I currently have 16" wheels and tires on my 2001 Grand Jeep Cherokee Laredo. I found a good deal on original 15" jeep wheels. Would it do harm or would it be ok to downsize to a 15" wheel and tires. Tire size im thinking about is either 235/75R15XL or 225/70R15

 

The reason there are 16" wheels on your WJ is the size of the front brakes. It is possible to get 15" steel wheels on with only 3.5" back spacing, but not aluminum rims with the 5.5" back spacing. So the answer is no unless you move the tires outside the fender wells.

 

I have a set of 15" wheels that seem to fit fine.trying to figure out what tire size to go to without scraping.original size was 225/75r16.before i got it someone put 235/75r17's on,they scrape.

 

You can go with a 29.5" diameter tire and be okay, but a 30" tire is getting close to scraping. I've been told 15s will fit with Akabono brakes, but not with Teves. The Akabono are lower profile and smaller calipers. It's easy to make the switch though. I fought for years with those Teves until finally I'd had enough and switched. No more dragging brakes or stuck pistons and warped rotors. Yay!

I'm running 245/70R16s on mine and the only time they scrape is nose down and turning sharply. They are 29.5" dia. I just put those tires on Black Rock 8x16 steel wheels with 4.5" backspacing and they are fine so far. I think the stock aluminum wheels are 7" with 5.25" backspacing.

REMEMBER the bolt pattern on your WJ is 5x5 and original 15" jeep wheels are 5x4.5. Make sure they are right BEFORE you buy them.

 

You're never gonna guess what!? Guy that sold these to me said they were 15" jeep rims. Went outside checked inside the boxes and the size on the back of actual rims are 16x7j . Thank God I went out and looked on actual rims. What an idiot for telling me 15"s. Well now I will have no problems at all! Thanks for your time and sorry about this.

 

The 245s are 9 5/8 wide and look great! Don't get a 75 because they will be too tall. Just my opinion and I'm sticking with it!

 

thank u very much for your time and advice,much appreciated