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

Dgr401 · Feb 18, 2019

Wookie Renegade said: ↑

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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I am not sure the 245 will fit, but if they do you will probably have to do the pinch seam mod. The largest I have heard anyone running is a 235 but there could be some 245's out there. Did Avid give you any info about tire size with their 2.5 lift? Good luck and keep us posted.

Wookie Renegade · Feb 18, 2019

Dgr401 said: ↑

I am not sure the 245 will fit, but if they do you will probably have to do the pinch seam mod. The largest I have heard anyone running is a 235 but there could be some 245's out there. Did Avid give you any info about tire size with their 2.5 lift? Good luck and keep us posted.
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There is a person on Instagram with the name twistedaxel. He has put the 2.5” lift and has added 245/75 r17 75 anniversary Wrangler wheels and tires.
I don't think I’ll push it with 245/75, but I’ll be able to see more once the lift is on.
I won’t be cutting the pinch seam for now.

Mattbones311 · Oct 31, 2019

So i have to ask, i just ordered a set of these 254/65/17 and i'm just wondering what i'm gonna do about my spare now... Anyone with tires this size have a good solution? besides putting in on the roof

IDoMy0wnRacing · Nov 1, 2019

Dgr401 said: ↑

I am not sure the 245 will fit, but if they do you will probably have to do the pinch seam mod. The largest I have heard anyone running is a 235 but there could be some 245's out there. Did Avid give you any info about tire size with their 2.5 lift? Good luck and keep us posted.
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I went with the 245/65R17. BDG KO2, and Method Race MR701 with 30mm offset and a 1-inch spacers up front.
2.5-inch lift will work, and the Pinch Weld modification is a must.

https://toasterjeep.com/index.php?threads/mr701-bfg-t-a-ko2s.3062/#post-24043

IDoMy0wnRacing · Nov 1, 2019

Mattbones311 said: ↑

So i have to ask, i just ordered a set of these 254/65/17 and i'm just wondering what i'm gonna do about my spare now... Anyone with tires this size have a good solution? besides putting in on the roof
Click to expand...

AVID RADIUS Expedition with spare tire carrier is one option.
… see link in reply above.

thebigteacher · Nov 2, 2019

RLNJEEP said: ↑

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?
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I'm running 225/65/17 MTs with one inch Ebachs and 1.25 spacers with stock Trailhawk rims and mine rub a little on full turn.

DH17TIM · May 4, 2020

I just want to make sure everyone knows that you can run 235/65/17 tires on a Deserthawk with 1" (25mm) spacers without needing to modify anything. 245/65/17 with 1" spacers would likely still rub, but not as much as 1.5" spacers. Here is a few pics with the 1" wheel spacer and 235/65/17 TrailBlade XT tires:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10158656144462625

Joel777 said: ↑

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

Dgr401 Well-Known Member

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

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