I have been doing a fair bit of research to try and find out what type of wheel and tire is going to work best for me. I'm currently running a Metal Cloak 2.5 inch Game-changer lift and am considering upgrading to the 3-inch (just swap out the springs). My biggest gripe is that I'm located in the CA Central Valley, so most of the wheeling I do centers around boulders and granite and this absolutely chews through wheels and tires (not to mention skid plates and the like).

I originally wanted to go to a steel rim, but after some research I have decided against that and am likely going to be sticking with an alloy rim unless I can be convinced otherwise mainly because of the additional weight. I figured that steel rims would wear better on the Rubicon trail but from what I've read it's a give and take between allow and steel, and given that I only do the Rubicon once a year the benefit of the light weight of the alloys would outweigh the benefits of the steel rims.

I also decided that I want to go to a 15-inch diameter rim from the stock 17's. From what I read, it can be kind of a PITA to find a steel rim that will reliably fit onto the JK, so hence the alloys. My question is now what width rim can I fit onto the JK without issue. The stock rim is 7-inch wide, so I feel like an 8-inch wide rim would be step in the right direction, but a lot of rims are going to a 10-inch wide rim. Would going towards a 9 or 10-inch wide rim work on a JK?

That also begs the question as to the tire in question. Due to the rock issues, I'm pretty much settled on the Goodyear MTR with Kevlar sidewalls, but obviously until I decide on the rim width I can't decide on the tire size.

Maybe I'm overthinking everything, but dropping nearly 2k in new tires and wheels I want to make sure that I've thought of everything.

Currently sitting with 5x 35x12.50R15LT, Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar and 5 AR23 15x8 rims in my shopping cart.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/prodDetai.../R+With+Kevlar

http://www.4wheelparts.com/prodDetai...on_PQ=Aluminum

 

I'm running 15's
And no running discount the direct has a great selection of 15's that fit the jk. And as for lift you have a good 2.5 lift why change for .5 of inch ?

 

8-9" widths are very popular. 10" and wider, people start talking more about potential problems when aired down low - but I can't say that I have actually read any reports here from someone who ran into that. To me, backspace is a much bigger issue than rim width.

Before you complete your order, give Discount Tire Direct a call. They have a list around here somewhere of 15's they guarantee will fit. They should also have a discount for a set of tires, another discount for a set of rims, and another for being a forum member. Then there's the whole price match and free shipping and no tax thing. People have generally found them to be worth a few minutes for a call and price check.

For the coils, are you referring to Metalcloaks 3.5"? How armored up are you? They can give a ton of lift if your rig is fairly light.

 

I figure that I might as well go with the extra .5 of lift since I've read that 35's with a 3 inch lift will rub a little.

I just checked Discount Tire Direct and they don't have the rims I want OR the BGF Wrangler MTRs with Kevlar :(

 

Would running 10.5 wide tires on a stock rim cause any issues?

 

No I don't believe so, I run 305 70 17 BFG KM2's on stock Rubi rims 7.5 wide and no rub on components in rear, up front can still turn steering wheel a bit more than 1.5 times before any chance of rub on front sway bar.

 

Well if you want to overthink it, you should think about if you will be wanting to put reid knuckles or do some sort of high steer or tie rod flip in the future. I don't believe a 15 inch will work in that situation.