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20" vs 17" Wheels

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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 08:43 PM
  #1  
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Default 20" vs 17" Wheels

I have been reading this board for a while and just joined and I am trying to learn what I can. However, I have not seen anyone running 20” wheels. I just ordered a set of 17” wheels but I am starting to wonder if I should have ordered 20” instead. I will be putting on 315/70R17 BFG KO. On the dealer lots I am seeing quite a few 4 door Unlimited vehicles with 20" wheels and tires. I have to admit they do look good.
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 09:03 PM
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20 inch wheels? not only would the wheels be ridiculously expensive, but so would the tires. also, they aren't practical for offroad use (or at least not the kind i do) . i also don't think 20s look proportional unless the tires are 40"+
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 09:04 PM
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No, do not get 20" wheels. You want more tire, less wheel, so when you air down you have more give in your tire. I have the Sahara 18" wheels and will be going to 17"s when I can afford it.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 01:30 AM
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Yeah, if you plan to off-road your Jeep, I wouldn't recommend the 20's, especially with the 315's you're going to run.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 03:52 AM
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Originally Posted by 08 Unlimited
... I am starting to wonder if I should have ordered 20” instead. ...
If you're into looks and mall crawling, then maybe 20s are what you want. There aren't many admitted mall crawlers on JK-Forum, however, so don't expect to get a lot of support for that idea. Actually, I think mall crawling is more of a Hummer thing (though there are Hummer owners who are real off-roaders). If you're really into off-road, rather than "the look", don't get 20s for the performance reasons previously stated.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 04:02 AM
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Default Don't do it....

I have ION 20x9.0 with Mickey Thompson Baha ATZ 35x13.50R20. The dealer had put them on and at the time I didn't know any better. They do look nice but I cannot air down below about 15 psi and they do cost way too much about $650 for a tire and wheel. I am saving up for some KMC XD 122 Enduros 16x10 and some Nitto Mud Grapplers 35x14.50xR16 for mudding and rocks and use these as my DD's until they wear out and replace them with something else. They do ride very nice on the hwy....

Pete

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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 05:56 AM
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Originally Posted by TiredPete
They do look nice but I cannot air down below about 15 psi and they do cost way too much about $650 for a tire and wheel.
Your 20s are probably more than that. My 17" wheel/tire were $625 at each corner. Those steps will hurt your offroad capability waay more than those 20s ever will.

Last edited by kntr; Mar 31, 2008 at 06:00 AM.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 06:07 AM
  #8  
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Default Look great but....

They look great with the 37" Pit Bull tires! I have seen this JK in person, the wheels are beat to hell from mild off-roading. This one is a showpiece for the 4ws shop, with a hemi conversion, so it does mostly road/show circuit duty.

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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 07:14 AM
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Socks on a rooster, if you get my drift.........
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 08:32 AM
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There's a 5-6 page thread on jeepforums I started about this. Seems 98% of Jeep owners frown on 20s.
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