Hello all, my first post here.  Awesome forum.  Luckily I was referred here by some nice people on the offroad.com zuke board.  I'm buying a 97 5 speed 2dr Tracker 4x4 with convertible hardtop.  Its going to be a daily driver but I also would like to do some light to moderate wheeling with it.  For now I don't want any lift other than what tires will provide.  I'm thinking hard about 235/75/15 BFG TAs.  I hear they are the biggest that will fit a stock truck.  I'm also considering 30.9s as I hear only mild hammering is needed.  Is this good information or am I off base?  Also, if I go with the 30.9s will the 16v engine be enough to pull hills on the highway in 5th?  If not will an intake/exhaust add enough power?  Any advice is appreciated. 

Thanks!

In my experience, 215-75-15's on the stock silver steel wheels rubbed the frame when turning. I could have adjusted my steering stops to fix this, but I need all the turning radius I can get. That said, you might want to invest in a set of rims that sit out a little further from the frame with bigger tires. I would suggest 15x7" rims with around 3.75" of backspacing for either 235's or 30's. They'll clear better...

The 16 valve should have plenty of power to turn the bigger tires. I don't know for sure if you could pull hills in 5th still, though. Depends on the hill. LOL! And intake/exhaust upgrades certainly wont hurt at all.

I've been running 235/75s with 15x8 rims and 3 3/4 off-set
on my 97 Kick with no lift.
It rubs a little bit on the front bottom bumper at full turn but it trims up easily.
and a little in the rear when loaded down.


Heres my 95 2dr (way back when) with 225/75s on 15x7s (whatever stock offset for the wheels where then)
NO rub anywhere and looked alot better than stock.

I really liked this pic.

I ran 235 tires for years on stock rims,
ya, they rub a bit, who cares, they look
great and the power is still good.

Wild

Thanks for the replies.  Looks like I'll go with 235s and if there is rubbing I'll deal with it. 

I have a 97 two door, five speed.  I needed a two inch lift to clear my 235 BFG's.  They still rub a little do to the wheel offset.

It drives much better with the bigger tires.  You won't be disappointed!



Cwkick

Will you have the power to pull the hills in 5th gear?

Boy, is THAT a loaded question!
Let me tell you about MY expertise in this area.
Elevation above sea level MATTERS.

I live 9,000 feet above sea level (2,727 Meters, for you metric folks).

My STOCK 4-door with the 1.6L 16 Valve engine can't make it up to the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70 (elevation about 11,000 feet - 3,353 Meters) in 5th gear.  It's down to 4th or even 3rd on STOCK TIRES.

My 2-door 1.6L 16 Valve - the Gnewt - with 31 X 10.50's (soon to be 33's) even with the 5.83:1 Ring and Pinion gears, is DEFINITELY down to 3rd gear, and maybe even 2nd on a bad day.

Don't worry so much about climbing those hills.  You'll survive a downshift!