...for mounting 33" x 12.50 x 17 (or 16) tires. I told the tech that there are tons of JKs out there running on 8" rims. Anybody familiar with this restriction?

 

Well, he's FOS, but either he is merely repeating what his computer is telling him because he doesn't know, or it's company policy for liability. Either way, ask if they will put them on a 8" wheel, if not, go somewhere else.

 

Some tire shops will not mount a tire on a rim that is wider or narrower than what is in the "manufacturers recommended size" rim range. I am running 16x8's with 315/75R16 tires and have had no problems in about 5 months. Aired down, you are less likely to break the bead with a narrower rim. If they won't do it for liability reasons, there is another tire shop willing to do it for your business elsewhere.

 

Thanks for the quick response nukeman. Yeah, he showed me his book of specs which listed the 8.5" minimum, and said he could not mount the tires on anything smaller because it's "not safe".

Is it indeed unsafe to drive with 33x12.5x17 tires on 17 x 8 rims at speed on the highway? I realize the narrower rims can enhance performance offroad, which I will do at every opportunity, but the Rubi will be my DD as well.

 

It amazes me how often these folks are just plain wrong. BfGoodrich for example lists many tires with an overall diameter from 33 to 35 inches that are acceptable for 8 inch (and up) rim widths.

We have all heard of the guy that is pushing it, running a little skinner wheel for some reason. And typically they report no ill effects. But in this case the tires in question may be listed as acceptable for an 8 inch rim anyway.

bfgoodrichtires (www..com) has a chart for example. Was the spec you saw a spec from the tire company or Costco?

 

I'm sure he's probably quoting the manufacture's recommended minimum width. Some shops are like that. They won't budge.

 

I checked the BFG chart and it indeed shows an 8" rim to be ok. Costco must have shown me their own specs. I'm probably not gonna order from them anyway.
I'm trying to decide on 17x8, 17x9 or 16x8 rims for my Rubicon. The 16x8s I think will yield a slightly more aggressive look and will cost less. Right now I'm leaning towards Pro Comp 8179 16x8 with Dick Cepek Mud Country 33x12.5x16. Feel free to offer opinions. Thanks for all your imput. I'm really new at this stuff.

 

Sears did something similiar to me with a cherokee I had. They said the tires I ordered would not fit on my cherokee and they would not mount them for me. It was a overall size issue, not a rim width issue, but it was all because the computer said they wouldnt fit. My cherokee was lifted and "slightly" trimmed around the wheel wells, but they still insisted "if the computer says it wont fit, then it wont" It didnt even matter to them that they were replacing the same exact size and brand tire with new ones but they wont fit?! Anyway, I got the manager involved and he had me sign something that said its my responsibility if they dont fit and I can not return the tires. They were all stunned when the tires fit perfectly.... idiots.....

and I think a 35 x 12.5 looks and works great on a 16x8 rim

 

i have the 17" X 8 crager wheels running 37 X 12.50's I have had them since January. it is on my DD and has been at highway speeds several times.

 

I'm running 33x12.5's on 7" rims...same tires, about 80,000 miles on them...no problems....and the sets before them, no problems either....and that's on 7" rims....not 8" or even 8.5".