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
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
I just changed from the factory 17" alloys to 16" Ultra wheels and 295/75/16's General Grabbers. I like the taller sidewalls, the tires and rims are cheaper and a bit lighter as well.
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.
285/75/16 Duratracs with a 2.5 TF lift. I like the stance, performance of the DT in snow and rain, and aired down to 8-9 psi there is plenty of sidewall.
I had this same debate, and I ended up going with 16" wheels and 315/75r16 Duratracs. I think they look great, but you can judge for yourself. Not the World's Greatest photo, but you get the idea . . .
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.
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
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.
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.
Picture is my front tire, 285/70/17 with a 5.46" back space. My understanding is stock wheels have a 6" back space. My tread is about even with the outside of the fenders, the side wall extends a little outside of the fenders by maybe 3/4"?
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.
16s will fit, some 15s will fit as well. As long as you're stock. But as your Jeep grows you might end up needing a larger wheel. Bigger brakes need more clearance, some drag links, etc.
So IMO think about what your long term goal is and make decisions based on that.
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