(2009 JKU) Planning to go to 35's using my current 17" Blackrock 900b's. Should I consider dropping down wheel size to 16" or less or stay on course?

 

I like 17's, but tires are much more affordable and look bigger on smaller 15/16's

 

I would say 17's. Sure you can go smaller, but if you wheel your rig, it's best to go with a more common rim. For example, we were at barnwell mountain jn TX and a buddy of mine popped a bead on his beadlocks and ended up taking a 1" chunk out of the rim. We called and went all over town locally and could not find a replacement 15" rim that did not have to be ordered so we could get him home as planned. We were able to find a local welder who welded up the aluminum rim so well that it held air in the tire, but we wasted an entire day looking for a replacement wheel when everywhere had common sizes and did not have to order. IMO, if you wheel your rig and travel or go to remote places, your way better off with a common wheel size if something was to happen.

 

Tires for 16" and 15" rims are getting harder to find, so you will have more options in the future if you stick with 17's.

I recently moved up to 37's for my 16" rims, and found only 5 tires to choose from. (after eliminating the directional, bias, and over $400+ per tire options, I was left with a choice between the falken wildpeak and bfg km2...)

 

Thanks all for the recommendations!

 

I have 16s at the moment and cannot wait for these tires to wear out; planning on going down to 15s and getting a set of BFG 35x12.5x15 AT KOs or KM2s. I am doing this because I do not plan on going over 35s and tires are over $100 cheaper per tire when comparing the same tire in a 15 vs 17 inch rim.

Check out discount tire, they are a sponsor on here and can provide great advise for you. My is if you plan on going up to 37s eventually go ahead and go with 17s since the tire selection for 37s with 15 or 16s is VERY slim.

 

I have 15" wheels with 35"km2s. I went this route because of the huge savings in tires. It is quite significant. Yes, the tire options are limited when running a 15" wheel but there are still good options. I like my km2s a lot! I also like the look of the big sidewall tire with small wheel.



As for the go with a common wheel argument...wouldn't having a spare solve that? The money you save in running a 15" wheel, you could afford a spare.

Look around and see what you like best and what fits your budget the best. After all, it is your jeep and you are the one that has to be happy with it.

 

Posted this before but..
My 35x12.50x15s




A small rock got caught between the wheel and caliper housing, broke both bolts that hold the caliper housing on and folded that dust cover into a fine mess. Was stranded for a few hours 30 miles from nowhere until I.rigged myself up to limp home. Love the look and cost of my 15s but when these wear out ill be going another route

 

Seventeens

 

I would stick with 17's. More tire choices.