Is there any big difference between these two sizes (285/65R18 and 275/70R18) - other than the centimeter difference in width? I installed my Spydertrax spacers today and am pretty confident that it's time to order tires to mount on my OEM 18 x 7.5" Sahara wheels. I can't imagine there would be a huge difference in rubbing between the two as the 1 centimeter is basically 5mm on either side of the tire's center line. Still, I've missed obvious stuff before... Would the 65 aspect ratio give a stiffer ride than the 70 series or is that kind of an academic argument as the two sizes are so close in size? I'll add that where I park I really have to crank the wheel from lock to lock to back in so rubbing would be a daily concern for me. I don't plan to lift it anytime soon as I am looking at buying a house this spring. The tire brand I'm considering most strongly right now is the Nitto Terra Grappler.
Thanks,
Dave

 

285/65r18 will be about 11.2in wide and 32.5in tall, 275/70r18 will be about 10.8in wide and 33 inches tall. The only real issue is that the recommended minimum rim width on a 285/65r18 is 8in and the tire shop may not mount them..

 

Ahhh. See, I hadn't thought about that. Good show.

 

Check this link out. It was a great help to me when I was deciding on what to run when changing my wife's wheel / tire set up on her 05 Escape. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Hope it helps.

 

Best link EVAR: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=tirecalc&aq=f&oq=

First one - Miata.net..

 

Thanks for the links folks. Here's one in return that will do your gear ratio differences as well...

http://www.dakota-truck.net/TIRECALC/tirecalc.html

Anyone have a subjective opinion based on experience on why they prefer one size over another? They are pretty much the same on paper and cost-wise.

 

Well, I located some Rubicon 17" x 7.5" rims. Guess it will be either 285 or 275's on 17" rims instead of 18" - a little bit less pricey, and the new BFG MT2's may be an option now too.