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33x12.50x15 weight vs stock

7K views 28 replies 11 participants last post by  spinlock 
#1 ·
I currently have a set of rubicon takeoffs on my 2013 JKU sport and I am looking to upgrade. In an effort to save money I have considered the level 8 trackers with 33" Duratrecs. One thing I have been able to find is the weight of that setup compared to my current. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
#4 ·
Although I don't have numbers, I know my 33x12.50 GYD's on 15x8 Level 8 Trackers are lighter than my 17" stock rims and tires were.
 
#6 ·
Im in the same boat trying to decide between 17" MT classic lll's or just a some other kind of 15" because of the weight over stock. I already know that if I'm going to run around a 34 inch tire on 3.73 gears il be just on the edge of having a slow slow slug.
 
#7 ·
2015JKU that is my exact situation. Do I buy some nice 17's and upgrade the tires after I wear out my current tires or get the 15" tire and wheel package. I also have 3:73's so I feel save up to 34's. Gas mileage is already horrible so what is another one or two mpg.
 
#8 ·
Exactly, I think about this everyday lol.
 
#9 ·
If you want 15's, the Duratrac is 49 pounds and I think the Level 8 tracker is 20 or 21 pounds, iirc. So 70 total. The stock Rubi tire and wheel are 73 (weighed mine). If you want 17's instead, the Duratrac is 53 and the Tracker is 26 for a total of 79.

I know that Black Rock 909's and MB TKO's are 19 pounds in the 15 and 23 in the 17 inch so you can shave off a few more pounds. IMHO, anything under about 80 is probably fine. My 909's and 285/70/17 Duratracs weigh 76 #'s.

Try Tire Rack or Tread Depot to get weights of most wheels and tires. Level 8 is hard to find weights for anywhere. MB and Black Rock show their weights on their sites.
 
#10 ·
I'm also looking for this size tire - preferably a Duratrac due to its popularity.

Has anyone run these wheels/this combo?

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Whee...ainted&showRear=no&package=P634&association=1

TireRack will sell me those wheels (15x8, 3.75 BS, 19 lbs) mounted, balanced, shipped on 4 33x12.50R15 Duratrac's for $1248. Center caps and lug nuts also included. Wondering if this is a good deal and if I should pull the trigger.

I have a 2015 sport with 3.73's and a TF leveling kit installed with current Sahara wheels and tires.
 
#12 ·
Prolly not going find too many people with those rims since they are less than 4.5" backspace. That is what most would agree is the minimum.

You probably need 5 of any rim and tire set up also.

Most, including me, go level 8 tracker, for the round hole style. Very similar priced.
 
#14 ·
No your not wrong. 16,17,18" aftermarket wheels for the JK usually have 4.5-4.75" of backspacing but 15" wheels are usually 3.75" of backspacing which is needed to clear the calipers.

AEV makes wheels for the JK and the same wheels are available directly from Mopar with the Jeep logo on them which have 5.2" of backspacing but that's at Jeeps request and those wheels just clear a wide tire some have even used a small wheel spacer to get the backspacing down even more.
 
#15 ·
No your not wrong. 16,17,18" aftermarket wheels for the JK usually have 4.5-4.75" of backspacing but 15" wheels are usually 3.75" of backspacing which is needed to clear the calipers.
Yep. In a 15 inch wheel you need less back spacing to clear the caliper. 4.5 is a good BS fro larger wheels but 15's won't fit.

Nothing wring with 15's Cheaper, lighter and most will clear the caliper (steel wheels won't). You might want to verify those particular wheels will fit. Some 15 inch alloys won't. Discount Tire has a list floating around in an old thread of the 15's they sell that will fit.

In fact, here it is:

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f27/15-mb72-alloy-vs-15-steel-wheels-67737.html
 
#21 ·
I've got a base model '015, stock, with 16" wheels. I'm reading this thread about switching to 15" wheels, while I'm shopping for 17s for 33" tires. Am I missing something, going in the wrong direction? I'm new to jeeps, trying to make my stock rig look better, & perform off road.
Im looking for this look: (not mine, I found this pic online under "33" BF Goodrich all terrain tires on 17" wheels"
http://pictures.dealer.com/a/adamsjeepofmarylandcllc/0539/de7f097d42ad1c94c96f3cc55f0187e6x.jpg
 
#23 ·
A 33 with a 15 inch wheel will allow you air down more and have a bigger sidewall also might make the tire look a little bigger. 33's on 17's don't look bad at all you just lose a little sidewall and can't air down as much, really comes down to the look you like. I personally think its easier to find 17's in the bolt pattern and back spacing I would need vs the 15's. More styles of wheels I like I guess you could say.
 
#24 ·
Lots of threads on 15s vs 17s. My opinion only, if you are going 33s and never bigger or lifting beyond level. 15s look great, beefier and full. As soon as you go bigger 17s look better and perform better.

Clarifying tpms comment above, for a rubicon it is cheaper, with 33s don't need shift point changed or recalibration of speedo. TPMS warning is annoying and never goes away!
 
#25 ·
15's are good to go. They'll stick out a bit further due to the backspacing but other than that, they are a great option. Lighter than comparable 17 inch combos and cheaper too. But if you plan on upgrading some steering components, the tie rod I think, after market pieces won't fit with 15's. Neither will big brake kits like the one from Teraflex. Plus, you'll have a lot more selection of wheels and tires when you go to 17's.

You don't need a programmer to go from Rubi 32's to 33's but it's nice. Keeps your speedo accurate but the shift point change is probably insignificant. But you can lower or turn off the TPMS. Then you won't have the constant warning if you run less than stock pressure, which you often do with Duratracs in either size, or don't get TPMS sensors installed. I set mine to zero and didn't spend the extra cash on new sensors.
 
#27 ·
Don't know if its a bad idea. At some point the wheel will have so little backspacing that it puts more loading on the bearing, suspension, etc. But I doubt that extra quarter inch is going to be the end of all things. Lot's of JK's run 15's with 3.75 inches. To me, the biggest problem is that they stick out further. That might be illegal in some areas unless you invest in wider fenders and they will throw more mud and stones up onto the Jeep. My 4.5 BS wheels with 33's throw mud and stick out an inch or so.
 
#28 ·
Thanks for all of the great information. The wife gave me the green light to buy new rims (she wants black) but I getting gready and trying to get rims and tires. My original plan was to get AEV Pintlers and keep my current tires for now then upgrade to 34's. I am currently leaning toward that route.
 
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