performance tires
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CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,000
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From: West By God Virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 99 4.0
Im looking to find a good performance/summer tire and am having a hard time coming up with anything. I want something that will fit on the stock rim, and most companies are not making too many choices in 15" anymore. especially with a higher sidewall that is needed on a jeep.
Id like to get something between a 27"-29" Im thinking that a taller tire may help MPGs. I wanted to run a set of Nittos or something similar. they make a 325/50/15 in the N555R
I dont think width will be in an issue, as I will most likely run a much narrower tire up front because the jeep will always be in 2wd when these tires are on.
let me know what you guys think...jeep is currently stock height and will never get lifted more than 2"
Id like to get something between a 27"-29" Im thinking that a taller tire may help MPGs. I wanted to run a set of Nittos or something similar. they make a 325/50/15 in the N555R
I dont think width will be in an issue, as I will most likely run a much narrower tire up front because the jeep will always be in 2wd when these tires are on.
let me know what you guys think...jeep is currently stock height and will never get lifted more than 2"
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 94
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From: Murrieta
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: four litre
I really like my general grabbers ats they make a 265 75 15 which is in between a 29 and a 30. But the way I read it you asked for a performance tire and I run the general grabber hts on my tacoma and they came out on top for price and performance in consumer report tire test last year. Hope that helps.
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CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,000
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From: West By God Virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 99 4.0
I listed the 555R as an example, I mean as a only street tire. no offroad use. but I also need traction so im thinking of going with the muscle car stance with the larger wider in the rear and smaller narrower up front.
CF Veteran
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From: Warsaw, IN
Year: 2000,1990,1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Thread Starter
CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 3
From: West By God Virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 99 4.0
Im looking to find a good performance/summer tire and am having a hard time coming up with anything. I want something that will fit on the stock rim, and most companies are not making too many choices in 15" anymore. especially with a higher sidewall that is needed on a jeep.
Id like to get something between a 27"-29" Im thinking that a taller tire may help MPGs. I wanted to run a set of Nittos or something similar. they make a 325/50/15 in the N555R
I dont think width will be in an issue, as I will most likely run a much narrower tire up front because the jeep will always be in 2wd when these tires are on.
let me know what you guys think...jeep is currently stock height and will never get lifted more than 2"
Id like to get something between a 27"-29" Im thinking that a taller tire may help MPGs. I wanted to run a set of Nittos or something similar. they make a 325/50/15 in the N555R
I dont think width will be in an issue, as I will most likely run a much narrower tire up front because the jeep will always be in 2wd when these tires are on.
let me know what you guys think...jeep is currently stock height and will never get lifted more than 2"
please reread my post and get an understanding of what I said,
im looking for something between 27-29" Im thinking a taller tire will help MPGs....meaning that I would rather have a 28" over a 20" OD tire.
I then stated that nitto makes a 325/50/15
50% of 325 is 162.5
162.5mm=6.3976
6.4+6.4+15=27.8" OD
I think that fits my 27-29"
the only remark about width, was that the front doesnt need to be wide so it shouldnt rub when steering.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 3
From: West By God Virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 99 4.0
my problem is most performance tires are like 225/40/15 and the like making my OD closer to 20" which should hurt mpgs and look really weird
A 325 tire is still a 12.7xx inch tire as far as width goes. That's quite wide, my 32s are only 11.5 wide. I would suggest going with a smaller width with a larger ratio. You will also rub when turning flex or not.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,844
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From: Warsaw, IN
Year: 2000,1990,1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
please reread my post and get an understanding of what I said,
im looking for something between 27-29" Im thinking a taller tire will help MPGs....meaning that I would rather have a 28" over a 20" OD tire.
I then stated that nitto makes a 325/50/15
50% of 325 is 162.5
162.5mm=6.3976
6.4+6.4+15=27.8" OD
I think that fits my 27-29"
the only remark about width, was that the front doesnt need to be wide so it shouldnt rub when steering.
im looking for something between 27-29" Im thinking a taller tire will help MPGs....meaning that I would rather have a 28" over a 20" OD tire.
I then stated that nitto makes a 325/50/15
50% of 325 is 162.5
162.5mm=6.3976
6.4+6.4+15=27.8" OD
I think that fits my 27-29"
the only remark about width, was that the front doesnt need to be wide so it shouldnt rub when steering.
A 325/50/15= 27.8x12.8x15.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 1
From: Britt, MN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
take a spin down to walmart and ask for some road tires, drop jeep off, go shopping, after an hour the jeep got new tires and you are on your way. Those tires are going to be just fine for "performance" on a XJ. (as in any tire really) IMO
Honorary Moderator
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,135
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From: Gilbert AZ/Las Cruces NM
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 upgraded
yeah a 27.8x12.8/15 tire is pretty wide...
245/70/15 = 28.5x9.6/15 is what I would do front AND rear.
or
235/70/15 = 28x9.3/15
anything that is HT is what you want
and here is a link to what you should look at...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...70&diameter=15
245/70/15 = 28.5x9.6/15 is what I would do front AND rear.
or
235/70/15 = 28x9.3/15
anything that is HT is what you want
and here is a link to what you should look at...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...70&diameter=15
Last edited by 96_xj; May 19, 2011 at 10:59 AM.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran

Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 3
From: West By God Virginia
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 99 4.0
yeah a 27.8x12.8/15 tire is pretty wide...
245/70/15 = 28.5x9.6/15 is what I would do front AND rear.
or
235/70/15 = 28x9.3/15
anything that is HT is what you want
and here is a link to what you should look at...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...70&diameter=15
245/70/15 = 28.5x9.6/15 is what I would do front AND rear.
or
235/70/15 = 28x9.3/15
anything that is HT is what you want
and here is a link to what you should look at...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...70&diameter=15
I dont see a reason to not run a smaller tire up front, they are cheaper lighter, and less resistance
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,844
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From: Warsaw, IN
Year: 2000,1990,1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
............sometimes you guys are pretty tireing (pun) The width was never part of the discussion only sidewall. im not saying a 12" tire will get better mpgs than a 6" Im saying that a 18-12-15 vs 28-12-15. I do agree that 325 is a little wide, but it was just the closest example that Nitto offers. I think that about 10.5 may be enough. I dont think rubbing will be an issue, because the fronts will probably be 225ish and those will def not rub. I dont know how wide you can go on stock rims before they rub, like on the fender well or something similar.
I need something that will hook.
I dont see a reason to not run a smaller tire up front, they are cheaper lighter, and less resistance
I need something that will hook.
I dont see a reason to not run a smaller tire up front, they are cheaper lighter, and less resistance
You won't have rubbing issues in the back with that height range of tire. I don't believe they make them wide enough for that unless you go with drag radials.


