Wheel size?

[ctracy5]

Well now that the lift is "done" my next planned upgrade are the tires. I am planning on getting new wheels as well, I am looking for now to get some 33"s. With my current wheel size 15x7 my only option are the km2 33 x 10.5 / 15 good tire but I would like a more common size to have more options so I could get cheaper / used spares etc. So the goal would be around a 33" and under 12.5" wide. So my biggest question is do I go with a 17" wheel or 16" wheel, seems like 17" wheels are more common. Would the reduced side wall effect airing down and off-road ability. I was looking at some 285/75-17s just over 33.8" tall and 11.2" wide any opinions.

[Chris]

How about some 285/70/17's Chris?

http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/...es-tires-tires

[ctracy5]

I would be interested if you still have them when money comes my way probably tax time, but I am looking for these tires to be my off road only tires so something a little more aggressive. I'm planning on running some 31/10.5 15r on my current rims for around town to keep some sense of MPG.
How wide of wheels are you running, 8" or 10". Browsing craigslist it is hard to find 8" wide rims let alone 10". How much for the MTR

[otisdog]

Stick with 8" wide wheels. They hold the bead better than 10" when you air down.
I think a 15" wheel gives you more choices with better prices on tires.
In my avatar my rig has 33" KM2's on 8" wide wheels. I've also had them on 7" wheels.
Backspacing is real important too with the bigger wider tires.
Jim

[Chris]

X2 what Jim said.

I have the set of 4 prices posted Chris, prefer not to sell the single MTR because I lose too much doing that - I paid $60 for it because I didn't want to wheel w/o a spare and didn't really have a choice.

If you want street tires I'll give you the Coopers.

[ctracy5]

Totally understand about not wanting to split up the tires, did you ever take the coopers in the dirt? I am wondering the taller tires would be better then 30 x 9.5 Falkens just because of the height for Moab or do you not recommenced them for off-road. But with that said I am currently on 15 x 7s so I would have to get the new rims, which I am in the process of trying to save for.

Jim?

Did you run the 10.5s or the 12.5s on the 7" wide set, I have been told that 12.5s crown to much on 7" wide wheels. This car isn't my DD anymore but does drives on pavement, I don't want to invest in tires just eat them up prematurely.

Lastly I have noticed that on the 17s the major reason for the price increase is they up the load ratings, sometimes from a C to an E rating, I wouldn't mind the thicker tires but wonder if the added weight would kill my already gutless engine.

[ctracy5]

One last thought is to use my current rims for off roads tires if I could safely put 12.5s on there and get a "nice" set of 17s for driving around town. 17s seem to have a huge selection for street tires, and the coopers would be prefect at that point.

[xaza]

Trying to find a used tire for a 15" rim is a PITA. If you are upgrading the rims I would say go to a bigger size that is more common. That will also allow more room if you ever decide down the road to try and upgrade brakes. A 7" rim is pretty narrow. My brother is running 33x10.5 tires on a stock rim(15x7 I think)and it is not wide enough it is squishing tire causing poor contact to road.

[otisdog]

You need an 8" wheel for 12.5's.
I did run 33x10.50's on 7" wheels and had no problems. They were the KM1's. Tall and skinny.
jim

33x10.50's on 7" wide wheels

[Chris]

I don't really recall but this pic was my first time off-road with the truck, from what I see it looks like I already has the GYSA on.

[JFjeld]

Just for point of reference, I run my 35x12.5x15 on an 8" rim. I typically run down to 7 psi on the trails and have never walked off a bead. I wouldn't do that on a 10" rim unless I had beadlocks. Also, tires are a LOT cheaper (for some reason) for a 15" wheel. For example, my Cooper Discoverer STTs in the above size were about ~ $225/per. That same 35x12.5 for a 17" rim were about $350/per. I have no idea why, particularly since mine would have more tire compound due to the larger sidewall; but it is what it is.

I was unclear from your post above if you have wheels as well, and I'm uncertain as to your lug pattern, but you can easily find Cragar Soft 8s in a 15x8 with good backspacing for about $60/per from Summit Racing.

[gm4x4lover]

Personally I would run 16's. They give you the height with out having to go with the width. I would also run either 8" or 7" wide wheels. Also with a lot of the steel wheels you can order them with custom back spacing so you can stick them as far out, or in, as you like. Also the 16's are cheaper than the 17's. 15's don't have a lot of choices as far as different tire sizes go, unless you are planning on running a mainstream size like 33x12.50x15 or 35x12.50x15. If I was building a trooper like yours I would run 16's and most likely a 285x75x16 (33x11.25x16) on a 16x7 with 3" of back spacing.

[Max]

Jason is right about 15" being cheaper than 17" tires. I just looked.

15" Tires

17" Tires

[JFjeld]

Max previously posted:

[ctracy5]

Most of the 17s are E load tires where the 15s are C load rated. Extra weight but also more durable.

[gm4x4lover]

There are lots of other reasons for 16's and 17's to be more expensive. I like the adjustability of the different heights vs width that's available in 16's and 17's. unless I am strictly looking for 33's or 35's I don't think I will ever run a set of 15's again.

[ctracy5]

Seeing how as far as what I have seen Craigslist most of the newer stock jeep and truck rims for sale are 17s so I am guessing that over time that will be a more dominate size in the future IMO.

[ctracy5]

Well to bad, I am out of cash at the moment

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/pts/4183788212.html

[gm4x4lover]

I don't think 15's will fall off the face of the planet for trucks like 14's did how ever sizes, types, and the quality level of the tires will certainly be affected.

[96blkbeauty]

Nothing wrong with running a 33x10.50 tire on a 7" wide wheel. Thats only a 3.5" difference between wheel and tire width. One of the most common sizes being run is a 12.50 tire on a 8" wide wheel. 4.5" difference compared to the 3.5. Lots of people also run 12.50" tires on 10" wide wheels...2.5" difference with no problems. I've even run a 12.50" wide tire on a 7.5" wide wheel and the wear was OK. Just have to pay attention to your tire pressure.

I'm currently running 15x8's with a -19mm offset and 3.25" backspacing, 33x12.50 Duratracs and i've had great wear.

I'd also recommend 15x8 wheels for you and your application. Sounds like you're trying to save up and don't want to spend a lot of money...and 17's will cost you quite a bit more. But i'm also just a fan of the smaller wheel/more tire look.