Need help understanding tire sizing and type...for my intended use of them
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 78
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From: CT
Need help understanding tire sizing and type...for my intended use of them
Hi All! And yes, I have been doing some reading and re/searching prior to posting this across many forums.
What I have on: 2011 JKU Sahara with 255/70-18 Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires
What I have in a box: 4x Spidertrax 1.5" wheel spacers and a Rock Krawler JK 1.75 Budget Based L.T. System
What my intent WAS: to move to 33s when I need new rubber, which is soon...
What my reason is: so that I could gain a little more ground clearance for rutted farm and fire roads that I hunt and fish off of (haven't gotten hung up yet), to start summer weekend beach cruising, and for a more aggressive look. No intent on true rock crawling.
BUT...now I am having second thoughts about a budge lift and spacers. Trying to decide if I want to use them, or remain stock. So my questions are:
1. What size tires can I move up to without worrying about rubbing?
1a. 275/65-18 (not a change in diameter, but an increase in section width and a decrease in sidewall heigh)? I assume wider is better for sand and general off road. But what is the shorter sidewall going to do for/against me? Is a 275/65 on stock 18" wheels without spacers or lift going to rub on full turn?
1b. 265/70-18 - little taller (1/2"), little wider than stock? Is this a good compromise for no lift/level kit, no spacers, no rubbing?
1c. 275/70-18 - now up to 33? I understand that I will need both the spacers and lift to avoid rubbing, anyone's thoughts differ?
2. For a daily driver, that seconds as a weekend hunting/fishing vehicle, and summers on the beach, I do believe I want an A/T type tire versus a M/T, thoughts? And based on what I've read, I think I have narrowed it down to these, what are your thoughts on them for my intentions and what size based on what I wrote above?
2a. BFG T/A KO?
2b. Cooper Discover ATP?
2c. Falken Wild Peak A/T?
2d. General Grabber A/T2?
2e. GY Duratrac?
2f. Nitto Terra Grappler A/T?
3. At what point do I want to consider LT (or E rated) tires? No towing here other, than a 800# sailboat form time to time.
Thank you in advance!
What I have on: 2011 JKU Sahara with 255/70-18 Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires
What I have in a box: 4x Spidertrax 1.5" wheel spacers and a Rock Krawler JK 1.75 Budget Based L.T. System
What my intent WAS: to move to 33s when I need new rubber, which is soon...
What my reason is: so that I could gain a little more ground clearance for rutted farm and fire roads that I hunt and fish off of (haven't gotten hung up yet), to start summer weekend beach cruising, and for a more aggressive look. No intent on true rock crawling.
BUT...now I am having second thoughts about a budge lift and spacers. Trying to decide if I want to use them, or remain stock. So my questions are:
1. What size tires can I move up to without worrying about rubbing?
1a. 275/65-18 (not a change in diameter, but an increase in section width and a decrease in sidewall heigh)? I assume wider is better for sand and general off road. But what is the shorter sidewall going to do for/against me? Is a 275/65 on stock 18" wheels without spacers or lift going to rub on full turn?
1b. 265/70-18 - little taller (1/2"), little wider than stock? Is this a good compromise for no lift/level kit, no spacers, no rubbing?
1c. 275/70-18 - now up to 33? I understand that I will need both the spacers and lift to avoid rubbing, anyone's thoughts differ?
2. For a daily driver, that seconds as a weekend hunting/fishing vehicle, and summers on the beach, I do believe I want an A/T type tire versus a M/T, thoughts? And based on what I've read, I think I have narrowed it down to these, what are your thoughts on them for my intentions and what size based on what I wrote above?
2a. BFG T/A KO?
2b. Cooper Discover ATP?
2c. Falken Wild Peak A/T?
2d. General Grabber A/T2?
2e. GY Duratrac?
2f. Nitto Terra Grappler A/T?
3. At what point do I want to consider LT (or E rated) tires? No towing here other, than a 800# sailboat form time to time.
Thank you in advance!
Last edited by fishrising; Feb 10, 2014 at 07:51 AM.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: CT
Need help understanding tire sizing and type...for my intended use of them
I guess my real question is how much larger of a tire can I go on stock 18" wheels before I start rubbing and need spacers / lift?
What I'm trying to determine is, if I go 32.6 or 33.1, whether in a 265 or 275, can I get away without wheel spacers and no lift? Which it is sounding like I can. But secondly, if I install my 1.75" RK LT BB, can I still get away without wheel spacers?
What I'm trying to determine is, if I go 32.6 or 33.1, whether in a 265 or 275, can I get away without wheel spacers and no lift? Which it is sounding like I can. But secondly, if I install my 1.75" RK LT BB, can I still get away without wheel spacers?
Last edited by fishrising; Feb 12, 2014 at 08:52 AM.
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Manchester, MD
Let me see if I can help a little....
You could fit either tire with either the spacers or lift or neither. Your OEM tire is roughly 32X10X18 the 275X70X18 comes out to roughly 33X11X18. That 1 inch in each direction can be corrected by the lift and/or spacers. Basically the lift is offsetting the extra height and the spacers the extra width.
Personally IMHO I would use both. It will give you a taller and wider look. It will help with ground clearance and aesthetics. However, to answer you question you could just mount the tire and be OK.
You could fit either tire with either the spacers or lift or neither. Your OEM tire is roughly 32X10X18 the 275X70X18 comes out to roughly 33X11X18. That 1 inch in each direction can be corrected by the lift and/or spacers. Basically the lift is offsetting the extra height and the spacers the extra width.
Personally IMHO I would use both. It will give you a taller and wider look. It will help with ground clearance and aesthetics. However, to answer you question you could just mount the tire and be OK.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 2
From: Grosse Pointe, MI
If you put them on stock, worst case is you rub the front air dam. Good news is, you just have to go off road once and the air dam has an auto release feature.
As a side note, your fenders also come with a quick detach feature when trail riding. Just stay close to the trees on the side you want the fenders released.
As a side note, your fenders also come with a quick detach feature when trail riding. Just stay close to the trees on the side you want the fenders released.