BFG 245/65 r17 - The Good, the Bad, the Ugly?

Discussion in 'Renegade Modified Tech' started by Joel777, Mar 15, 2018.

  1. Joel777

    Joel777 New Member

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    Disappointed by limited info, incomplete threads and other, I thought I would get off my lazy butt and document this issue. This is for those that are wanting larger tires on their Renegade AFTER it has at least a 1.5" lift. Unless you cut the spring perch (which most suggest against) you WILL NEED 1" spacers (I used Hubcentric brand) - You can also perhaps use offset rims (see below). So the following is for a Jeep Renegade Trailhawk/Deserthawk with STOCK 17" rims/Daystar (or other) 1.5" lift. Pics below!

    BFG 245/65 r17...
    1. It can be done.
    2. Yes the pinch seam needs cut (takes about 1 min with most any grinder after you remove tire and plastic wheel well liner)
    3. You will need to add a few screws to hold the plastic wheel well liner in more than it is so the wider tires don't rub.
    4. If you have a Deserthawk or factory rock rails, THEY WILL NEED shortened. Easy to do, but you will need welding gear or have someone that can weld.

    Things to possible improve:
    Get different rims (like the Hostage line by Fuel) that are offset so you don't need wheel spacers. If anyone has done this PLEASE tell us more.

    Wayalife: Would 1/2" or 3/4" spacers also work with stock rims? I noticed at least 1/4" or more space between the wheel and spring perch after I put on the 1" spacer.

    Other things to consider:
    MPG: Just did this mod, but so far, looking at about 1 to maybe 2 mpg with the larger, HEAVIER tires. Not a big deal but I usually get 22 mpg (live in the mountains), so we are talking about a 5-10% decrease, or another way to look at it is; a 5-10% increase in how hard the engine needs to work. Something to consider.

    Noise: If you have a roof rack, the tires don't make much more noise, so not really an issue.

    Comfort: A little rougher but not much. A little surprised with how quiet and comfortable these much more heavy and 'knobbier' tires are.

    Final thoughts: The biggest concern I have is wear and tear on the brakes and other components due to the wheel spacers and especially the heavier tires. Remember, stock tires are 28 lbs, these are 44 lbs (d rated). Anyone that has dealt with wheel spacers over the long run, please tell us your experience.

    Hopefully you all have some thoughts on all this, so please chime in.

    Also, big thanks to Wayalife for this forum and keeping it all going with the wonderful mods he has done. It takes a lot of time to keep these going, so much appreciated!

    Best,
    Joel

    New Mods coming! I do documentaries and we are turning the jeep ('Lil Pepe) into an overland vehicle for our next film which will include an adventure across the U.S.
    Mods will include:
    Tepui Rooftop Tent
    Powerfilm solar awning/tarps (2 x 120 watts)
    Inergy Kodiak power bank
    New Bumpers!! Front will have Warn 8000 winch and winch DOES NOT stick out in front of bumper, but is hidden within bumper. Back bumper has inclusive swing out that supports full size tire so you can free up tire compartment inside the jeep. Will update as soon as I have setup.



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  2. antemax

    antemax Member

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    thanks man
     
  3. red/green hawk

    red/green hawk Active Member

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    I thought about going with these but got the 225s because I thought you needed at least 7" rim. Stock wheels are only 6.5". Which by the way I still had to do the pinch seam mod. I'm running 1.25" spacers. From what I've read and asked about it's what camp you fall in depends on your view of spacers. Every 4 wheel enthusiast I've talked to (fair number of people) use spacers and have been using them for as long as they know and don't say anything detrimental about them. Of course the dealership and all the tire and wheel shops say differently. Personally I'll side with experience over the "experts."
    I really like the 245s. If I don't change my wheels to 16s I'm going to get those the next time I need tires.
    Thanks for sitting down and sharing!
     
  4. Joel777

    Joel777 New Member

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    Sure and thanks for the feedback on the wheel spacers!
     
  5. Joel777

    Joel777 New Member

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    Update:
    I have lost about 1 mpg with the wheels, maybe less. If you use the wheels' weight to your advantage, (don't punch the gas up a hill) and add more throttle on downhills, there doesn't seem to be big difference. Also, either the tranny or the computer or both seem to respond better to the larger tires as in there is less lag switching between gears. Nice benefit!
     
    Dgr401 likes this.
  6. Ssj20

    Ssj20 New Member

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    Question, this weekend I'm having the AVID 2" Lift Kit installed, with 225/65/17 KO2's, along with 1.25" spacers. Latitude 4WD. I'm curious if the front tires will rub at full lock...should I return the spacers now and get the 1"? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!!
     
