First off: yes, I've seen the other posts.

Here's the deal:

I have a 2000 4x4 Xterra SE

I just installed a 3" Calmini lift (full kit), which is great.

However, I can't quite fit my 15x32" BFG AT's. When I turn full to the right or left, they rub on the mud flap area near the bottom. Trimming won't cut it as the mud flap has been completely removed and it still does it.

Another note: I am running rock crawler rims 15x8 with 3.75.

It seems that I need to either drop down to 31", add 2" BL, or change the rims.

I really don't want to lift the vehicle any more so that rules on the 2" BL.

I really don't want to drop the tire size down for various reasons: 1.) Not sure of Tire Rack's return policy once the tires are mounted, and 2.) I like the size of the tires on the Xterra.

So, the preference would be to change the rims to closer to a stock 5.00 vs. 3.75.

However, will these size tires work with this offset?

Everything looks great: they stick out just a bit giving a good stance (maybe just slightly more than I'd like), they make the vehicle taller, just look really good. But, there's that rubbing issue when turning far right or far left.

Anyone run into this before? Is it the rim?

Thank you,

Dan

the question i have is, how far did you crank the tortion bars? is there about a 1/2 or less space between the upper bumpstop and control arm?

if you cranked the tbars right, you may just have to cut a some plastik from the mudflap area.

i run the 3.75 bs on my wheels and 32x11.5r15 mt/r's
i only have a pml, but i had to remove the plastic portion that the mudflap attaches to completely and fold some metal.

Read this thread here.

SteelX posted pics of what was done to prevent rubbing from the front. The X is with a PML and no BL. Check it out, should help a little.

EDIT: Speaking of the devil, Manny.

I have rims with that backspacing and I know I will not be able to run any bigger that 31" without doing a 2"BL.

The 3" SL lift alone will not give your tires that much more clearance, as it simply raise the suspension components.

Consider doing the 2" BL anyway to improve articulation (flex). Most people still running IFS have 3"SL & 2"BL.

OR...get new rims, BS of 4.75 and have tire rack remount the tires.

OR...get a sawzall and a grinder!!!

Body lift does nothing to improve the flex, in itself. The only reason people are installing a BL is to clear bigger tires.

Longer Shackles for the rear spring packs, however, to prove to provide more articulation for the rear.

Not to start a pissing match, but if the body is further away from the tires...don't you get more travel before the tire is stuffed against the wheel well?

Maybe I am mistaken?

I guess I am telling him that he will RESTORE flex from the same wheel/tire setup if he raises that body 2".

No, because the tire is stopped by the bump stop, which is attached to the frame, thus is not changed when body is lifted.

If the tires are hitting the wheel wells before the bumpstops what would you do to improve that situation?

Ahh...forget it...get the grinder out and bend that mutha.

I stand corrected, Tony.

While we are on the topic, I'm thinking of 33x9.50x15 BFG AT/KO on the stock rims. I have a 2" Body Lift. Would I be able to put that combination on the truck without any trimming or T-Bar cranking?

Steel or Alloy rims?
And do you have a winch bumper?

I have Steel rims (stock), no winch bumper, although I'm planing on getting the ARB winchmount bumper.

The truck is a '04 XE, bone stock except for the 2" body lift, if that makes any difference.

You'll need to trim the back of the front bumper, as the tires will rub there. That's why he was asking whether you had an after market bumper.

Other than that, yeah, you should be just fine. You might have to tweak your torsion bars a half inch or so up.

However, with a PML and a 2" BL you can run bigger than that. I think ChefTyler is running that size with that setup.

My 32x10.5 used to look skinny with a PML and a 2" BL. 33x9.5 will look like pizza cutters. That's narrower than stock. May I suggest considering a different size, maybe? Is there a reason why you would need a narrower tire?

AHTOXA already covered what I was going to say, but...
If you are get the ARB, you may need to trim about an inch off the wings with a sawzall to aviod having the steel bumper rub against the tiresunder full compression.

Thanks for all the input, and quick replies!

Here is a shot of the "Command Unit" with the new 3" lift rock crawler rims and BFG AT's...

http://static.flickr.com/97/247628648_57424882c6.jpg?v=0

and a shot of the rubbing issue (I don't have it turned all the way in this shot, but you can see the problem here)...

http://static.flickr.com/79/247628652_98e28bf89d.jpg?v=0

I'll check the torsion bars first, then if needed try the 4.75 vs. 3.75 and hope no rubbing occurs.

Thanks again!

(Command Unit) Dan

I thought the stock tires worked out to 7.5" when converted from metric. Maybe I'm wrong on that one. Most likely I am.

Well, if in fact they are thinner than stock, what would be a good size then? Originally I wanted the 33x9.50 AT for snow (thinner is better) also they fit on the stock rims. I think I can fit a 10.50 max on them.

I could go 31x10.5x15 or 33x10.50x15 If I go that route, what probs would I run into, being a slightly wider tire? (if the inch diff makes a difference)

I am running a 33x10.5x15 BFG AT on stock steel rims with a 3" Suspension lift.

with the 31x10.5 you won't have any issues.

With the 33x10.5 you'll need to trim a hair more than with the 33x9.5x15. And you'll probably pay less per tire too.

You may want to double check your steering stops...if they are worn out, you may start rubbing on the inside edge of the tire against the wall of the wheelwell or the shield over the brakelines.

Thanks guys.

Hey Rockaholic, are you running just a SL and no BL?

I think with the BL I'll have no issue with upy downy motion just the width clearance. Or I'm I wrong (again)?

I just don't want to buy the wrong tire size and have to cut the crap out of my truck. Oh yeah, someone mentioned that I might have to trim the ARB winchmount if I get it, does this hold true with the Shrockworks and Calmini ones?

I'm just running a Suspension lift.

You'll have less rubbing issues to deal with, so you'll be trimming plastic, not sheetmetal. A boxcutter or exacto knife will make easy work of that.

I was the one who mentioned trimming the ARB - I was getting contact the the lower part of the wing on the tire. If you have the winch bumper relocated for the BL, you might not have that issue. You will not need to trim for the Shrockworks. I don't know about the Calmini. The ARB wing doesn't follow the natural curve of the wheelwell and lines up failry tightly to the wheelwell. The Shrockworks wing lines up more with the wheelwell and is set slightly forward to help reduce rubbing issues.
a Pic of the Shrockworks bumper...

Since this one is small...my ARB


Pic of ,my ARB before being cut
In that last pic the area in red is what I cut off. I actually cut more off than I needed just to make the ARB wing follow the wheelwell departure line better.

I would trim the ARB wing even if you don't have any rubbing issues just for the look.

To clarify things. Those sizes are NOT wider than stock. Stock width IS 10.5.

Many people here have gone wider, such as 11.5 and 12.5. 12.5 is the widest that I know of that people have used here.

Myself, I'm currently running 32x11.5 and I have no issues what so ever. No rubbing. I have a PML and a 2" BL.