30x9.5's fit with no or minor rubbing on stock rims, chances are the steel ones you had, had a different offset/backspacing. I've also seen pictures of 31's on stock rims and no lift, with only minor rubbing, and heard of 32's fitting with no lift with only a little trimming of the bumper and hammer work to the fender seam to eliminate any rubbing and I have run 30's on American Eagle Rims with and without a lift and NO rubbing in either case.

So don't abandon the 30's just yet!

08' Jeep Wrangler
64' Plymouth Sport Fury 383
58' Triumph TR-3A