31x10.50R15 tires would handle fine on your stock 15x7 aluminum rims.
You will, however, be left with a slightly larger turning radius because
the wider tires will contact the front leaf springs when the steering is
hard over:

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techrepor...ko/Tirerub.jpg

Adjusting your steering stops to prevent contact is easy:

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/steer/steerstop/

A 15x8 rim would give marginally better handling by decreasing
side-roll. New rims would give you the option of less back spacing to
maintain your turning radius. Opting for steel rims would increase
unsprung weight and tax your 2.5L a bit more.

Of course, taller tires mean lower RPMs, so, unless you regear your
differentials ($$$), you'll have more sluggish starts and you may loose
power and/or fuel efficiency in overdrive, but it probably won't be
intolerable. Additional weight and rolling resistance of larger tires
adds to the effect.

You may also want to recalibrate your speedometer:

http://jeepin.com/features/speedogear/index.asp

Maybe a 30x9.50 would better suit your needs and possibly let you avoid
the shackle lift.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org


GSO Medic wrote:
> Hello Everyone!
>
> Black 95 YJ 2.5l, primary form of transportation, stock aluminum
> wheels, weak street tires. It spends alot of time on the highway, but
> I live in the boonies so I'd like to have something to improve it's
> capability during inclimate weather in addition to making it look a
> little better.
>
> Here's what I'm planning: 1.5" lift via new shackles, black American
> Racing wheels, 31" BFG AT/KO's. What I'm unclear on is the best wheel
> and tire widths to get. I don't want to sacrifice too much handling
> because unfortunately it has to spend alot of time on the pavement.
> I'd appreciate any advice.
>
> Thanks!
>

 

31x10.50R15 tires would handle fine on your stock 15x7 aluminum rims.
You will, however, be left with a slightly larger turning radius because
the wider tires will contact the front leaf springs when the steering is
hard over:

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techrepor...ko/Tirerub.jpg

Adjusting your steering stops to prevent contact is easy:

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/steer/steerstop/

A 15x8 rim would give marginally better handling by decreasing
side-roll. New rims would give you the option of less back spacing to
maintain your turning radius. Opting for steel rims would increase
unsprung weight and tax your 2.5L a bit more.

Of course, taller tires mean lower RPMs, so, unless you regear your
differentials ($$$), you'll have more sluggish starts and you may loose
power and/or fuel efficiency in overdrive, but it probably won't be
intolerable. Additional weight and rolling resistance of larger tires
adds to the effect.

You may also want to recalibrate your speedometer:

http://jeepin.com/features/speedogear/index.asp

Maybe a 30x9.50 would better suit your needs and possibly let you avoid
the shackle lift.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org


GSO Medic wrote:
> Hello Everyone!
>
> Black 95 YJ 2.5l, primary form of transportation, stock aluminum
> wheels, weak street tires. It spends alot of time on the highway, but
> I live in the boonies so I'd like to have something to improve it's
> capability during inclimate weather in addition to making it look a
> little better.
>
> Here's what I'm planning: 1.5" lift via new shackles, black American
> Racing wheels, 31" BFG AT/KO's. What I'm unclear on is the best wheel
> and tire widths to get. I don't want to sacrifice too much handling
> because unfortunately it has to spend alot of time on the pavement.
> I'd appreciate any advice.
>
> Thanks!
>

 

31x10.50R15 tires would handle fine on your stock 15x7 aluminum rims.
You will, however, be left with a slightly larger turning radius because
the wider tires will contact the front leaf springs when the steering is
hard over:

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techrepor...ko/Tirerub.jpg

Adjusting your steering stops to prevent contact is easy:

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/steer/steerstop/

A 15x8 rim would give marginally better handling by decreasing
side-roll. New rims would give you the option of less back spacing to
maintain your turning radius. Opting for steel rims would increase
unsprung weight and tax your 2.5L a bit more.

Of course, taller tires mean lower RPMs, so, unless you regear your
differentials ($$$), you'll have more sluggish starts and you may loose
power and/or fuel efficiency in overdrive, but it probably won't be
intolerable. Additional weight and rolling resistance of larger tires
adds to the effect.

You may also want to recalibrate your speedometer:

http://jeepin.com/features/speedogear/index.asp

Maybe a 30x9.50 would better suit your needs and possibly let you avoid
the shackle lift.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org


GSO Medic wrote:
> Hello Everyone!
>
> Black 95 YJ 2.5l, primary form of transportation, stock aluminum
> wheels, weak street tires. It spends alot of time on the highway, but
> I live in the boonies so I'd like to have something to improve it's
> capability during inclimate weather in addition to making it look a
> little better.
>
> Here's what I'm planning: 1.5" lift via new shackles, black American
> Racing wheels, 31" BFG AT/KO's. What I'm unclear on is the best wheel
> and tire widths to get. I don't want to sacrifice too much handling
> because unfortunately it has to spend alot of time on the pavement.
> I'd appreciate any advice.
>
> Thanks!
>

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I do have stock springs. My jeep
appears to have spent most of it's life on the pavement and therefore
has a completely vanilla suspension. Is replacing the shackles only
going to decrease the reliability of the jeep? I don't want to drop
alot of $$$, but I want to screw up my YJ even less.

Thanks!

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I do have stock springs. My jeep
appears to have spent most of it's life on the pavement and therefore
has a completely vanilla suspension. Is replacing the shackles only
going to decrease the reliability of the jeep? I don't want to drop
alot of $$$, but I want to screw up my YJ even less.

Thanks!

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I do have stock springs. My jeep
appears to have spent most of it's life on the pavement and therefore
has a completely vanilla suspension. Is replacing the shackles only
going to decrease the reliability of the jeep? I don't want to drop
alot of $$$, but I want to screw up my YJ even less.

Thanks!