78 Wagoneer with 4" BJ's & 32" BFG KM2's rubbing

[PUDS]

I've read this before, but need some expert opinion on a solution. I just picked up my first FSJ, a 78 Wagoneer with an 88 body/interior. Drivetrain has been completely rebuilt, the underside is great it just needs a body job and interior work and finishing touches to driveline. It is a project!

Anyway, it has close to brand new 32 x 10.5 R15 BFG KM2's on it and the passenger side has been rubbing hard on the springs (4" BJ's lift). That one tire may need to be replaced as it has actually cut the lugs, not just rubbed. This was all done by previous owner, I just picked it up and am starting to go over things. It is currently riding on stock wheels, and I'm hoping that by going to a 15 x 8 wheel with -19 offset (3.25" backspacing opposed to the stock 3.75") that it should fix my issue and provide a better stance for the truck. Can anybody confirm this for me that may have a similar setup?

Thanks, looking forward to learning a lot here!

[243]

There is a stop bolt on the back side of the knuckle that limits the travel, if the bolt is missing or out of adjustment that would have allowed the tire to hit the spring.

You can find a ton of factory manuals at the link below, the adjustment is section 2F-12 in the 1979 Service Manual.

http://oljeep.com/edge_parts_man.html

[Stuka]

I would keep the same back spacing, as it makes for better steering. But a 15x8" wheel will move the tire out half an inch compared to your stock wheels.

And as 243 mentioned, the steering stop needs to be adjusted.

[PUDS]

I don't have steering stops, my truck started life as a 78, has parts from a bunch of years though including 84, 88, etc. Not sure when they got rid of those, but there is no holes in the knuckles for the stop bolts anywhere.

[Stuka]

Every FSJ front axle had a steering stop.

Yours should be on the backside of the knuckle, right about in the middle. They screw in from the back.

Its possible somebody removed them and they filled up with dirt, but the holes should definitely be there.

[ClovisMan]

Look^^^^ There it is!!!

[Stuka]

Look^^^^ There it is!!!

Thats a TJ/XJ/ZJ axle (noticeable by the drag link hookup), has the steering stop on the front side. But looks basically the same.

[RamJetFSJ]

I dont think BFG makes a 32x10.5, so it is probably a 32x11.5? If so, I can see how it would rub. I have 33x10.5 General Grabbers on my stock wheels, and yes, they rub the springs. You'll definitely need to adjust your steering stop (If they dont have one).

I also ran 32x11.5 mud tires on 15x8 aftermarket wheels, which had a little less backspacing, and they were fine, didnt rub the springs, but just barely.

[PUDS]

They are definitely 32 x 10.5, maybe not available anymore? I'll triple check for the steering stops, maybe they're missing bolts and holes are filled it first as mentioned. Thanks

[PUDS]

I'm a newbie, they are 32 x 11.5 and the steering stops are there on the back. I looked at the front for the stops and I could have sworn I read 10.5 on the tires but my sight ain't exactly 20/20. Sorry folks and I do appreciate the quick replies. Either way I have a new set of wheels 15x8 with 3.25 backspscing on the way. Should give an extra 1/2" of clearance on insure and push outside of tire to be flush with fenders instead of tucked in so far.