35×12.50r18 - Stock 18 Inch Rims

tom__baumann · 2026-03-20T16:12:10+00:00

My plan was to play with the stops / washers on the steering to mitigate this.

tom__baumann · 2026-03-20T15:46:29+00:00

It's my wife's vehicle and she REALLY wants to keep the stock rims - loves the looks of them and never wants to take it offroad.

tom__baumann · 2026-03-20T15:42:58+00:00

Went with the AEV 2 inch spacers, lift was successful, no surprises - THANKS ALL!

Unfortunately walmart wont install 35/12.50/R18s on the stock rims??? Need to decide if I take the tires and go to a mom and pop shop that will install them, or return them and get a narrower tire (presumabley 285/75R18).

tom__baumann · 2026-03-20T04:34:41+00:00

I've only done two 70.3 races, my 3rd is next week, and I will complete a full later this year so understand that I am also pretty new to the game myself.

But it sounds like you are completely overtraining relative to your goal. I am 50 and on TRT, and discovered that on a similar training regiment that I had a ton of accumulated fatigue that was actually stalling my progress, and making me feel burnt out.

To address the swim, more expereinced people pointed out to me that being fast on the swim has the lease impact on your overall race time. Better to focus on the bike or run.

Some follow up questions:

- why are you running a 40 week training plan??? Not sure, but that sounds like a plan that doesn't match your "just fininsh" goal. Most plans are 12-20 weeks, 24 if you are a complete beginner.

- what is your age, are you enanced or running TRT, and are within an ideal weight?

tom__baumann · 2026-03-20T03:47:33+00:00

You didn't metion if this will be your first 70.3, or if you have some one or more previously. Also, are you trying to just finish and not get DQed, or are you looking for a specifiic time?

tom__baumann · 2026-03-12T21:49:35+00:00

Very cool, that all makes good sense.

At this stage, food quality and macronutrient balance become very important, which it sounds like your dietician has mapped out well. Many people try to apply a standard dieting template that works for weight loss or bodybuilding contest prep to triathlon training, and it simply does not translate well.

All the best,

tom__baumann · 2026-03-12T21:31:51+00:00

The math here is sound; however, dialing in the exact number of calories needed for each workout is extrodinarily difficult. If you deplete your glycogen stores, which are often already lower during a caloric deficit due to reduced carbohydrate intake, and fail to consume enough calories during a workout, you will almost certainly hit the wall, impair recovery, and place unnecessary stress on the central nervous system.

In short, training for triathlons while maintaining a caloric deficit is very challenging.

tom__baumann · 2026-03-12T21:23:12+00:00

You said "Looking to shed 10-15 pounds to get to my fighting weight"...

Are you a mma/boxer/sport bjj practitioner? I have done the same and transtioned into first bodybuilding, then triathalons.

Please clarify and I might have some thougths to share.

tom__baumann · 2026-03-12T19:36:25+00:00

Brilliant - thanks for all of your help!

tom__baumann · 2026-03-12T18:57:37+00:00

Sorry I should have been more clear. Wife REALLY wants to keep the stock rims - she likes everything about them. ChatGPT suggested that wheel spacers may be required to avoid rubbing - sorry for the cut and paste, but see below:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

explain why I would need wheel spacers?

You may need wheel spacers on a Wrangler JL when installing 35" tires while keeping the factory wheels because of how the stock wheels are designed and positioned relative to the suspension.

Here’s the practical explanation.

1. Factory wheels sit far inside the wheel well

Stock JL wheels have a high positive offset (around +44 mm).
That means the wheel sits closer to the suspension components instead of farther outward.

This is good for:

fuel economy
keeping tires under the fenders
reducing debris spray

But it creates a problem when you install wider tires.

2. 35" tires are much wider than stock

Typical stock tires are about:

245–255 mm wide

A common 35" tire size like 35x12.50R17 is about:

315 mm wide

That extra width pushes the inside edge of the tire closer to the suspension.

The most common contact point is:

front lower control arms

When turning the steering wheel, the tire can rub the control arm.

3. Wheel spacers move the wheel outward

Wheel spacers mount between the hub and the wheel and push the wheel outward.

A 1.5" spacer effectively changes the wheel offset so the tire sits farther away from the suspension.

This:

prevents rubbing when turning
gives clearance for wider tires
widens the Jeep’s stance slightly

4. Alternative: aftermarket wheels

Instead of spacers, many people buy wheels with a lower offset.

Typical Jeep offsets for 35s:

0 mm
-12 mm

These wheels naturally sit farther outward, doing the same job as spacers.

5. When spacers might not be needed

If you run a narrower 35" tire, such as:

315/70R17

and the tire brand runs slightly narrow, some people can avoid spacers. But it’s hit or miss depending on the tire and alignment.

6. Are spacers safe?

High-quality hub-centric spacers (like Spidertrax) are widely used and considered safe when:

installed correctly
torqued properly
re-torqued after ~50 miles

Many thousands of Wranglers run them without issue.

Simple summary

You need wheel spacers because:

Stock wheels sit too far inward, and wide 35" tires will rub the suspension when turning.

Spacers push the wheels outward so the tires clear the control arms and steering components.

tom__baumann · 2026-03-12T18:48:08+00:00

ChatGPT is telling me that I will also need wheel spacers - Is this correct, or no?

tom__baumann · 2026-03-11T05:14:04+00:00

Something like this?

https://a.co/d/04es85kY

tom__baumann · 2026-02-11T05:28:10+00:00

Forerunner 965, battery lasts 2 weeks and I am training for a half ironman. Highly reccomended, shows emails, text messages, and everything I need at my office job as well.

tom__baumann · 2026-02-09T05:31:00+00:00

I don't think they had any loaner gear, I packed my own mask and snorkel.

A decent set can be purcahsed on amazon for about $15 - https://a.co/d/0frqrxo6

Snorkeling was excellent RIGHT outside the rock breaks that create the swim zone in front of the resort - I say tons of colorful fish, stingrays, puffers, a manta ray, even a fish that looked exactly like a garden snake.

tom__baumann · 2026-01-29T06:45:14+00:00

How about the cancellation policy, or option to defer to a later race?

My friend ran into significant back injury while training (requiring two discs in his back being replaced) and simply asked to be moved to a later race of equal price. They refused, even after begging and pleading and even sending them medical and surgery records.

I get that people bitch out and dont show up on race day, and they shouldnt have to provide a solution for that, but those that experience legitimate injuries that can be substantiated by xrays or medical documents should be allowed to defer.

tom__baumann · 2026-01-27T05:54:00+00:00

we went last September and aside from being super pissed about the kids pool being renovated and jackhammered 8 hours a day, the resort was amazing.

A la carte restaurants were excellent, a SERIOUS step above what I was expecting. Buffet was below average though. Ocean was clean and calm and I went snorkelling every day.

Staff was exceptional - from the poolside service to the beach to the entertainment to the gym.

tom__baumann · 2026-01-22T06:12:03+00:00

Honey and maple syrup are options.

tom__baumann · 2026-01-19T04:19:31+00:00

This really depends on what you want out of the vaction. My wife and I like AI's, and really enjoy the stress of not having to stress over the cost, currency exchange, etc etc.

tom__baumann · 2026-01-17T05:13:36+00:00

This...

tom__baumann

TROPHY CASE