Ok, This is it. I've read all the posts on tires, wheels and lifts. This weekend its finally time to pull the trigger on new tires. I've already decided on duratracs. But i'm still torn on what size I want. Should I go 315/75/17 or 285/70/17. Price is fairly close for both. The 285/70/17s only seem to come in white lettered sidewall and i'm pretty sure I want black letters.

So which duratracks would you go for if you were me? and does anybody know where to get a good deal on them?

 

Duratracs are white wall on one side and black on the other. The 315's will rub if your using stock rims so you will need spacers. If you get spaces get good (name brand) hub-centric spacers and use lock-tite.

 

You give no information on year/model/engine/transmission/current gears/future gears/lift size/flares/use/needs/location/rim backspace/etc/etc, but you want us to give feedback on which tire size to get...

 

Sorry, I was just hoping everyone would tell me to get the bigger ones and I would listen lol.

I have a 2011 2dr 6sd. 321 gears. I'll be getting quadratec moab wheels and from what I understand backspacing will not be an issue with them. If I go with the 315/75/17s I will get a lift. I'm not sure I need one with the 285/70/17 and aftermarket wheels. But I like the look of a lifted jeep better. It will be my daily driver and I live in jersey so offroad terrain is mostly mud/sand with the occasional trip to the PA mountains. I don't offroad a lot and I want good on road performance. That's why I want to go with the duratracs.

I'm assuming duratracs are directional because quadratec sells them either with white letters or black. White letters seam to be cheaper.

I really want to go with the bigger ones. I'm just a bit worried about gearing. Not so much for on road because I drive slow anyway but offroad. More worried about sandy situaions with the bigger tire. Gearing may be down the road at some point but I am hoping I can live with it for a while.

 

I assume you mean 315/70R17. I bought a 2012 jk w/6 speed a couple of months ago that had this size tire on it with a 2-1/2" RC bb lift on it. I love the way this looks and rides. I hated the 3.21 gears that were still in it. 6th gear was useless. I could smell the clutch getting hot when trying to start on an uphill grade. Within 2 weeks of trying to drive this, I ordered 4.56 gears. Very happy now. If I were you, I'd plan on doing the same if you decide on this size tire. I'm sure they'll be a lot of guys jump on here and tell you how they've been driving this size without changing gears and how happy they are. They're lying. Good luck!

 

Yep badeye, you are right. 315/70/17. Im worried I will feel the same as you. But I do think the duratracs run small and are light so that may make a difference. Not sure how much different the 285/70/17 would be.

 

I would not even consider the 315's with the 3.21 gears. Duratracs are not directional so you can put the white letters on the inside. Based on your setup and driving pattern, I would suggest the 285's.

 

Oh come on! Where are all the people that say I will regret not getting the 315s? I guess they are all too busy putting gears in their jeeps lol. Unfortunately (because I really want the 315s) I think you guys are right. I'll probably pull the trigger today on the 285s. Thanks for talking me down off the ledge.

 

Too bad more tire manufacturers don't make a 295 like Nitto. I've got them (295/70/17) on my 2011 JKU. I've got 3.73 gears, though, but with the auto. They measure just under 34". I've got 55,000 miles on them. I'll get them again this summer.

 

Well I did it. just ordered the 285s. The burning clutch comment really made the difference for me. I'm already a bit worried about my clutch because 2nd gear gets a little weird sometimes. I'm not looking to cause too many problems down the road. Another reason I went 285 is because I can put them on without a lift because im getting aftermarket wheels. I still want a lift but I need to save up for it. So now I don't have to wait to put the tires on and I think drivability will be better. So next week I buy my wheels and soon I will be riding in style.