Hey Guys:

(1) What other makes (Bronco/Ford/etc?) of wheels fit the Sportage? Did I see that some were using Ford Bronco wheels? Are Bronco wheels the same lug pattern as 5-hole Ford pickups? I am thinking of going a little bigger, and may look for some used wheels for the bigger tires.

(2) What size tires can I go up to without a lift kit? It seems there may be a little extra room around my stock 205/75/R15. or do I need to add some hockey pucks?

(I thought these questions were explicit enough to understand, but maybe no one knows the answers)

Thanks,
Pat

1.) The Sportage has wheels that have 5 on 5.5".

2.)Didn't really understand what you were asking... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> Those tires sound like the stock size. if you plan on going bigger, I'd say go for either Dave Scot's 4" lift or the Eibach spring lift. Plus it makes the Sporty ride better, at least with the Eibach lift, don't have any experience with Dave's... Drop him a line or KP and ask him about his. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Do you have a Sawzall? If so, set tire next to Vehicle & cut to fit. Then install, simple.


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Acutually, do what lift you want 1st then trim, stock Rigs will rub the front bumper shields with 29's. Keep in mind the stock tires are 27's.

I spent alot of $ with the trial & error. What do you what your Rig to do? Are you going for looks? Ground clearance? Mud & hills? Rocks? Sand? Trees?

31X12.5's with a 4"-5" lift will rub everywhere. Boggers anyway.

Main thing is, what is your end result with your Kia? Go Freeky or go Mild, Either way it's all good.

Might wanna try the mild body lift 1st & then see if ya wanna go higher / suspension then = $$$.

Bottom line is bigger tires mean cut n trim n lift, or rub!

P.S. Backspacing on the wheels is also very important.

Just my 0.02 of what I went thru.

Full-sized Broncos & F150s (and a few F100s) through the 1996 model year all have the same 5x5.5" bolt pattern and can be used on the Sportage. There may be other vehicles (Dodge trucks?) that have similar bolt patterns. I know that Chevy/GMC use a 6-lug rim, so they will not work on the KIA.

Try a search for "tire size" in this forum for all kinds of info on what fits, how much and where rubbing occurs. I believe that a 235/75R15 will fit a non-lifted Sportage with minimal rubbing under compression and possibly full-lock turns. This size will also fit on the stock rims. Not sure if the 2WD Sportages have different clearances (I doubt it), but you may want to go to the local tire shop and ask if they'll test fit some to be sure.

IMO, the Eibach lift and 235 tires are perfect. Only rubbing I have is a slight contact with the left rear shock. Not enough to scuff the tire, but the paint is worn off the shock.

I'm running 225/75/15 on stock wheels on my '98 2 wd with no rubbing. The speedo is not really affected either according to my handheld GPS it's right on. One word of coution on hte ford wheels. I know that the wheels on the shops '92 F-150 here have a smaller center hole opening, and do not fit, also most of the factory dodge truck wheels have the same problem.

I have a set of Bronco factory steel wheels that have the correct bolt pattern but to small of a center hole too.

I am currently running 215/75R15 tires, origionals were 205/75R15. The speedo is about 1/2MPH low at 70 which is actually a little closer than it was with the stock tires (1MPH high)

are they 2wd wheels or something? why are they different?

Dave, Ford never made a 2WD Bronco- every one of them was a 4x4. However, the little Bronco II did come in 2WD or 4WD.

I'm curious about the center hole too. Are you guys sure the wheels were off Broncos and not the little Bronco II? If it was the full-sized Bronco, what year(s)? I've been thinking about changing rims and would like to avoid getting the wrong ones.

rrrrrnnnnnnnnnntttttttt! wrong, there is one out in the parking lot right now! 2wd fullsize bronco, single front shock set-up, prolly 302 engine.

Not all 4x4s had dual shocks. If it's really a 2WD, then I bet it's a custom job or some kind of 'concept' acquisition. I'm pretty sure that FORD never built a 2WD full-sized Bronco as a production vehicle.