Putting on Soft 8

[brianmc]

I've searched and I couldn't find what I was looking for, maybe because of my inability to run a proper search, but I was hoping maybe someone could tell me:

If I get the crager soft 8s in the 15x8, will my auto hub still work or will I have to convert to manual hubs?

 

[jakebrake]

Auto or Manual will run the same bore diameter so that wont make a difference at all, its up to the specific wheel you are putting on.

 

[yostyexplorer94]

If you go off road at all, I would convert them to manuals anyways.... stronger and reliable. Just a suggestion. Are you lifting it and getting bigger tires too or just getting different rims? Post up some pictures of your progress on it.

 

[brianmc]

I havn't fully decided with how much lift I'm going to put on it, but I'm leaning toward the Tuff Country 4" suspension lift and putting 33" Mudders on on it. This will be my summer project, and right now i'm just trying to price everything out and figure out all of what I need. thanks for the suggestion though

 

[TREID13]

15x8 5-4.5 Unique 297 on Tires.com... go with the -12 offset for a lifted application or a +6 for a stock application. I have a 15x7 0 offset on my '92 at stock height. Any wheel/tire questions... feel free to ask... its what I do for a living.

 

[brianmc]

i dont really understand the -12 offset or +6 for stock. what does all that mean?

 

[red.EDDIE.4x4]

i have a first gen, soft 8s and i didnt even worry about back spacing...
i just went to jegs, selected 5x4 1/2 lug pattern, then 15x8 wheel size, then typed in the qty: 5, and clicked check out. ive had them for 6 months and they have been fine. auto (now manual) hubs fit fine. but if i were you i would order 2 chrome center caps for the rear.

 

[00explorer8]

15x8 5-4.5 Unique 297 on Tires.com... go with the -12 offset for a lifted application or a +6 for a stock application. I have a 15x7 0 offset on my '92 at stock height. Any wheel/tire questions... feel free to ask... its what I do for a living.

well since you offered lol......

Im planning to get 9ish" of lift soon, and want to put some 35's on. i might actually be getting them tonight, 35x12.5R15 BFG AT's. what width rim would you suggest? idk if theyd work on a 15x8, but those are the cheapest. the guy at costco said theyd need an 11 inch rim and that didnt sound right. I'm probably getting the cragar soft 8's as well, just down to what size...any help would be greatly (emphasis) appreciated!

 

[red.EDDIE.4x4]

a 12.5 wide tire can go on a 8 inch wide rim.
i sit here saying this with the fact that i currently have 33x12.5x15s and 15x8 rims. and i am assuming that since its fine with a 33x12.5, itll be fine with a 35x12.5 rim

ill be going to 35x12.5x15s on the same rims. the soft 8 15x8 rim is about 50 bucks at jegs, the 15x10 rim is about 60, its really not a huge jump. either are fine, but the wider rim will make your tires balloon out more.

oh and is that "9ish" inch lift 9 inches of suspension lift? or total lift from suspension, tires...so on...

 

[LBarr2002]

the guy at costco said

There's your problem! Unless you just want the tires to sit out flatter and wider, go with 8" rims. It lets you air down a lot more without worrying about popping a bead.

For backspace, your stock wheels are 4.5" backspace. You'll want a little less backspace to keep the inside of tires from rubbing your suspension, probably 3.5 - 4" backspace.

 

[TREID13]

well since you offered lol......

Im planning to get 9ish" of lift soon, and want to put some 35's on. i might actually be getting them tonight, 35x12.5R15 BFG AT's. what width rim would you suggest? idk if theyd work on a 15x8, but those are the cheapest. the guy at costco said theyd need an 11 inch rim and that didnt sound right. I'm probably getting the cragar soft 8's as well, just down to what size...any help would be greatly (emphasis) appreciated!

BFG recommends a 8.5-11.5 inch for a 35x1250. I would probably recommend a 10" wide wheel with a negative offset for this application. If you go narrower than 8.5 on this tire you will put too much stress on the belt package and cause uneven tire wear and possible separation. If you go to Uniquewheel.com the wheel I recommend is part number 297-5112. This is built by Carlisle wheel who also builds the Cragar product. Again... your local Discount tire can help. However... many tire companies will not install anything different from OE on your explorer for liability reasons (See Firestone tire recall.), so if you want something different from stock it is best to figure it out... get it mounted and balanced... then bolt it on yourself.

 

[TREID13]

i dont really understand the -12 offset or +6 for stock. what does all that mean?

An easy way to explain this is that higher offsets will tuck the wheel up underneath the fender as a lower offset pushes the wheel outside of the fender. On a stock vehicle a wide stance (lower offset) will cause the tire to rub the fender as well as look a little funny. On a lifted vehicle... lower offsets will allow more clearance for larger tire sizes as well as widen your stance appropriately.

