JGW006

I have a 2000 XJ with 4 1/2" lift. Fenders were cut way back by a prior owner. The XJ currently wears 17" wheels with 255/75-17 tires (these now measure just under 31"). My current wheels are also are mounted to 2" spacers / adapters. I will be replacing tires and wheels, and likely re-gearing front and back.

Discount tire recommended a particular 17" wheel, 8.5" wide (-6 backspace); and for tires they recommended 33" 12.5x17 (one of the brands discussed was Fallen Rocky Mountain ATS). One observation the guy at Discount Tire made was that my current tires look way to narrow for the 4 1/2" lift and Busheacker-type flares the XJ currently has.

With that wheel / tire combination he said my XJ would ride 1.71" higher Than it does now and have 2.41" wider tread on the road.

But, my local 4x4 place is recommending I stay with 15" wheels with proper back spacing (no recommendation from them yet on tires). If I go with 15" wheels, then to get the total tire height up to the 31"-33" that I want will mean much taller side walls (right?).

One of my main considerations in my new tires will quality, All Terain (not dedicated rock crawlers or mudders), and that are relatively quiet on road / highway. My XJ is a daily driver and weekend warrior. I want it capable on the weekends, and generally quiet / comfortable on the road (but I wont be buying highway tires).

My questions are:

1. What are pros and cons of a17" wheel vs a 15" or a 16" wheel, considering overal height of tire I want to be 31"-33"?

2. When I look at tires for a 17" rim, it seems there is a much lower selection as compared to 15" or even 16". Since I want a capable tire offroad and a relatively quiet tire on road, does that shift me toward a 15" or 16" rim instead of a 17"?

3. Whatever the rim diameter is, what width rim makes sense for this?

Thank you.

Gee oh Dee

Most guys are using a 15" rim, 7-8, sometimes 10" wide. Lately folks have been going larger. Maybe for the ability to use larger brakes, maybe just for looks.

Either run a 10.5" wide or 12.5" wide tire. Most go with what they think looks best, performance is personal preference there.


Road noise has nothing to do with rim size. Thats ALL tread design, depth, and pattern.

exjay1027

-6" backspace is what dc recommended? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that less than a stock wheel?

Most guys from what I can tell will run wheels around 4" of bs (smaller number = wheels stick out further)

Gee oh Dee

They made word/measure back spacing differently?

Lowrange2

I'd buy 15x8" wheels(3.5" bs) and whatever 33x12.50x15 tire you want.

JGW006

How would a jeep handle differently with 33x12.5x15 vs. 33x12.5x17? In other words, if all other things are equal, what would the 15" rim vs 17" rim do to the ride?

It seems that a 33" tire on a 15" rim might have a softer ride / not handle at highway speeds quite as well since it would have 2" more sidewall / 2" less rim; whereas a 33" tire on a 17" rim would have 2" more rim / 2" less sidewall.

So, would the highway handling be affected? Off road handling affected? Highway noise?

Thedude

I've had a 17 inch wheel with a 31"x10.5" tire and a 33"x12.5" on a 15 inch wheel. they handled the same way. The 33" set up does have a slightly softer ride, but not that you can really shake a stick at.. there really isn't nothing that noticeable. I think my 33x12 handles better in snow and rain, but it might just be the tire tread. Off road handling is like 6 of one and 1/2 a dozen of the other. Some of it comes from the width, most comes from the tread

I ARE EL1TE

Also one thing to consider is that tires for a 15" rime are cheaper than ones for a 17" rim

prerunner1982

I think they accounted for the 2" spacer/adapters the OP is using.

JGW, if you are going to buy new wheels, get the right back spacing and ditch the spacers. I think 3.75"-4" backspacing is pretty common/normal.

BEETROOT

In your situation, the only reason I can think of to go with the 17" wheels is that you can get tire take offs from a JK. JK Rubicons came stock with 17" wheels and 32" BFG Mud Terrains, and you can get really good deals on them on Craigslist.

JGW006

Thanks all. I'm not going to buy take offs from another jeep; I'll buy new but only want to buy once and do it right the first time. Tires and wheels are too expensive to make a mistake with. And I do plan to do away with the spacers. I want to buy what fits and is right, without spacers.

Turbo X_J

If your increasing the unsprung weight, handling goes south, just the way it is.

JGW006

I'm not nearly educated on what you said to understand it. Can you please elaborate some?

Thanks!

Ianf406

I personally like 16" rims. I find there are alot more options at 315x75x16s then there are at 35x12x15

cleenrob

15'' tires are much cheeper than 17s
i personaly prefer 15'' with a meaty looking tire

check out treaddepot.com i jusst ordered 33x12.5xr15 cooper discover stt for 172 per tire
the 17'' was 70-90$ more per tire