11.5" D or 12.5" E Tire for 17x9 Wheel on 2 Door?
 

I have decided on a wheel and tire but I have a choice on the tire size and need some help. I have a 2-door red rock JK.

I am getting the Dick Cepek DC-2s (17x9 24 lbs 4-1/2" BS -12mm offset) and the Pro Comp Xtreme A/T.

The Pro Comp Xtreme A/Ts are offered in a 285/70/17 load rating D and in a 305/65/17 load rating E.

My initial choice is the D rated tire (8 ply) which is stated as having a 11.5" width. My concern is if this is too narrow for the 9" wheel. I currently have this tire on order but I have a week before it is in so I can still change.

Should I choose the E rated tire which is stated to have a 12.5" width which is what I would prefer with the exception of the E load rating (10 ply)? :dontknow2:

The majority of my driving will be on the highway as it is my DD (which is why I chose the A/T) but will occassionally do some offroad trails (nothing extreme). I'm staying with the 33" tire. Just the width is the only thing I am concerned with.

These are the only 2 pics of mine that I could find with the 33x11.5 tire on a 17x9" wheel.
As you can see, there's certainly not much tire out to the side, but it looks fine.
I would add that I would not want an "E" rated tire on a light weight vehicle like the JK.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...IMG_0212-1.jpg

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...G_0564-1-2.jpg

Continuation of the E rated Myth. There are plenty of C rated tires that are within 100 lbs of the tire mentioned and also plenty of D rated tires that have a heavier max load.

You don't think an E rated tire has a significantly stiffer sidewall than a C rated?

I am having trouble understanding the load ratings. I have read the posts which indicate maybe it doesn't matter but if it doesn't why even have the load ratings? :dontknow2:

If it is a significantly rougher ride then I will opt for the lower load ratings. I have never experimented with this and it is an expensive experiment so I'm hoping some good advice will solve this dilemma! :wink:

Out of these two options I would go with the 12.5" wide tire, even though its E load, and just run it at a lower PSI... but thats just me.

I have the e rated tires (actually xtreme MT 315's). I honestly dont think it was noticeable at all when I switched from stock to the E rating. I noticed a bigger difference in ride when switching from RC suspension to TF (TF being better!)
Hope this helps! wish you were closer I am gettin ready to sell mine with only 2500 miles!

That's because it's an extremely dated rating system, and ratings can be all over the place for large flotation tires such as what most in this forum are looking for.

Thanks zoeydad for the pics!!!!

I looked at the Pro Comp ratings (they don't have the 285/70/17 tire listed yet) and the E rated 305/65/17 has the following ratings:

Load Range E
Max Load 3195
Tread Depth 20/32
Overall Diameter 32.6 Inches
Black SideWall
Sidewall Construction= 2-Ply

The D rated tires were typically rated in the 3000 lb load range and up. Doesn't seem like much of a difference if any.

The thing is if the load rating doesn't mean anything then what should I be looking at to choose my tire? :dontknow2:

PS - Dog Doc why are you going to sell your tires?

Well...! You probably dont want to hear this but... I want 35's!!! I should have listened to everybody! I was one that was truly thinking 33's would be more than adequate, but it only took a couple thousand miles on brand new tires and I am already wanting more!
One other thing to consider regarding Procomp's... They are freakin heavy in comparison to others. My tires(M/T) work great, with my only off road experience being mud as of yet, but it really changed the way the jeep drove, even only being "33's". It is a dog now and I only get 12-13 mpg!!