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16" wheels vs 17" wheels

23K views 39 replies 23 participants last post by  cherokeesteve 
#1 ·
I just put the TF leveling kit(spacers) on my '15 unlimited and now she's ready for some new shoes, it came stock with 17" but I was thinking of going to 16" for more sidewall, anyone running
285/75/16 or 285/70/17 If so, pictures? Pros and cons
 
#2 ·
I'm shopping wheels and tires myself. I did up a cost online from discount tire and 17" duratracs are ~$263 where 16" they are $193. Also the wheels I'm looking at are $20 cheaper each on 16s. I have a '15 Jku sport as well and am going to go with the 16s. Had a '10 Jk and had 16s and it looked great with no lift. I went with 265/75/16.
 
#3 ·
16 inch tires and wheels are indeed cheaper than 17 inch, but there seems to be a much wider selection of 17 than 16 inch tires.

If you already know what tire you want and it is available in 16 inches, go for it. But if you are still trying to figure out what tires to get, I suggest you do not rule out 17 inche tires just yet.

Good luck,

Aldo
 
#4 ·
I was set on 16's and 295/75-16 Toyo ATII's. Possibly the best AT tire made right now... Unfortunately, the wheel selection is worse than the tire selection and I couldn't come up with a wheel that my wife liked. It's her DD and that means anything appearance related, she has final say.

This was my inspiration:

 
#5 ·
I was looking at the Goodyear DuraTrac, from everything I've read I need a rim with 4.5 backspacing to avoid rubbing, but I've noticed some have a negative offset and a positive offset and then some have no offset, I know the backspacing is important to avoid rubbing, does the offset also play a role in that?
 
#7 ·
Offset, back specing and wheel width are intertwined. As long as you are talking about wheels between 8 and 9 inches wide, the back spacing is all that is important. The 16's are commonly 4.5 back spacing and that is the correct fit.
 
#8 ·
I was thinking about getting some 315x75/16 tires and looking at Extreme Terrain's 16" wheels. They have some new styles in 16x8 with 4.5" backspacing. Jeep JK 16 Inch Wheels (2007-2015 Wrangler) | Free Shipping

Then I thought I could mount my KO2 on my stock rims which I still like and get 315x70/17 tires which are a little more expensive than their 16" tire versions. Then I read that most 315x70/17 tires are only measuring out to about around 33.5" under load. I was looking at Duratrac, MTZ, ATZ, AT2 and Deegan 38. I feel a little 'shortchanged' with the 34x10.50/17 KO2 only measuring out to about 32.5" and now want a 34" or 35" tire haha.
 
#18 ·
Any lift ?
If you still have stock suspension , any rubbing ?
 
#23 ·
285/75r16 Duratracs
MB 352s with 4.5 BS
RK 3.5 Flex (netted nearly 5 inches of lift)
 

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#24 ·
If you can find a set of 16" rims and tires you like, they are always a better for off road performance and rim protection. The only advantages to 17" rims is the wide range of available tires/rims as well as the appearance if you prefer that look. One inch may not seem like much, specially since it only raises the rim by 1/2" but once you get to 16-17" rims every inch matters. For example the Sahara 18" rims are much more subject to damage. The Jeep suspension and steering really is a game of fractions of an inch.
 
#26 ·
15" should be the only wheel where you MAY have caliper issues. not all 15" have this issue. 16" will be fine with 4.5" BS. i dont think 5bs will fit w/out rubbing issues
 
#31 ·
I have the same leveling kit as you on a '15 Unlimited. I prefer the look of the 17" wheel, so went with 17"x8.5" MB TKO wheels with the +18 offset which yields a 5.46" back space. I didn't want my tires sticking way out beyond the fenders and the 5.46" back space works perfect for the size of tire I have. Chaos center caps, 285/70/17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires (32.76" tall) got the tires and wheels from Discount Tires locally and I'm very happy with the results.
 

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#34 ·
Here's another pick of 16's for you. I went with black Ion Alloy 171's 16x8 with 4.5" backspacing wrapped in 285/75/16 General Grabber AT2's with a 2" lift. Love the combo so far. Very good ride and looks better in my opinion with more tire and less rim. You will get better aired down properties with a taller sidewall off road also.

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Jeep Automotive tire


Land vehicle Vehicle Car Tire Jeep
 
#36 ·
My rear tire, again tread is about even with fender, sidewall extends probably 1/2" to 3/4" beyond fender. I think the MB TKO wheel is the best looking economy priced wheel, I actually preferred its looks to just about every wheel I've seen, I was able to purchase 4 new wheels for $395 shipped to my house, I found them on EBay listed by discount tire direct. Tough to beat that price.
 

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