xjmafia

I'm running 16 inch icons now. I was looking to get some treadwrights when I like my jeep. What's everyones thoughts on 16s or 15s? Treadwrights doesn't carry much for 15s. I was thinking of some 15x10 d windows if I downsize.

Rock Toy

Not enough information. What size lift and what size tires are you planning on running?
Are you going to wheel it or is it just for looks? More info is always a good idea.
I don't like 16s for wheeling because the tires normally cost more and you have to have a taller tire to get the needed sidewall for flex.

cdawall

Pretty common misconception that 16's are more expensive unless you are looking at **** 15's the price is normally roughly the same if not cheaper. This is due to the industry moving away from 15's as a whole on trucks. 16-18" are OEM size on all pickups now. As for sidewall flex when he starts mentioning he has beadlocks I would worry about it. As it sits now the type tire makes more of a difference than the rims size for tire flex. I would bet you anything my 16" radial coopers have way more sidewall flex than my 15" bias swampers. I personally would stick with 16's especially if looking at treadwrights.

ktmracer419

id run 15's for a 35" tire or smaller. theres just more tire options, and they are generally cheaper. as long as you can fit them over your brake setup.

once you start getting into 35+" tires I would go straight to 17's. they will fit over the brakes on the axles you SHOULD be running with tires that big and most companies are phasing out thier large tires for 15" wheels if they already havent.

xjmafia

im lookin at a 4.5 RC kit, as far as the use of the xj, its my dd in the winter and alot in the summer. I wont offroad it much if at all. I like to camp and do out doors stuff. The tire size i was looking at was 265s or maybe 285 guard dogs 16 inch. I found a set of 15x10 d windows bead lock simulators a set of 5 for 250 bucks. i do like the looks of my icons so i was just asking to get some input.

96cherokeemike

i went with 16 crager steelies when i bought my treadwrights, more tire options from treadwright for the 16 inch rim, they discontinued most of the good 15 inch sizes and you can get up to a 315 which is basically a 35 for the 16 inch rims. just my opinion id go with 16s especially if running treadwrights.

jcwclm

This

Rock Toy

Not sure what you are trying to say when you state that unless you are looking at ****15s the price is normally roughly the same if not cheaper.
When I run 38 plus inch tires I go with 17 inch rims, smaller tires 35 inches and down I run 15 inch rims. I have always found the 15s to flex better and cost less than 16 inch tires, but I haven't purchased any treadwright tires. Now in my 4x4 pickup I run 16 or 17s but they aren't for wheeling so less flex and sidewall are good things.

cdawall

I am saying that if you look at prices right now 15's and 16's are roughly the same price. Some are cheaper some are more expensive. There are however still tons of dirt cheap crap tires in 15". There is all of .5" all the way around on a 16" rim there isn't a massive flex difference in the tires. Currently less and less vehicles can even clear a 15" rim over the brakes. The size is dieing 16"s are getting more popular and the prices reflect that. As of right now treadwright doesn't carry **** for 15" tires.

mr white

If you have your heart set on treadwrights, keep the 16s.
If not, wait until some tires pop up and buy the rims accordingly.

mr white

I'll be no one would notice the difference of a 16 vs a 15 in rim anyway as far as sidewall flex, or even looks goes.

Rock Toy

Not sure what sizes you're talking about I just checked and could not fine 33x12.5 r16s or 35x12.5 r16s on tire rack and the metric sizes I found were mostly D and E weight rated tires which is fine for a heavy truck but not what I want on a 4000 lb or less wheeling rig. As for 15 inch rims clearing brake rotors you are correct about less and less vehicles being built that can run 15 inch rims but the Cherokee can run 15 inch rims.
As for the dirt cheap crap tire in 15 inch comment I don't run cheap crap tires. If you look at my signature you'll see I run KM2s on my Cherokee and Super Swamper TSLs on my Flat Fender. I've been at this for over 35 years and I do know a couple of things about what works and what doesn't work.
If you can find a tire that has a C load rating and three ply sidewalls for a 16 inch rim they maybe able to flex as well as a like sized 15 inch tire.

Just found some Mickey Thompson tires in 33x12.5 r16s they were averaged around $50 each more than the same size in a 15.

cdawall

285/75R16, 305/70R16, and 315/75R16 search a little harder. As for them being load range D big deal most people on here have added enough weight to their Jeep's to warrant them. Mine is still reasonably light and I can fully flex the tire out and it rides better than my 31x10.50R15 load range c's ever did.

If you check my signiture and build thread you will notice I run anything from a load range C 235/75R15 to a load range D 285/75R16 along with 33x12.50R15 TSL's best flexing tire I have had is the 285/75R16 cooper they only use 2 ply's in the sidewall but they are thicker plies to allow better flex. Pitbull does the same thing with their radials. Owning tires doesn't mean you know jack about ****. I can point you at a dozen blondes who have owned way nicer Jeeps and tires than I ever will that couldn't tell you what airing down means. Stop trying to stroke your e-*****.

Rock Toy

Didn't know we were in a pissing match. The OP was asking about staying with 16s or going to 15s I stated that I run 15s because they cost less and flex better. They do cost less and they do flex better in the same size, but you are correct that owning tires doesn't mean that you know jack **** about tires, that is more than obvious from your post.
By the way I didn't start this pissing match, you did, so maybe you should stop trying to stroke your e-*****.
I'm done with this thread, I figure the OP has whatever info he needed and I don't want to play anymore.