go wheelin'. It's not sidewall friendly!

 

I don't know if anyone has experience with the Kelly Safari ATR's but they're nice & quite on the road with a good ride. I'll post an off road report after I've taken them for a dirt trial. The tread is not too aggressive (hence the quite ride) but it looks like it will be pretty good for desert & rocks. A lot of people gave them pretty good reviews. I got a good deal on these 31's, $133 each plus fitting from Discount Tire Center.