Wheels and tires for wagoneer

[Gwilbanks]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting on here and I am hoping that I learn a little something from the collective knowledge on here.

This past winter, I purchased a 1982 jeep wagoneer that is in pretty good condition, just needing some basic things. I am looking to get new wheels and tires because I will be upgrading the brakes and the requires something bigger than the stock 15" wheels.

Today, I have come across a set of wheels and tires on Facebook marketplace for a good price. They are a set of mickey thompson classic 3 wheels that are 16"x8" with a backspacing of 4.5". The tires on them are Cooper at3 265/75. I was already looking to get a set of the mickey Thompson wheels. I was also wanting to put a maximum of 31" tires on my wagoneer but nothing bigger.

I will be installing a 4" lift on my wagoneer. Does anyone know if this wheel and tire combo will fit properly. I do not want any rubbing and I will not trim the wheel wells or fenders. I also would like to avoid using wheel spacers.

I appreciate any help with this.

[akguy09]

Did your wagoneer come with the nice wheels by chance?

[devildog80]

Why do you feel the brakes need replaced? OEM brakes on your truck are more than capable to handle 31" tires, and you do not need to replace anything except rear shoes, front pads, and choice of tires.
Here is what a 4" lift looks like with stock tires & wheels, and with the 31x10.5x15's that were on it when first came home. 31's filled the wheel wells a little better, but my project was for 95% highway miles, so went back to stock 235/75R/15LT.

With 31's when it came home. Were cooked from sitting 18 years.
IMG_20220410_131339850_HDR by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

Stock 235's only about an inch shorter, but smooth tread.
20231004_110917 by Scott Weckerly, on Flickr

[Yeller]

Welcome aboard the insane asylum

We are simple people we like pics. We like pics. We are happy to help you work through the nuances of posting pics here.

They will fit. the 265 tire is tall for a 31 but close. As for rubbing maybe and this is a maybe on the inside at full lock on the front. The rear should be fine. Hopefully someone will chime in that has run that size.

[Gwilbanks]

Did your wagoneer come with the nice wheels by chance?

It came with the stock turbine style wheels.

[Gwilbanks]

Why do you feel the brakes need replaced? OEM brakes on your truck are more than capable to handle 31" tires, and you do not need to replace anything except rear shoes, front pads, and choice of tires.
Here is what a 4" lift looks like with stock tires & wheels, and with the 31x10.5x15's that were on it when first came home. 31's filled the wheel wells a little better, but my project was for 95% highway miles, so went back to stock 235/75R/15LT.

I have replaced my rear drum brake shoes already, but haven't touched the front disk brake pads. From driving it, it doesn't stop as good as I would like. Also, I plan on eventually doing a LS swap on it and I will definitely want more braking power with the extra horsepower.

[Gwilbanks]

Welcome aboard the insane asylum

We are simple people we like pics. We like pics. We are happy to help you work through the nuances of posting pics here.

They will fit. the 265 tire is tall for a 31 but close. As for rubbing maybe and this is a maybe on the inside at full lock on the front. The rear should be fine. Hopefully someone will chime in that has run that size.

I was wanting to go with a 265/70 tire which comes out to to just under 31" at 30.6". The tires that are on the wheels that I am looking at buying are 265/75, which are 31.6" overall diameter. The guy is asking $700 for the set of wheels and tires, so its too good of a deal to want to change the tires.

My main concern would be the 4.5" backspacing on the wheels causing rubbing, since the original backspacing is 3.75" (if I am wrong, please correct me). I haven't ever tried to size a tire and wheel combo on a vehicle and I have read the Wagoneers can be a bit a pain to select wheels and tires.

[Yeller]

Since you confirmed the back spacing of the originals. The centerline if the tire will be very close to stock, my bet is on fine.

[devildog80]

When you get front pads done, you will notice much better braking, as front disc does about 70% of the stopping. No matter how much power you have to go forward, 4 banger or a rocket engine, makes no difference in how much braking you need to stop. Distance and conditions will dictate that every time you apply the brakes. If anything, the LS weighs less, so you would need less stopping power. These old rigs are not modern vehicles, and do not start, drive, ride, or stop like them, and have their limits like any other machine.

[Gwilbanks]

Here are some pictures of my Wagoneer.

20231218_091652 by garret wilbanks, on Flickr[/img]

20231218_091629 by garret wilbanks, on Flickr[/img]

[devildog80]

Nice looking rig, and would rather have mine at that height, for my intended use. Came to me as is, so working with it.

[will e]

Howdy from Phoenix. What brake upgrade are you planning on using? Will it change the offset?

[Gwilbanks]

Howdy from Phoenix. What brake upgrade are you planning on using? Will it change the offset?

On BJ's Offroad, they have a direct bolt on replacement for the front calipers and they are a duel piston caliper. They are a stock GM part so I will try to find that part number and get them since BJ's can be quite pricey.

For the rear brakes, BJ's also has a disc brake conversion. I may end up getting that one or I might go with a Wilwood disc conversion that they have for the AMC rearends.

Both of those brake setups require a 16" wheel or bigger.

[Gwilbanks]

Nice looking rig, and would rather have mine at that height, for my intended use. Came to me as is, so working with it.

My wagoneer is still at the stock height. I would go with a 2" lift but I was told that I would need to go with a 4" lift in order for the 31" tires to not rub. The stock height looks good but in my opinion, they look better with a little bit of lift. Also, my springs are probably worn out and more than likely sagging a bit.

[devildog80]

I have heard if using as a DD, the 31's are fine at stock height? I know with the original 31's my rig came home with, no trouble with frame/spring rub at full turns, maybe just full stuff up in fender wells might see just a touch? But that would only be if off road scenario. Others with that experience can advise better, as I was only showing comparison of how the 31's vs stock tire size looked, with the 4" lift mine has.
Good luck with your build, and will be following

[akguy09]

Did your wagoneer come with the nice wheels by chance?

It came with the stock turbine style wheels.

I love those wheels

[Srdayflyer]

i installed a 3" spring lift ,having removed a 4" spacer body lift ( it was jankey) and run 32x11.5x15's without any issue, however braking was not as expected and trouble shooting found the brake booster had a leak, when replaced it stop just fine, has the same feel as my2006 ram 2500 4x4.

[devildog80]

OP.....how are you coming along with the wheel/tire decision? What did you decide to do?

[jersonin1]

Assist. Picked up 87 wagoneer for wife. We just use these for besck combing, fishing etc. ? Is, what's the largest tire can be run. 33's fit?
I run a 77 scout. And the larger tires are right for the beach is all terrains. Mus, sand, water, streams ect. And help appreciated

[devildog80]

Assist. Picked up 87 wagoneer for wife. We just use these for besck combing, fishing etc. ? Is, what's the largest tire can be run. 33's fit?
I run a 77 scout. And the larger tires are right for the beach is all terrains. Mus, sand, water, streams ect. And help appreciated

For sand width is more important than height, 33's will be about as big as you want to go on stock springs with a Wagoneer, and I see most run a 31x10.5x15 tires. The taller tires come into play more for belly/axle clearance, in uneven/rocky terrain applications, but do work as good on sand too with proper width. Depending on available sizes out there, price quickly becomes a factor, so get what your Jeep pockets are comfortable with