Jake_Blues

The tires he's proposing are 2" (255 vs 305) narrower than yours, and the same width as the stock Rubi tires, so I would be shocked if they rubbed anything with the possible exception of the air dam at full steering lock. However, he might bump the fender due to the increase in diameter unless he lifts it.

-E

Maxcustody

Are 255's a skinnier tire, maybe I am looking at the wrong tire I want a 33 that iswider and fills out the wheel weel nicely.

Maxcustody

The more I talk to the wife about it, we should just lift it as well and go with the 33's , I think that would look and perform well for what we are looking to do. If I go with the 3.5 sky jacker, what 33 inch tire and wheel combo should I go with and what BS would I need? Thanks again

doojer

I could be wrong (maybe someone can post pics), but I think that 3.5 inches is going to make those 33"s look kind of small. My Sahara came stock with 32"s... you're looking to go only an inch bigger but 3.5 inches higher. If I was lifting it, I'd go 2-2.5 with 33"s or 3-4 with 35"s.

Just my humble opinion, of course!

Here's a grab from INLO's gallery of 35"s on a 3" lift:

Jake_Blues

When reading a tire's size in metric sizes (255/85R16 for example):

The first number, 255, is the width of the tread in millimeters (255mm is 10 inches). This is also called section width.

The second number, 85, is the aspect ratio. This is a percentage of how high the sidewall is compared to the tread width. So in this case, the sidewall is 85% of the tread width (217mm or 8.5 inches)

The third number, 16, is the diameter of the rim this tire is designed to fit (in inches, which is crazy since it's supposed to be a metric tire size).


To convert a metric tire size to a light truck tire size, you need to do a little math:

Take the first number and multiply by the second number divided by 100. This gives you the height of one sidewall. Divide by 25.4 to convert to inches. Multiply by 2 to get the height of both sidewalls. Now add the diameter of the wheel it will ride on to get the total diameter.

So, you get 8.5 + 16 + 8.5 = 33 inches in diameter.

The width of the tire is simply the first number divided by 25.4 to convert to inches:

255 / 25.4 = 10

The R16 part is the same for both. So a 255/85R16 is the same as a 33x10R16.

If you want a tire that is wider, you have to make sure you pick a new aspect ratio to keep the overall diameter the same.

Some 33" tires for a 16" wheel would be:

255/85R16 = 33x10R16
285/75R16 = 33x11R16
305/70R16 = 33x12R16

Notice how the aspect ratio decreases as the section width increases in order to maintain the same overall diameter.

-E

Maxcustody

Thanks Jake, now I understand a little better. I looked at a black lifted unlimited that posted he has 315 70r16. That would be a 12 inch wide tire, correct? but sorry if I am an idiot but is 315 still a 33 or is that a 35?

alxnlgn

that is a 33.4" tire...there is a good page that measures tire size and compairs different sizes for you http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

I just order a teraflex 3" and 33's i hope and think that it will look good 35" look great but still a bit big for my taste i think...i have gone back and forth also...but i do alot of highway durring the week and i think the 33" is a better choice...i'm going to get the cooper stt, i have heard really good things about them

FRDesign

32's are the size of the stock tires...

Renegade

3" might be a little much for 33's even. My 3" Teraflex kit netted me 4" at the front flare and 3" at the rear. I had been considering the 2.5" kit with 33's before being persuaded to go bigger.

Maxcustody

Thanks guy's for all the replies this is a great site. I think I will go with the 33's and the 2.5 inch lift, but that may change 25 more times before the night is thru. I have been looking at many sites for sales on wheels and tires plus lifts, any suggestions there? Thanks again, I really appreciate all the help.