New Tires old RIMS

[Country2003KJ]

My 03 came with 235/65R17 Wrangler Tires. I have the original spare that was never used and is as good as brand new. It is a 235/65R17. But the doorjam has listed 23570R16 as the tire size. The second set of tires that came with the jeep is Cooper tires which are on it right now. They need replacing soon and I want to use the same RIMS (just to keep the cost down) so I want to know what is a good size tire as a replacement?

I was planning on just going with 235/65R17 but can someone give me some other options based upon their experiences? Should the new tires be 235/70R17 or 245/65R17 or other? I am open to any ideas right now and pricing them. These Cooper tires are almost 10 years old and are M&S and are extremely hard and I feel every bump. My eyes/ears are open.........

 

[u2slow]

Seems like 225-235 is all that clears without rubbing. Running 245/75R16E now - they rub.

Whatever profile you choose (60, 65, 70) watch the overall diameter. When the rim goes up 1", so does the OD, unless the profile is reduced.

 

[Country2003KJ]

Seems like 225-235 is all that clears without rubbing. Running 245/75R16E now - they rub.

Whatever profile you choose (60, 65, 70) watch the overall diameter. When the rim goes up 1", so does the OD, unless the profile is reduced.

Thank you. I will stay with the size I have now that fit correctly without rubbing. I know I can lift and go big, but the current size works fine for me. Appreciate your help!

 

[Celticlady]

I am very happy with my oem rims and these tires.

Evoluxx Rotator M/T Mud Terrain LT225/75R16 110/107Q D Light Truck Tire (Walmart)

I have had the same issue with cooper tires.

However most of the problem is the factory suspension. Thats the way it works. It transfers every road bump to your seat. And by now your drivers seat is falling apart. And there are no new parts or decent use drivers seat parts available. (See my post on a Corduea seat replacement)

First realize the Liberty is NOT a rock crawler. It never will be. You don't mow a field with push mower. You use the right tool. The liberty with 3" lift, is an intermediate off road platform. Even with a straight front axle and you rip off the fender flares it still is only a mediocre rock crawler.

I did not fully realize how lacking the OEM suspension was until I started my lift journey. The very long story short.
I now have a suspension that does its job.

You can search for my post here to get all the details. I recently had this same conversation with another liberty owner.
There is a right and a wrong way. It's not so much the brand name as its the design. Some products are a bandaid that actually make the awful ride much worse. And cause component interference as there is not a lot of clearance in the liberty front end.

My liberty is my ranch truck. A lot of logging roads and creek crossings. And if I want, a trip to town. It's just a bit larger than a 4 place side x side. It's all weather and street legal. Even those tires are mud tires they are not irritatingly noisy going down the pavement. If I need real off road capabilities I fire up the LMTV