 

[Maniak]

For a mostly street rig the 10" wheel will make it easier to get the right tire pressure and contact patch. If you go wheeling, the 8" rim is a better fit IMHO. It allows you to air down more without popping the bead.

I run 13-15 psi on a set of truxes MT 33x12.50's on 15x8" rims. I have yet to pop a bead (I know, I just jinxed myself). Running the 8" rim means it is harder to get the right contact patch. They tend to wear funny if you can't get the tire pressure right for your rig, but they already do that since we have a full locker in the rear

~Mark

 

[00explorer8]

a 12.5 wide tire can go on a 8 inch wide rim.
i sit here saying this with the fact that i currently have 33x12.5x15s and 15x8 rims. and i am assuming that since its fine with a 33x12.5, itll be fine with a 35x12.5 rim

ill be going to 35x12.5x15s on the same rims. the soft 8 15x8 rim is about 50 bucks at jegs, the 15x10 rim is about 60, its really not a huge jump. either are fine, but the wider rim will make your tires balloon out more.

oh and is that "9ish" inch lift 9 inches of suspension lift? or total lift from suspension, tires...so on...

SOA spindle and TT for 6, 3 body, then the tires. yes its a 2wd *sigh* thanks for the input

There's your problem! Unless you just want the tires to sit out flatter and wider, go with 8" rims. It lets you air down a lot more without worrying about popping a bead.

For backspace, your stock wheels are 4.5" backspace. You'll want a little less backspace to keep the inside of tires from rubbing your suspension, probably 3.5 - 4" backspace.

ok thanks, dont plan on doing a ton of offroading unfortunantely....

BFG recommends a 8.5-11.5 inch for a 35x1250. I would probably recommend a 10" wide wheel with a negative offset for this application. If you go narrower than 8.5 on this tire you will put too much stress on the belt package and cause uneven tire wear and possible separation. If you go to Uniquewheel.com the wheel I recommend is part number 297-5112. This is built by Carlisle wheel who also builds the Cragar product. Again... your local Discount tire can help. However... many tire companies will not install anything different from OE on your explorer for liability reasons (See Firestone tire recall.), so if you want something different from stock it is best to figure it out... get it mounted and balanced... then bolt it on yourself.

Thanks for the info! the main reason i was asking is the 20$ difference between 8 and 10, but i guess I'll just have to live with it. And as far as mounting/bolting is concerned, the place im having the lift done at didnt seem to mind at all...but I know that rule (unfortunantely, got turned down by costco, thats embarassing)

 

[TREID13]

For a mostly street rig the 10" wheel will make it easier to get the right tire pressure and contact patch. If you go wheeling, the 8" rim is a better fit IMHO. It allows you to air down more without popping the bead.

I run 13-15 psi on a set of truxes MT 33x12.50's on 15x8" rims. I have yet to pop a bead (I know, I just jinxed myself). Running the 8" rim means it is harder to get the right contact patch. They tend to wear funny if you can't get the tire pressure right for your rig, but they already do that since we have a full locker in the rear

~Mark

Good point... 8" is a good fit for a 12.5 inch wide tire... make sure you do run a lower tire pressure on the street though in order to make your tires wear nicely. We have seen a few problems with separations on improper tire-wheel applications, and this is why matching up the proper width is recommended. We mount 12.5s on 8" wide wheels quite often, and it does work just fine.

 

[brianmc]

An easy way to explain this is that higher offsets will tuck the wheel up underneath the fender as a lower offset pushes the wheel outside of the fender. On a stock vehicle a wide stance (lower offset) will cause the tire to rub the fender as well as look a little funny. On a lifted vehicle... lower offsets will allow more clearance for larger tire sizes as well as widen your stance appropriately.

Cool, thanks!

 

[cmhaah06]

i found crager soft 8's on summit for 42 dollars. 15x8 5x4.5 with 4 inch backspacing.

 

[96_Exploder]

Hate to bring this post back but what will happen if you are runing highway speed.(70MPH) with 33/12.50/15s on 15/8s runing low pressure

 

[Tbars4]

Hate to bring this post back but what will happen if you are runing highway speed.(70MPH) with 33/12.50/15s on 15/8s runing low pressure

The tire and wheel size is not the problem but the low pressure is the problem.

..What kind of low pressure? 1/2 or below 1/2 of manuf. max. inflation recommended pressure?

..You will/could get tire bulges and separation of the sidewall which quickly leads to blowouts and sure tire death..

..Rule of thumb is 35-40 mph MAX for short distances on low pressure tires on asphalt..There are other variables as in tire pressure, how new the tires are, ambient temp, etc..

..So...What did you do?..

 

[tweakedlogic]

I run about 40 PSI on the streets all the time. Then air down to about 15 on the dirt. IIRC my rims are 8", maybe 9", with 32 x 11.5" tires. Only a few thousand miles on the tires, but i haven't noticed any funny wear.