15" rims - pros and cons?
#1
JK Freak
Thread Starter
15" rims - pros and cons?
I'm planning to move up to 35" tires in the next few months. I have noticed that tires seem to be cheaper for 15" rims. What are some of the pros and cons of smaller rims vs larger rims? What would I need for back spacing?
My jeep is a DD, but I do like to play in the rocks and I am starting to look for harder trails.
My jeep is a DD, but I do like to play in the rocks and I am starting to look for harder trails.
#4
JK Junkie
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Quinlan, TX
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Many people have 15" wheels. I will be going to a 15" when i upgrade wheels and tires eventually.
Pros are cheaper tires, air down more, looks beefier
Cons are sometimes limited sizes, some say worse road handling
Find the 15" wheel thread and it will tell you the wheels that are proven to fit.
Pros are cheaper tires, air down more, looks beefier
Cons are sometimes limited sizes, some say worse road handling
Find the 15" wheel thread and it will tell you the wheels that are proven to fit.
#5
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: 54° 4.5' N 123° 7' W
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I just made the switch from 18" rims to 15x8 yesterday. I had the same fears of the rims not fitting, compounded by the fact that nobody in town has test rims that you can fit on the jeep before ordering 5 of them! Anyway, I decided to take the plunge, after asking a few people here who ran the same rims. Clearance was not a problem in my case, but I have heard that rubicons may be different than saharas (bigger rotors?)
So far I am very happy. The setup is actually 8 lbs lighter on each wheel, and it looks amazing! DO IT. Cost difference alone in the tires makes up for the new rims. (OK I wouldn't have needed to replace the spare if I stayed with the 18's, but don't tell my wife that)
The other advantage is that I went from an E rated tire which felt too rough to a C rated which is probably better suited to the jeep's weight class.
Attachment 287025
Attachment 287024
This is the caliper clearance.
Backspacing is admittedly a bit extreme on these Ions - 3.5". Procomps I think are 3.75.
So far I am very happy. The setup is actually 8 lbs lighter on each wheel, and it looks amazing! DO IT. Cost difference alone in the tires makes up for the new rims. (OK I wouldn't have needed to replace the spare if I stayed with the 18's, but don't tell my wife that)
The other advantage is that I went from an E rated tire which felt too rough to a C rated which is probably better suited to the jeep's weight class.
Attachment 287025
Attachment 287024
This is the caliper clearance.
Backspacing is admittedly a bit extreme on these Ions - 3.5". Procomps I think are 3.75.
Last edited by PG-JKU; 03-09-2012 at 03:13 PM.
#6
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Winnipeg, Mb.
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I switched to 15's about 3 months after I got my JK.
PRO's - Dirt cheap 33's and 35's.
CON's - Weight? Tires would be heavier I think. Some wheels fit fine, some hit the rotor.
PRO's - Dirt cheap 33's and 35's.
CON's - Weight? Tires would be heavier I think. Some wheels fit fine, some hit the rotor.