  7. Mattbones311

    Mattbones311 New Member

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    Mannn, I am pretty much gonna do the exact same thing. I will probably go with some dynapros at first to save a little money. I think this is one of the better looking setups I have seen! Thanks for the inspiration.


    Ps- did you plastidip your wheels to get them all black?
     
  8. Joel777

    Joel777 New Member

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    Great, yes I am very happy with the setup and really only noticed about 1 mpg difference. The rims that come with the Deserthawk model are already solid black so didn't have to dip them. There are some threads out there I think on painting/dipping rims though. Good luck!
     
  9. mikeywill

    mikeywill New Member

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    nice ride, joel. dig the stance. what rack system are you running?
     
  10. Joel777

    Joel777 New Member

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    Thanks. Whispbar (s46 I think?) with large rhino rack basket. This is the only setup I thought looked good and is low profile THOUGH you cannot open the sunroof (if you have one) with lower profile bars. The real nice setup is a large solid rack rooftop system (rhino or frontrunner) that attach directly to the roof and you can remove the curved factory side rails. You need some modification as the rooftop rack systems are not curved but someone on here or another forum did it with spacers. Again, any of these, no sun roof option.
     
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  11. robinsonmac

    robinsonmac Member

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    The weight is why I went with LRC 235-70-16 on my TH. They only weigh 8 more lbs than the stock tires @ 35lbs.
     
  12. Joel777

    Joel777 New Member

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    Yes if you are not doing a lot of rough 4x4 I think those tires are great. I live by Yosemite and go on a lot of trails that have fallen trees/debris and also narrow trails where sidewalls rub on rocks. If you are doing this type, I would suggest going with the thicker sidewall of the bfg's.
     
  13. robinsonmac

    robinsonmac Member

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    I spoke with BFG and they stated that the LRC & D still have the same sidewall tech as the LRE and although not as thick as the LRE they are still better than most standard LRCD & E A/T tires. All KO2's still have their patented "Coregard" sidewalls which have improved sidewall rubber, thicker-extended shoulder that extend down the sidewall & advanced deflection. See info here. Click on overview. https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire/bf-goodrich/all-terrain-t-a-ko2. LRC have same interior structure & tech except they are 2-ply while D & E are 3-ply. This is what they told me. "The tire's internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced with spirally wrapped nylon on top of BFGoodrich's TriGard, 3-ply polyester cord sidewall ply construction (2 plies for Load Range C tires) for strength and durability.
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2018
  14. RLNJEEP

    RLNJEEP New Member

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    I have 1.25" spacers and no lift on my desert hawk. I'm getting BF Goodrich 225/65/17. Will they still rub if I don't do the pinch seam mod?
     
  15. Stroup

    Stroup New Member

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    HOT DAMM! This is what I've been wanting to find after reading through the "net" for over an hour. THANKS.
     
  16. robinsonmac

    robinsonmac Member

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    I had 225-70-16 with 1" spacers and no rub prior to getting the 235-70-16's It's hard to say I had about a 1/4" at full lock. The extra 1/4" of spacer may make it barely rub at full lock.
     
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  17. red/green hawk

    red/green hawk Active Member

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    Yes I did the pinch seam mod. And you need to with the 225s. I wish I would've gone with the 245s.
     
  18. willydigger

    willydigger New Member

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    Can you elaborate on what you did with the rock rails? I plan to leave the length and trim the meat of the rail that folds under the jeep. Looks great BTW. Love the Anvil color.
     
  19. red/green hawk

    red/green hawk Active Member

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    They still barely run after doing pinch seam mod. I tried molding fender away with a heat gun and they still rub. I ended up getting 1" spacers and now have no rub. I think 225/65/17 (28.5") are just the perfect height that will always rub with 1.25" spacers. I've noticed that where it rubs is not at the largest diameter part of the tire. I think if you had a tire that was an inch taller or even 1/2" taller you wouldn't have this issue. Others who use 1.25" spacers so they can fit 16s and 29.5" diameter tires dont have this problem.
     
  20. Wookie Renegade

    Wookie Renegade New Member

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    I have the stock height Trailhawk with 225/65/17. No rubbing even at stock height. I purchased the Avid 2.5 lift and will be installing it as soon as it arrives. I am thinking about 245/65/17 or even 245/70/17 with a wheel that's 5x110 17" 35 offset. The offset will allow (in theory) the wheel to sit farther out. Therefore, no need for spacers. I've done a lot of research on this. I will see soon how it goes. I'd rather not use spacers. from what I've learned that can really effect the ride and wheel bearings.
    If anyone has any input on the tire size share with us all.

    Greetings
     

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