35's and fiberglass fenders

[beaston1]

hey...i think this hase been brought up before. but i need to find a straight answer. Would 35's on 15x8 rims fit on a 1st gen explorer with a 5.5 superlift and fiberglass fenders????.... and if need be i could put shackles and spacers in as well to make them fit.

 

[Alec]

Yup, you'll be able to make them fit.

Dead Link Removed

 

[beaston1]

ok...so theyll fit.. but what backspacing should be used in order for it to rub the least?

 

[Alec]

3.75

 

[Gopher]

depends on u're radius arms too. Alec is right with the 3.75. I think i have 3.5 which kicks them out alittle more. I rub on my radius arms. I also have to trim up the back of the fiberglass fenders a little too. I rub just a bit. Not alot. Only when turning and under hard compression.

 

[RangerX]

Also do a search on Fenderguy. He ran 35's with just a 4" superlift and fiberglass. No rub, and he wheeled it hard.

 

[NOTAJP]

I'm just about to run 35's with Fiberglass and 5.5" superlift. I might be about 6" now with springs and warrior shackles. All my parts will be in next week so I'll post pics then. I'll be running 17x10 wheels with 4.5" BS. I didn't want that much but I think it'll be OK.

 

[beaston1]

why you going with 17's???...tires are way more expensive for 17" rims... but thats just my 2 cents

ohh ya...it would only be glass up front ..not in the back..figure i could hack that out.. and if anybody has pics of the setup im talking about..feel free to post so everyone else can see

about the radius arms..i know they would rub probably under full lock and stuff, but thats something im not too worried about

 

[NOTAJP]

I already have the wheels and tires. Worked hard at getting deals. 17's on a 4x4 are very different and few have them. The road mannors are amazing when you go up a size in wheels. When I worked for a tire dealership a learned this trick long ago. I just applied this to my X last fall when I upgraded from 15" to 16" wheels. Great road manners but gave 1/2" to sidewall for off-road. No biggie. Gotta figure the 35x17's have the same sidewall hieght as a 33x15 so I'm still not loosing and 17's are getting more common by the day. Will be mounted this week!

 

[beaston1]

one more question for ya...who sells 35's for 17 inch rims...i dont think ive ever seen that..but it'll be something cool to see once you have it on.

only thing about 17"rim and tire combo....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...
thats why its not happening for me

 

[Alec]

Nitto and ProComp come to mind, but other manufacturers are really jumping on the 17"s.

 

[NOTAJP]

I have BFG AT/KOs. They also make the MT/KMs in 17". Goodyear makes the MT/Rs in 17" now. I'll try and post pics soon. I'm having a hard time getting pics to post here.

 

[Robb]

35s and road manners in the same statement? Going from a 35/15 to a 35/17 decreases the sidewall by 1". Effectively, from 10" to a 9". This 1" is supposed to make the road manners "amazing"? I have a hard time believing it would make any noticable difference at all in road comfort.

Just a couple of pennies...............

Robb

 

[NOTAJP]

Actually 35/17 would be an inch per side of the wheel (2" total). Only 1" total difference between 15" and 16" rims. I can say from experience it does. Think of the sidewall flex onroad with a 37" tire with the 15 vs 17" compairison......

 

[Robb]

Well, I was referring to sidewall, which the difference between a 15" and 17" rim would be one inch. Onroad, what is between the center of the axle and the ground is the only thing that counts, the other inch on the top of the tire means nothing. I have also made the switch from 15" to 16" wheels on overall stock sized tires and found the diffence to be zero in my experience, outside of looks. In the example of going from 35/15 to 35/17, the sidewall difference is from 10" to 9" (with wheel lip, maybe 9" to 8"). The sidewall difference is about 11.2%. I doubt that any "real" difference in sidewall flex can be noticable by decreasing sidewall height by 11%. Just my opinion.

Of course my opinion is prolly bias. I like the look of a meaty tire on a smaller rim. Offroad, I would also like the extra meat as opposed to more rim height. IMO, if going for 35s, onroad manners aren't a high priority. Then there is cost; advantage 15".

Robb

 

[NOTAJP]

OK Whatever.

I appreciate not haveing run of the mill. So many rigs with 35" tires and 15" eagle 589s or AR bajas or what ever you call them. They look nice and are cost effective. I've had a set previous to my 16" Welds. How boring.

 

[NOTAJP]

Just received my fenders today. Boy, much heavier than I expected. Here's a few pics. I'll make a nice write up soon. Might have them mounted tomorrow. I DID NOT order from Perry's, That's another story. I ordered from Hannenann's I'll dig out the paperwork later and give you Hal Hannenanns phone number as soon as I find it. Great guy, excellent customer service, great price, fast shipping, and excellent fenders!!! Same fenders as KarTek has listed on their website.

 

[NOTAJP]

Another to show just a little of the back trim to fit 35" full stuff without rub.

 

[beaston1]

ya...how much for those fenders and what was the site you saw them on??

and ...You got those tires on yet??.......going to look awesome with them finally on..!!!

 

[NOTAJP]

Hannemann Fiberglass is where I got my fenders. His website isn't good but you can see them better on Dead Link Removed . They are the some fenders but KarTek isn't shipping anymore. Hal Hannemann is a great guy. I think he only charged me $270 for the fenders, $35 for bubblewrap, plus his actual shipping cost. Very nice guy. These fenders are awesome! Very strong and aligned with the body very easy.

here's some pics. Sorry it took me so long....