Weight or size
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: theodore,al
A perfectly balanced tire will cause no damage period, as all forces are in balance with another. However, in practice it is incredibly more difficult to balance a heavier tire. Also, the machines they use to balance the tires aren't, and can't be exactly precise.. They don't go freeway speeds, they don't place the weight, a human does, and they also can't stop weighs from falling and imbalancing everything. However, none of that changes the fact that regardless of weight, the larger tire will always put it's same strain on the axle every time.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 11
From: Olympia, WA
As was just discussed on another thread here, a few pounds one way or another isn't going to make a lot of difference.
BUT - going from a 35 pound 30" stock tire to a 70 pound 37" tire will make a big difference for a few reasons:
If all you wanna do is pose around town with your big tires, a D30 will probably give good service for a long time. To rough it on the trail, a D30 will be fine for a while but it won't have a very long life.
BUT - going from a 35 pound 30" stock tire to a 70 pound 37" tire will make a big difference for a few reasons:
- The larger size has more leverage over the axle when there are big lateral forces when you deal with big rocks off road or hit a curb while on road.
- The weight puts more strain on the spline and on the ring/pinion during acceleration. Don't kid yourself that the engine doesn't have enough power to damage things when in low range and first gear.
- That big tire also needs more stopping power than a brake designed for stock tires that max out at 32" and 48 pounds can deliver. Plan on longer stopping distances and more frequent brake rebuilds.
If all you wanna do is pose around town with your big tires, a D30 will probably give good service for a long time. To rough it on the trail, a D30 will be fine for a while but it won't have a very long life.
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by EsByrd
weight is a large factor when starting and stopping, it doesnt matter how well its balanced. u are right tho when it comes to perfectly balanced rotation does no damage beside centripetal force which tire companies figure into their tires already. thats why u have speed ratings
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Agreed. Weight can have an effect on starting an stopping... But starting and stopping isn't what's gonna break a d30. It's the torture that torque is going to applying while climbing up a big ass rock. And in that situation, the size, not the weight, is going to be the bigger factor.