Wheel size.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: Central Texas
Wheel size.
I have been looking at getting new tires and wheels some day. I have the stock 17" Rubicon wheels. I was wondering if 15" would be OK. 
This size seems more common, so prices on both tires and wheels are cheaper. 
Also, there is more sidewall area to soak up the bumps. That could also mean worse handling on the road due to sidewall flexing. Maybe 16's are a happy medium. What do you guys think?
This size seems more common, so prices on both tires and wheels are cheaper. Also, there is more sidewall area to soak up the bumps. That could also mean worse handling on the road due to sidewall flexing. Maybe 16's are a happy medium. What do you guys think?
JK-Forum Founder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 36,534
Likes: 16
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
while some 15" will work, most will not due to the fact that they will not clear your brakes. in fact, some 16" wheels have this problem as well. if you plan on sticking with 33's, 16" wheels will do you just fine but if you plan on going 35's or larger someday, i would recommend going 17's. also, you should try to get a wheel that is 8" in width and one that has 4.5" of backspacing or less.
Thread Starter
JK Super Freak
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: Central Texas
while some 15" will work, most will not due to the fact that they will not clear your brakes. in fact, some 16" wheels have this problem as well. if you plan on sticking with 33's, 16" wheels will do you just fine but if you plan on going 35's or larger someday, i would recommend going 17's. also, you should try to get a wheel that is 8" in width and one that has 4.5" of backspacing or less.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 5
From: Lawrenceville, NJ
Yeah - its a trade off between cost and ON road performance.
The 17's are bloody expensive to replace every time you need tires, but will handle better on road...and when aired down, the larger rim will provide a bit more diff clearance, etc.
As you need either wheel spacers to reduce the BS, or rims with less BS anyway to fit 12.5" section width tires...you're spending money on BS.
The next que is whether to keep the 17's you have, add wheel spacers, and just buy 17" tires...or to replace the whole enchilada with new rims/tires.
Plan B - Get street oriented 17" tires for your current rims, and use the SECOND set for off roading...so you can go load and aggressive to maximize the off road capabilities, and still be able to enjoy the DD.
IE: A second set of Play Tires.
The 17's are bloody expensive to replace every time you need tires, but will handle better on road...and when aired down, the larger rim will provide a bit more diff clearance, etc.
As you need either wheel spacers to reduce the BS, or rims with less BS anyway to fit 12.5" section width tires...you're spending money on BS.
The next que is whether to keep the 17's you have, add wheel spacers, and just buy 17" tires...or to replace the whole enchilada with new rims/tires.
Plan B - Get street oriented 17" tires for your current rims, and use the SECOND set for off roading...so you can go load and aggressive to maximize the off road capabilities, and still be able to enjoy the DD.
IE: A second set of Play Tires.
