Freya: Aimee's 2021 WK2 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk V8

[ob1jeeper 447]

Very nice vehicle Kris & Amiee...   I hope it will meet your expectations and needs...  ;)

 

[theksmith 3,589]

 

[theksmith 3,589]

wheels: 18x8.5 Black Rhino Mozambique with a +30 offset in Matte Black

 

tires: Falken Wildpeak A/T3W in 265/65R18 (approximately 31.5")

 

there doesn't seem to be any rubbing with this tire size and wheel width/offset (and having leveled-up the front end already). 

 

i've never had Falken brand tires before but Nena at Barlow Jeep Rentals uses them on all her rigs. the A/T3W appear to be "real" all-terrains yet are supposedly very highway friendly and rate well for rain and snow.

 

 

 

here's a couple photos showing how much reveal this particular width/offset gives:

 

 

 

 

we had Discount Tire install the same tire on the factory 18" spare steel rim.

 

after airing it down to 20PSI, i was able to still latch the cover on the spare compartment. a small air compressor and hose also fit in with the factory tools and jack, but the plastic storage bins didn't. i think i can get the bins to fit with a little trimming though.

 

 

Edited December 1, 2020 by theksmith

[theksmith 3,589]

i double checked that there wasn't any rubbing even with the wheels turned and the suspension in the lowest setting (Park/Exit)...

 

just barely clears the bulge for the pinch seam:

 

 

front edge clears the plastic fender piece easily:

 

 

these 265/65R18 tires work out to about 31.5" overall, i think you could clear up to a 32" if you avoided Park/Exit mode (on 8.5" wide +30 offset wheels).

 

here she is at the tallest suspension setting (Offroad 2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 1, 2020 by theksmith

[4x4tographer 2,450]

1 hour ago, theksmith said:

i double checked that there wasn't any rubbing even with the wheels turned and the suspension in the lowest setting (Park/Exit)...

 

just barely clears the bulge for the pinch seam:

 

 

front edge clears the plastic fender piece easily:

 

 

these 265/65R18 tires work out to about 31.5" overall, i think you could clear up to a 32" if you avoided Park/Exit mode (on 8.5" wide +30 offset wheels).

 

here she is at the tallest suspension setting (Offroad 2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out of curiosity, are you able to recalibrate to the new tire size? That was always a pain point for me with my KL Trailhawk when I went to 30.5" tires.

[theksmith 3,589]

On 12/1/2020 at 12:48 PM, 4x4tographer said:

 

 

Out of curiosity, are you able to recalibrate to the new tire size? That was always a pain point for me with my KL Trailhawk when I went to 30.5" tires.

 

yes, using AlfaOBD - though it took a little trial and error to figure out the exact process... the steps were a little different than what i found on the Ram forums. i'll have to double-check my process and do a little write-up later.

Edited December 3, 2020 by theksmith

[theksmith 3,589]

got the front windows and sunroofs tinted today:

 

 

 

 

 

sittin' pretty with Gadget:

 

 

[theksmith 3,589]

i was able to get the plastic storage bins back in the spare tire area with just a little trimming. not a huge deal, but nice to have them so things don't get lost under the tire.

 

 

the inner edge of the plastic was turned down and adding just a little too much thickness as well as making them too stiff to allow the middle to squeeze into place with the bigger tire.

 

here's all i needed to cut off with the jigsaw (still a really tight fit, but they can be shoved down in there now)!

 

 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2020 by theksmith

[jgaz 513]

Looks good.

Today we trim storage bins, next month we trim fenders!

 

BTW. Nice idea of airing down the spare to make it fit the space.

Edited December 3, 2020 by jgaz

[theksmith 3,589]

just putting this bit of knowledge here for one day when we need a new battery...

 

the diesel WK2 has an L5/H8/Group 49 battery instead of the L4/H7/Group 94R. to upsize to the slightly longer L5, you just need a different hold-down bracket - part number #68039242AA (about $5).

 

why? because the L4 typically has 800CCA/140RC where as most L5 have 850CCA/160RC, and the L5 is only about $10 more. that extra reserve capacity could come in handy if running a fridge, lunchbox, etc.