My son is coming home from the Navy in April and I am going to give him my 2008 JK unlimited X (85K miles). It is pretty much stock (bought it when the JK was introduced in late '07). It was my DD; I did replace the stock X 16"s with stock Sahara 18" wheels and tires. I want to turn the keys over to him with "cool tires." I have been looking around and the options are a bit overwhelming so turn to you -- the sages on JKF. He doesn't want to lift the JK but 33 and up it seems you should--yes, I am a noob.

Looked at some wheel/tire packages out there and am considering 33 Mickey Thompsons. What do you guys recommend: a 2.5" lift is not out of the question but 35s are (not too practical for the driving he will have to do). What brands of tires and wheels should I focus on? Are the wheel/tire combos some vendors have a good choice? Any vendors I should look at first or also avoid?

Any pointers would help out a lot. Thanks...

 

So I run the BFG All Terrain KO2. I am very happy with the ride and the look of the tire. They are really quiet. As far as size. I have 285/70/17 on a -13 off set wheel with at Teraflex leveling kit. I think you are fine running up to a 33 on stock or after market wheels. As long as he is just going to do street driving and minimal off road.

 

I have used local Discount Tire shops for my last 5 sets, I like the free balance/rotate (usually every 3k, sometimes more often just for the hell of it) and roadhazard wherever I happen to be in the country. You could also try Discount Tire Direct (their mail order guys), as they should have a forum discount and no tax, as well as whatever other discounts are going on.

For the size, up to you. A lot of people are running 33x10.50's with no issues. If you go taller or wider, look at new rims with less backspace or a good set of wheel adapters. You could also look at trimming the stock fender flares (lots of threads and youtube vids on this) or swapping to flat flares. If you want a lift, go for it. Just pay attention to which components are included. It sounds like a cheap basic 2-2.5" budget boost would be fine, but if you want to spend more for new coils, that is an option as well. (with coils, do some reading so you get an idea of the actual height you can expect)

For specific tire recommendations, give us some more information on the location/use and what you think your sons expectations will be. All freeway with no dirt? Lots of snow and ice in the winter? Loves the aggressive look, wouldn't be happy with a wimpy all terrain? Too many options to just be throwing out names.

If you are getting rims as well, you will need to decide on a size. 15's and 16's can work, but personally I would suggest going with 17's.

 

I have a 2008 Unlimited with 295/70/17 Nitto Trail Grapplers, essentially 33's that are about 11" wide. I have about 65K miles on them and they still have decent life left on them. They are good on road, not too noisy, and work great on the trails!

I have a 2.5 TeraFlex BB lift, and kept the stock wheels with 1.5" wheel spacers. Here are a couple pics.





Thanks him for his service! I am active duty Coast Guard going on 28 years.

 

While large wheels and short tire sidewalls are popular with the pick-up truck crowd, they are not the most popular with folks who actually use Jeeps off road. The reason is lack of sidewall reduces protection for the wheel and lowers the effectiveness of driving with reduced tire pressure. Even if your son doesn't intend to drive off road, would he rather drive something that looks sensibly built for what it is, or something that suggests "mall crawler"? Personally, I run 16" wheels with 35s, but 17s are far and away the most popular. I think that 16s are perfectly suited to 33 inch tires; 17s are better suited to 35s and up. A 4.5" backspacing on the wheels will ensure there is no rubbing (or a good wheel spacer if sticking with stock wheels). Also, many 33" tires are smaller than the stock Rubi 32s. I know, that doesn't make sense, but it's just the way it is. A lift may not be necessary, though you might want to install a leveling kit.

As for the tire selection: MTs are not terribly good on wet roads. Even a lot of ATs aren't all of that good. I've had Pirelli Scorpion ATs (on an F-150) and Dick Cepek FC IIs (on my Jeep) and both lacked the certainty I want on wet highways. I finally found a tire that I trust on wet roads: The Goodyear Duratrac. Not the best in mud, but it has a somewhat aggressive look for an AT tire, and it performs well in sand, snow and ice (as well as can be expected on ice, anyway). It is a reasonably quiet tire, too, though you can ruin that by not rotating regularly. I have somewhere around 120K miles and am on my third set, I like them that much. I would worry a lot less about my daughter driving around on a set of Duratracs than should she opt for MTs because she wanted an aggressive look.

Another consideration: I'd recommend get a programmer such as a ProCal. That will allow you to adjust the tire size in the computer software so that the odometer, speedometer, and all other calculations based on this (DTE, etc) are correct. Personally I use a Hypertech, but each has different strong points and settings it can change, so do some research and see if there's any that better meets up with your desires. And ignore all claims about performance/gas mileage boosting: That's the marketing executives at work, not the engineers.

Finally, a couple pictures. First, my Jeep on 33" Dick Cepek FC IIs. I did have a 2.5" budget boost and 16" wheels with 4.5" backspacing when these images were shot ...

Disney, Oklahoma ...



Poison Spider Mesa ...



I believe I had a coil lift when this image was shot on Elephant Hill Trail ...



And my friend's 2012 with 33" Duratracs, 17" stock wheels, wheel spacers and a 2.5" coil lift next to my Jeep on 35" Duratracs with 16" wheels and a 2.5" coil lift ...

Toroweap, Grand Canyon National Park ...



Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (Mt Rainier in the background). 17" wheels and 4.7" backspacing ...



And then just his Jeep ...

The Maze, Canyonlands National Park. 17" wheels with 4.7" backspacing ...



Engineer Pass 17" wheels with 4.7" backspacing ...

 

This is a minimal, basic 3/4" coil spacer lift, stock 17 x 7.5 wheels, 34" tires (305 70 17).

What gearing and transmission is in your Jeep? I always say if you're gonna do it, do it right the first time. Larger tires equal lower gearing to keep power, and there are charts out there for choosing the right ones for your desired tire size. Roughly $700/axle at a reputable shop

 

It is possible to go with 35s with minimal suspension work. Provided the rims used have better backspace than stock. I have only a 1 inch Teraflex coil spacer set and 17s with 4.5 backspace and I with no rubbing.

 

I love the aggressive look of my 33" Duratracs for an AT tire as well as the performance and the ride. I have Spidertrax wheel spacers and the Teraflex leveling kit and have no rubbing. I think its a great package for a JK.

 

Discount Tire Direct is an excellent resource. They have been a forum sponsor for many years. They will help you select the the tires and wheels, mount and balance them, and ship them to your door ready to bolt on. They will even install new TPMS in the whels as well as all new lugs.

As Mark said 17's are the most common/popular. Get something with 4.5 inches of backspacing so the tires will be flush with the fenders and also not rub.

I recommend the Nitto Terra Grappler for a nice "Jeep " tire that is excellent in wet weather and is long lasting. Stick with a D rated or less tire for a daily driver.

 

275/7/18 no lift. They rub a bit but not bad. I would consider a lift or at least a 2.5in spacer