...if I have 17" wheels on my Jeep and I put on 16" wheels, going from say 32" tires to 32" tires, wil I lose or gain any over all axle height.

Thanks

 

1/2" loss would be my guess ... 1" smaller wheels with same tire size. ???

 

I believe it depends on the measurements. If they are metric tire sizes say 285 70 17... The first number represents the millimeters wide the tire tread is. The second number is the sidewall or distance from wheel to tread by percentage. In this case, the measurement of the sidewall is 70% of 285 mm's. 17 is wheel size.
So, each tire is going to be different based on measurement. A 285 70 17 will be different than a 285 70 15.
If it's standard then I believe the 32 would be the measurement regardless just keep in mind that a 32 is usually anywhere from 31.4" to 32"
Hope this helps and doesn't confuse?

 

It all depends on the tire. Even tires of the same "size" can vary over an inch in height. These are usually listed on the tire manufacturers' web site. So without knowing the before and after tires, we can't determine if there will be an overall height difference.

 

That's right, I was just trying to give him an idea how to check himself. Good call on manufacturers websites. A lot of people don't know how different tires can be. It can be both confusing an disappointing.

 

Thanks for the replies folks. Lets take the variable of differences in tires and assume(for this purpose) that the tires have the exact overall height. WHat does changing the whell size do?

Thanks

 

It would change the sidewall height. The measurement from wheel to tread.

 

The rim diameter is totally irrelevant.

 

No change in axel height in your theoretical question.

 

Exactly..... Thank you!! That sums it up.