Whats wrong with 18" wheels?
Guest
Posts: n/a
The P means it is a Passenger car tire - (in practical terms these days, it's applicable to tires for passenger-carrying vehicles like SUVs as well).
P-metric tires are generally for vehicles in the 1/4 ton to 1/2 ton range.
LT-metric tires are for 3/4 ton and 1 ton vehicles.
P-metric tires are generally for vehicles in the 1/4 ton to 1/2 ton range.
LT-metric tires are for 3/4 ton and 1 ton vehicles.
JK Freak
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg, Va
To elaborate on what he is saying:
The 18" rims come with P255/70R18 tires and the 17" rims come with P255/75R17 tires. The aspect ratios (the number after the "/") of 70 and 75 make the tires overall OD the same. This is why a few of us were saying "Less rim and more rubber".
If somebody out there doesn't understand this, the section width is written as 255. The "P" means the following number is a P-metric size. So, 255=255 millimeters across the widest points from the tires outer sidewall to the widest point on the inner sidewall. These points are set by the manufacturer and are a total mystery to me. 75 means the sidewall is 75% of the section width. In this case, it is 7.5". On the 18" rim, the sidewall is 7". This makes the OD of each tire dang near the same.
Maybe my example in standard units was too simple?
The 18" rims come with P255/70R18 tires and the 17" rims come with P255/75R17 tires. The aspect ratios (the number after the "/") of 70 and 75 make the tires overall OD the same. This is why a few of us were saying "Less rim and more rubber".
If somebody out there doesn't understand this, the section width is written as 255. The "P" means the following number is a P-metric size. So, 255=255 millimeters across the widest points from the tires outer sidewall to the widest point on the inner sidewall. These points are set by the manufacturer and are a total mystery to me. 75 means the sidewall is 75% of the section width. In this case, it is 7.5". On the 18" rim, the sidewall is 7". This makes the OD of each tire dang near the same.
Maybe my example in standard units was too simple?
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Charlottesville, Va
Your standard unit example was correct, I was trying to point out that if he got something like a LT305/75 that the ground to top of tire dimension IS different for a 16" rim size vs. the 18" rim. I didn't want someone to read about a metric tire that barely fits without lift on a 16" rim to overlook the 18" rim size when making a purchase.
Thanks
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
I didnt want to start a new thread on this question but, I am having a hard time with finding different tires for the 18" wheels. It seems there are more tires for the 17" wheels. Is this true and should I just get the stock 17" wheels for the Sahara rather than the 18"? THanks
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
My opinion here, but as someone who has a Sahara with 17" wheels, get the 18's. The stock tires on the 17" wheels are absolute crap. The stock tires on the 18's aren't the best, but leaps and bounds ahead of the Goodyear SRA's.