I have been doing some thinking here. I like my factory wheels well enough to keep them and get spacers. But I got to thinking about how much spacers for my wheels would cost vs how much new wheel and tires would cost.

To my understanding from my research I have two choices.

Factory Rubicon Wheels and Spacers
Tire size would be 35x12.5R17
Spacer would be 1.5" Spidertrax

Tire Price + Spacer Price = Cost A

or

Aftermarket 15" Wheels and Tires
Tire size would be 35x12.5R15
Wheel properlly backspaced

Tire Price + Wheel Price = Cost B

From what I can gather the R15 tires are actually cheaper than the R17's. I'm wondering if the price diffrence between the two would be enough to validate buying new wheels as opposed to spacers. I know it would depend on the wheels I buy, so lets say budget $150 per wheel. What do you guys think?

 

Spacers are going to run you $200 for the set of four (unless you find some used), so that plus whatever tire you choose vs. tire/aftermarket wheel combo you decide on...but you already knew that.

 

Crager soft 8's x4 with center caps and BFG MT's or AT's will run you just shy of 900.00 from Summit racing. 315x70x17 BFG AT/MT's will run you about 250/tire plus shipping and mounting, Plus 200 bucks for spacers. Now add 100.00 for the spare tire adapter and the cost of a 5th wheel spare. If you are looking new, then it's about 200 cheaper for new wheels/tires (depending on the wheels. You can get some macked wheels for the price of new tires for your factory rims.

Now option #2...BFG AT's 315/70/17's are factory tires off the Hummer H2. If you look around you, you should find a set of those pretty cheap, depending on condition. I went to a used tire shop and got them at 50/tire mounted. The best tread is about 60% though...for those prices I will get two new (used) tires every year.

My 2c.

 

I like the factory 5 star Rubi wheels so decided to keep my wheels when I upsize the tires. No sense discarding 5 perfectly good wheels and selling them for pennies on the dollar when they will work great with 35s. Slap on some 1.5" spidertrax spacers and you are set.

 

Food for thought: what are you going to be doing with your JK?

I like the stock wheels myself as well, but after wheeling on the rocks a few times I had real bad rock rash. The stock wheels just don't lend themselves to well to that. A cheap set of steelies don't take a beating like the stock wheels do since they have a lower backspacing.

 

Say 90% street, 10% trail. I'm not building my rig super agressive.

 

I very nearly did exactly that with one wrinkle, add the Staun internal beadlocks. I did end up spending big money and getting the Hutchinsons, but to me, there isn't a better looking rim than the ones that come on the Rubicons.
Add the Stauns and nothing will perform any better either!
I'll get a set of KM2s or MTRs and Stauns for my Rubicon rims in the future as a backup to the Toyo/Hutchinsons.

 

I got spacers so I could put money elsewhere in the jeep. They have held up well with lots of abuse. Eventually, when the wife allows it? I can get the wheels I want.

 

if u plan on going any bigger than 35s on 17 i suggest u get the 15s now when the tires will be cheaper
if u go with the 17 ure basically payin 4 37s on 15 jsut a thought

 

I just went through this decision. Spacers are much cheaper than full blown wheels, but I knew I was going to get new wheels within the next 2 years so I went ahead an bit the bullet.

I think it depends on how important the wheels are to you.