The rails you pretty much have to cut if you want to do something about them, but there are alternatives to having to cut the pinch seam..... could just bash it in with a sledge like my friend did

All seriousness tho, its your jeep, but as others said, trimming it is a very easy process and will look factory. Cut, spray, recap and done.

 

I decided to "man-up" and trim the rails! it was easy and definitely gave me peace of mind!

Thanks to everyone for your inputs and suggestions!

 

Haha proud of ya man!!! Jeeps actually like sawzalls next up fenders and bumpers?

 

I run 285s with a 2.5" RK lift on stock 17s with no spacers. I have had NO rubbing on the rails and have run a good number of the "black diamond" trails in SoCal this year, along with the Rubicon last month.

The only way to really know is go out and test your set up on real trail rides. At best you will not rub, at worst you might rub a little. Then you will know for sure. Start small to build confidence in your Jeep's set up. As you move up in challenges you will discover what needs to be "tweaked" and what doesn't. Those running 315s have a different set of needed "tweaks" than those running the less complicated 285s. So although their information is solid when it comes to 315s and larger, it does not mean it is a must for your set up with 285s.

An old old school Jeeper told me once many years ago, "for every one thing you change on a Jeep you have to adjust two others". I find this still true today.

 

Absolutely. Just pointing out that there are dynamics at play and those dynamics aren't included in a flex test.

 

Your first time is always the worst but you will get better from now on. If you don't want to do the pinch seam now then leave it and just watch and be careful when you flex it out. If you add bigger tires down the road you will for sure need to trim it. It's an easy project and with a little JB weld and a some paint and you'd never know otherwise.

 

As I look at the photo in the original post it looks like your pinch seam is already "trimmed" from the factory. Untrimmed pinch seams drop straight down and can really do a number on "oversize" tires. From the photo it is hard to tell how much clearance between the rails and tire you actually have.

The tires you are running with your rims have a calculated height of 32.71". As far as the pinch seam goes you are probably good to go unless, as previously stated, really distort your tire over a rock. (The pinch seams on my 10A Rubicon have also been "trimmed" from the factory.) I have Rubi-rails on my rig and plan on trimming them when I get larger tires. Better safe than sorry on the Rubi-rails is my advice. Previous posts are correct in that if you are careful when you cut your rails they will not be noticeable.

KG6SLC aka Eugene

 

Agree with you that it looks like already trimmed.

In my case with 315/75R16 tires on my 2011 JKU, I trimmed the pinch seams and cut 2 inches to the rubi rails, deburs, put some sealant/adhesive and recap it.

 

Thanks again to all. I greatly appreciate the advices!