RC 3" lift and 31" tires are rubbing

[roscoejohnson]

I installed the Rough Country 3" lift because it shows that 31x10.5 tires can be used. Well, my 31x10.5x15 tires rub the front fenders fairly easily and they rub the rear fenders under extreme articulation. I did a lot of research on this site and others and everyone seems to agree that the 3" lift should clear the 31's. I measured the lift from wheel center to fender and it appears as though I got at least 3" of lift. Any ideas as to why the tires rub or what to do to fix it? I do not want to start cutting my fenders. Am I expecting too much from a 3" lift or should the 31's fit OK?

 

[mbogosia]

I am running 30's on my 4" lift. I wish I had your 31's. You might have to do some trimming to make them work. You'll need to start identifying where they are rubbing and begin trimming. I'm sure it won't take much.

 

[IllianaXJ]

Stock wheels? Rubbing while turning under normal circumstances, or when flexing?

Proper bumpstops in the front and rear will cure the rubbing under "extreme" articulation.

 

[FlexdXJ]

I installed the Rough Country 3" lift because it shows that 31x10.5 tires can be used. Well, my 31x10.5x15 tires rub the front fenders fairly easily and they rub the rear fenders under extreme articulation. I did a lot of research on this site and others and everyone seems to agree that the 3" lift should clear the 31's. I measured the lift from wheel center to fender and it appears as though I got at least 3" of lift. Any ideas as to why the tires rub or what to do to fix it? I do not want to start cutting my fenders. Am I expecting too much from a 3" lift or should the 31's fit OK?

You probably will have to cut but not much. you should be able to cut on the inside where its not easily noticable!

 

[roscoejohnson]

Stock wheels? Rubbing while turning under normal circumstances, or when flexing?

Proper bumpstops in the front and rear will cure the rubbing under "extreme" articulation.

First, thanks for all the quick responses.

The wheels are not stock, they came with the Jeep when I bought it used. I will check the backspacing tonight. The front wheels rub both the front and rear of the fender well while turning under slight articulation.

The rear wheels only rub under extreme articulation as in going through a ditch at an angle with some speed. If I stop midway through the ditch with the opposing tires in the air, there is no rubbing. If I drive through the ditch with a moderate amount of speed, then the rear tire will rub the back portion of the fender well.

I do have a front bumper from Nate's coming, so that might take care of the front bumper being rubbed, but not the rear of the front fender well.

Any ideas on how much bump stop would be needed in the rear? Since it doesn't rub under static articulation, it is hard for me to measure how much more I need.

 

[downhillracer]

You shouldn't need much..... i have a 3 inch lift, trimmed the rear and have about 3 extra inches of bumpstop and im running 33's. The bumper on the front isnt going to help with the rub, it might make it worse by weighing the front end down and getting the fenders in the way even more. If i was you I would tear out the plastic inner fender in the front and then trim as needed or bumpstop accordingly once the bumper is on(there are some good write ups on here). For the rear... get some daystar extended bumps or maybe some mj bumps from the pnp if one is nearby. Good luck.

 

[Steve_Moore]

I have the exact same setup as you. I went with the 4.5" rears and 2 hockey pucks in the front. I also trimmed about 1.5" off the fronts and cut and rolled the rears.




This is the front before bumpstopping.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

If ya trim, you should fit 33"s! so i dont see how your rubbing with 31"s. thats my setup, but im also trimmed, i trimmed atleast 2" up front, and 1" in the rear. im taking my lift up to a 4" and go to a 35" tire..

 

[downhillracer]

If ya trim, you should fit 33"s! so i dont see how your rubbing with 31"s. thats my setup, but im also trimmed, i trimmed atleast 2" up front, and 1" in the rear. im taking my lift up to a 4" and go to a 35" tire..

As soon as I saw the 33's on I wish that I had got 35's. Would have cleared those pretty easily with a little more bumpstop and maybe a shackle/spacer.

 

[AussieDave]

i have 31's on with a 1" lift and bushwacker cut out flares.

just cut it up.

 

[jeepcomj]

if you're rubbing 31's heavily at turn and flex, then your backspacing isn't right at all.

I always rubbed my 31's when I flexed...so I bumpstopped accordingly, and no more rubbage

 

[94CountryXJ]

I have the same lift and 31's. They only rub when the wheel is turned to the lock. I haven't had a chance to flex it much since I am holding off till i get my bumpstops.

 

[chedisme]

Yea I have the RC 3" and rub my 30"s in the front. but I think I have too much backspacing(4.25 I think). also It doesn't help that I jumped it and messed up the driver side fender. I haven't done it yet but, hockey pucks are the way to go, at least in the front.

 

[Rod Knee]

If you have stock wheels with the 5.25 inch backspace and you don't want to trim you probably won't need to do much but add hockey pucks up front (one per side). The long (MJ?) rear bumpstops from Quadratec are about 1.25 inches longer than XJ bumpstops and will probably suffice in back. With less backspace in your wheels, figuring out what will be necessary will take more doing.

The amount of lift is pretty much inconsequential. If you are rubbing now you could add another 5 inches and still rub at full compression if you do not address bumpstops, trimming, backspace, or tire size...or some combination of all factors.