Hey ya'll. I just bought a 98 TJ SE and put some 30x9.5s on the stock crappy rims. This is my 2nd jeep (1st was a 90 YJ, so I am new to the TJ set up). Why is it that when I turn the wheel to the right or left it rubs on my suspension? I have read up on tire backspacing and all that. I just don't believe that the backspacing on the  stock rims is that bad. Am I wrong in thinking this? I just wanted to get some advice before taking off the rim and measuring it out or buying new rims. I took a quick picture(had one more of the suspension but couldn't get it to load). Hope it helps...
 

Its the backspacing. The stock wheels are prolly 5inch backspaceing.  

they are 5.5" backspaced... the rubicon moab wheels are 5" backspacing. the 5 inch works for up to 12.5 rubber and is very close to the rear spring pockets.

the 9.5-10.5 M/T's will rub slightly on stock steel wheels while a set of a/t's usually won't. the rubbing won't hurt anything.

if your gonna go larger and intend to get wheels, go with 4.5" backspacing, for extreme articulation with 12.5 and wider rubber you'll need 3.5" backspacing.  

i am looking to get into some 33x10.5 34x9.5(will i need a body spacer?) Interco TSLs with a 3.5" rubi express super flex. I've only got a 4 cylinder. Any reccommendation on type of wheel/size?  

sorry i meant 33x10.5 OR 34x9.5 TSLs  

I would re gear it to 4.88's with the 34x9.5  

yep, 4.88's and 4.5" backspacing  

would the 3.5" be enough to fit the 34s with no rubbing? What other parts would i need to to run with the 3.5" rubi express efficiently (other than wheels and gears)?  

yep, the 3.5 is enough, you'll need longer front bumpstops and you'll be set,

I run a 2.5 and 34x12.5-16 trXus M/T's....


 

Great! Thanks for the advice! One last question, I don't know the width of my rim now and I'm looking to buy new rims and keep the same tire width. What would a good rim width be for a tire width of 9.5"

btw nice rig  

7" width would work fine  

yep, 7-8"  

Just an update...After about a little over 2 months of waiting for my wheels to arrive, I finally got them and put them on almost immediately. I ended up getting the cragar series 342, d-windows in a 15x8 w/ 4.5" of B.S. I'll be sure to put up some pictures as soon as I can. It is soooooo nice to be able to finally turn the wheel full tilt and not hear or worry about that nasty sound of mud terrain tires rubbing on the control arms. fantastic! It's taking me a while but this jeep is starting to finally come around to what I want it to look like.  

sweet!