With the front wheels straight, I only have 1/2 inch from the wheel to the aft/rear of the wheel well. I measure 2-5/8 inches of of vertical distance--that's also worrysome to me if I'm going slowly down a steep rocky hill.

I think I'd have to either get a lift, or make the whole wheel well bigger! I already know your response--do both.

Unfortunately this is my daily driver. I 4x4 with backpacks or the mountain bike in the back; it actually stays in the Rodeo now instead of the house, unless I'm loading up family. 4x4 is the means of getting where I want, not the reason I have a 4x4.

I have a lot of respect for the mechanical, technical, and driving skill of you guys for whom 4x4 is the hobby, it's just not what I do. When I 4x4, I'm like the 6 year old kid the first time on an easy roller coaster; I'm screaming my head off, while all the adults who got on because it was the only coaster in the park with a short line are shaking their heads.

But you did confirm a suspicion--I would bet that many tires that list the same tire size, actually have different diameters when measured. Not by a lot (rubber's not cheap) but enough that this same tire size in a different brand would fit.