mountaineerjeff

Im getting a set of street tires and rims for my jeep and am concerned about todays market focusing on low profile tires.

I have access to a set of 17" and 18" rims.

I found some nitto 555 in 255/50/17 that seem to fit the bill but have a diameter of only 27" Im afraid it will look too weird. the jeep isnt lifted at all and these tires are only for street use, I have a set of 30s on GC rims that I wheel with. At first I didnt think 27" was too little but then I found out the tire I chose is a common choice for mustang owners, which makes me think if it fits good on a stang, its too small for a jeep.


what do you guys run on your non lifted jeeps?

excess650

The base model XJs had 215-75-15s. Mine had 225-75-15s Goodyear Wranglers from the factory. They were later changed with 235-70-15 BFG Touring TAs, Firestone 235-75-15 Destination, and now 235-75-15 Wranglers.

You mention 17" and 18" wheels. The last time I checked it was far more inexpensive to buy 15s than 16s 17s or 18s. Its your $, but 27.7" was the height of 215s, and 28.9" the height 235-75-15s.

mountaineerjeff

its a matter of finding a medium between $ and performance, and there arent many street tires out there for 15s in the 28" range. they are all line 20"-22"

I think the 255/50/17 shouldnt look any worse than 'different' now its just a matter of making sure I can get the 17 rims, because like you mentioned, smaller tires are cheaper.

Killabrew

oh no!!!!!! you better think this over!!!!

djb383

WTF???? Here's 41 for starters. LOL

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...75&diameter=15

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...70&diameter=15

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...60&diameter=15

275/60/15 on some good lookin' 15X8 rims.......sahweeeeeet!

mountaineerjeff

I don't see anything there in the same relm as a Nitto555. Long trail, and wranglers arnt my idea of a good street tire...I'm talking summer only, good grip, and something that might actually hook a little.

mountaineerjeff

I do see a couple that might work, but a 275 tire on a factory rim? Will it hold, and or rub?

djb383

Your OP said getting tires AND rims.....a 15X8 rim is not stock. We are talking about the XJ, not a Civic, right? A LS1 XJ might break 275s loose.

A 255/50/17 is 27" tall, not 28".......costs more than any other tires I listed and I'll bet 17" wheels cost substantially more than a 15".

.......and talk about heavy (17"+ wheels), lots of extra unsprung weight.

Firestorm500

Heck, just get either a 225/70R15 or a 235/70R15 and put them on your stock 15" wheels.

You get an XJ or any other older SUV cornering with a lot of grip and you'll probably turn it over due to the high center of gravity relative to a modern car.

mountaineerjeff

pretty much all wrong.

I also said I have access to 17" or 18" rims. so if I run 15, it has to be on a stock rim, Im not gonna buy a new set. right now I have a set of 15s but I have the option to sell them and trade up to either a 17 or 18, both of which are lighter. a lightweight racing rim means less unsprung. weight and more power to the ground. and a taller sidewall will handle worse.

I am putting these on a full bolt-on 4.0 with DTbs, AEM ECU, and 100 shot of N20. (check my build) so yes I will break anything loose.

thank you for your concern, but ill always take too much grip over not enough. id rather risk pulling two wheels off the ground and letting off it andsetting it back down, to just sliding uncontrollably.

mountaineerjeff

I guess to clarify, im asking

Is a 27" tire too small?

How wide of a tire is safe for
A: not rubbing (front and back can be different.) ?
B: if I run stock, can fit on a stock wheel and wheel well?

Do they even make the size we come up with?

fatboyadams

There is a web site called 1010tires.com go there they have a tire size calculator put in the size and it will give u all the measurements you want

djb383

Use the metric tire size formula to calculate tire width/diameter, start measuring the fender wells, determine what size wheel u want, learn what wheel backspacing/offset does and figure it all out......gotta tape measure?

excess650

If you trim your fenders and change offset on the wheels, you can go with wider tires. There are spacers avaialble to change the offset, so can be used with the wheels you have available. Wide 27" should be OK with the proper offset.

mountaineerjeff

yes, I know how to convert metric to standard, thats how I cam up with 27"

I should nee to run spacers anyway. I think im going to try a 27/10/17 in the back and 26/7/17 in the front. im hoping it doesnt look to weird, but it definitely should drive much better, and get out of the hole a little better.

i guess ill just try it first.