New wheels
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, CO
New wheels
Hey all, I'm new here. And I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but hopefully the answer is straightforward. I've looked around on the internet and have conflicting answers.
So, I've got a 2007 Unlimited X with stock wheels and tires. I've been trolling Craigslist for new wheels and/or tires. I'd like to keep my current wheels and tires and just by a new set of 5. I'd like to go up to 33" or 35" (I've measured -- with the new fenders I've put on I've got room).
So... what would be the best size wheels to buy to add larger tires? This is a project vehicle that I don't put many miles on, so I'm interested in minimizing cost by buying used. There's a lot of good Jeep resources here in Colorado Springs... I'm just not up on wheel/tire sizes and what would be best for the Jeep.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!
So, I've got a 2007 Unlimited X with stock wheels and tires. I've been trolling Craigslist for new wheels and/or tires. I'd like to keep my current wheels and tires and just by a new set of 5. I'd like to go up to 33" or 35" (I've measured -- with the new fenders I've put on I've got room).
So... what would be the best size wheels to buy to add larger tires? This is a project vehicle that I don't put many miles on, so I'm interested in minimizing cost by buying used. There's a lot of good Jeep resources here in Colorado Springs... I'm just not up on wheel/tire sizes and what would be best for the Jeep.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
Hey all, I'm new here. And I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but hopefully the answer is straightforward. I've looked around on the internet and have conflicting answers. So, I've got a 2007 Unlimited X with stock wheels and tires. I've been trolling Craigslist for new wheels and/or tires. I'd like to keep my current wheels and tires and just by a new set of 5. I'd like to go up to 33" or 35" (I've measured -- with the new fenders I've put on I've got room). So... what would be the best size wheels to buy to add larger tires? This is a project vehicle that I don't put many miles on, so I'm interested in minimizing cost by buying used. There's a lot of good Jeep resources here in Colorado Springs... I'm just not up on wheel/tire sizes and what would be best for the Jeep. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
17" rims will probably get you the best selection of tires moving forward, and better fitment for aftermarket parts. 16's will work, but they don't have the same tire selection, especially when looking at larger sizes. 15's are an option, but you need to do some research and get a very low backspace to avoid rubbing the calipers. 15's and 16's can also have clearance issues with aftermarket rod ends and brake kits. A rim width in the 8"-9" range is fairly popular. All JK's use a 5x5 (5x127) bolt pattern.
Lower backspace numbers move the tire/rim further out of the wheel wells. Stock backspace is around 6.25", a 4.5" backspace is a common recommendation for 35x12.50 tires. Actual tire sizes and individual wants/needs/builds can vary quite a bit, so there is no one size fits all answer to what is best.
So a good place to start might be a 17x8 or 17x9 rim with a 5x5 bolt pattern and a 4.5" backspace.
And if you haven't found them yet, there is some good info in both of the threads stuck right to the top of this modified area...
Which shop are you using in the Springs?
Lower backspace numbers move the tire/rim further out of the wheel wells. Stock backspace is around 6.25", a 4.5" backspace is a common recommendation for 35x12.50 tires. Actual tire sizes and individual wants/needs/builds can vary quite a bit, so there is no one size fits all answer to what is best.
So a good place to start might be a 17x8 or 17x9 rim with a 5x5 bolt pattern and a 4.5" backspace.
And if you haven't found them yet, there is some good info in both of the threads stuck right to the top of this modified area...
Which shop are you using in the Springs?
Last edited by nthinuf; Jan 6, 2015 at 09:49 PM.