Just bought 2dr Sport, 6spd, plan to put 2.5"TF Coil Lift on and planned on buying
17" MOAB wheels. My BIL has 18" Sahara wheels he wants to sell me but I really had planned on 17" wheels with this setup. I know I will need 1.5" spacers. I plan on running 35" BFG KM2's, Will I run into any additional problems or costs by going with the 18s over the 17s? Thanks.

 

I was wondering the width of these rims earlier today

 

18" wheels = expensive tires. scale down. i'm selling my rockstars to go to 16"s so i can justify 35's.

example, up here (canada) the 33's for the 18" wheels cost more than
$100/tire MORE for 35's on a 16" wheel. 35's for the 18" wheel, forgetaboutit.

get a smaller diameter wheel, it'll save you tonnes of bread in the longrun.

side note, wanna buy my 18"s? hahaha!!!!

 

Definitely want to see the beef under there

 

I agree with above. Smaller wheel is better, and will give you more tire cushion.
The larger the wheel diameter, the more expensive the tire.
I would never get larger than 17", which I have now. If I get aftermarket wheel later, I'm going to 16".
Sahara models are equipped for aesthetics, so they put 18" wheels. They aren't the best size for offroading.

 

I saw somewhere on the forum a post about wheel size, tire ratio. If I remember correctly the thread mentioned that the wheel/tire size ratio of stock rubicon is the same ratio of 20" wheels with 35" tires. I have 20" wheels on my with 35's and I love the look, granted I don't wheel every weekend, and it is my DD, but I get compliments often on the look of the wheels and tires. I have taken them in the mud and some light rock climbing...and no problems either.

To each their own though right???

 

I never understood why a tire of the same size (35x12.50 18 vs. 35x12.50 15) albeit for a larger diameter wheel, costs more.... I mean there's less rubber there theoretically so why the big friggin price jump?

 

Oh, and for the record, I think the 18's look just right with 35's.

 

The ratio is not the important issue, its about sidewall height, and ability to conform to the terrain, wrap rocks, increase contact patch, etc.

For the same diameter tire, the larger rims have less sidewall.

For the same size tire, the larger rim will not air down as far.

 

Just like most things on JK, it just depends on how you want to bias its performance for the road or off road.

Tall sidewalls have been standard off road for a long time, but many of the rules of thumb that exist were developed before the newer generation of radials existed. These tires flex much better due to ply layout and the materials used than tires of 10-15 years ago.

Really tall sidewalls (10-12") also can provide sloppy handling on the road unless they have high load rating and/or high air pressure, if that matters to you.

!8" tires are definitely more expensive than their 16-17" counterparts, so I would not switch unless you are getting a great deal on both 18" wheels and tires.