I have a question about tire and wheel sizes. I just bought a 2008 Sahara Unlimited on Friday! First time ever owning a Jeep.

I've never really paid all that much attention to wheels and tires in the past. I always just put BF Goodrich A/T's on my pickup truck and never worried too much about it, but anyway...

I've been checking out a lot of these threads and noticing that not many people have 18" wheels. I assume part of this has to do with the fact that most of the jeep models don't come with them. But even the guys (and girls) that purchase new wheels don't seem to be purchasing 18's.

Why is that? Is it a performance or a cosmetic thing?

I guess my question is... What difference does wheel size make if you've got a 33" tire (for example)?

I know this is probably a stupid question, but I haven't been able to find an answer anywhere. Thanks for your help!

P.S. It's metallic green with a soft top and I can't stop driving it

 

Im no expert but i would say bc a smaller rim gives u more tire...u can air down more and allows for better traction offroad...congrats on your new jeep!!!

 

Larger sidewall for better traction and softer ride is the main reason.

Also, tire prices go up as the wheel size gets bigger.

And, for me at least, the larger wheels look to flashy unless you have really big tires on them.

 

And more tire choices.....there are far fewer choices in an 18" tire than say a 15, 16 or 17.....lots of the 18's are E class as well, giving a stiffer ride.

 

As said above...


There are WAY more tire choices available for smaller rim widths AND the tires for 18 inch and higher rim widths cost WAY more money.

Now the answer is in one simple statement.

 

Thanks for the input. Makes perfect sense.

Follow up question... Do all JK's have the same lug mounting pattern?

 

yes, 5x5.5.

 

5X5 bolt pattern.

 

Yes they do. It's different then other Wranglers of other years. It is the same as some other Jeep vehicles... such as ...

1999-2004 Grand Cherokee WJ
2005-Current Grand Cherokee WK
2006-Current Commander XK

and maybe others.

I believe it's 5x5.