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35x12.50 R15 vs. R17

16K views 20 replies 17 participants last post by  YJ_Tom 
#1 ·
So im looking into some 35x12.50 tires. Currently I have the stock 17" Rubi wheels and am not opposed to possibly getting new wheels. Looking at the price of tires, im seeing a $100 difference per tire for 35x12.50 R17 VS. R15. Am I missing something here? Are there any pros/cons to possibly downsizing my wheels to 15" or would there be inboard clearance issues with brake calipers etc. The overall size of the tire would remain the same right? Just the wheel size would be different?
 
#2 ·
A lot more sidewall for airing down with a 15 but can be harder to balance the tires.

Many 15" aluminum wheels will fit the JK, but if going to bigger brakes and after market tie rods then you will have fitment issues.

So 17" you air down less and are more pricey but you don't have fitment issues with after market stuff and they are usually easier to balance.

Half a dozen of one and 6 of the other...Depends on your needs and if you are going to do brake upgrades etc down the road.
 
#3 ·
I saw 35 on 15 and the tires look bigger than 17s with 35s. I went the route of 35s with 15 because of it. I got five mtr kevlar with procomp rims for 1300. Can't beat that price.

if you want 15s make sure it's the 5x5 bolt pattern with 3.75 back spacing. 4 could work but there will be a bit of caliper grinding.
 
#5 ·
I went 15's and routinely get asked if I am running 37's. The larger sidewall is like an optical illusion. Originally I wanted the larger sidewall for air down purposes.
 
#4 ·
I have 33 on 15" but looking to go to 35. I found its a pain to find some tires in a 35 for a 15 most only come 16 or 17
 
#11 ·
I wish. More sidewall hinder more in lateral (cornering) stability. That is why sports cars have low profile tires. Your not driving a sports car. Grundy county speedway has a spectator race during their normal stock car race night. I actually entered mine one night for fun. First race I beat a stock trailblazer. 2nd I lost to a modified trans am(shocker). Point I am trying to make is you will not really give up safety for these tires. I can gaurantee you will not do on the road what I pushed them to on the racetrack.
 
#9 ·
Tire size stays the same but 17s would likely get you far more wheel options and maybe even tire options these days. Though I think back to being in high school and seeing a new 02 or 03 F-150 with 17s and thinking "who'd want such big wheels on a truck?". lol
 
#12 ·
I just ordered a set of 35x12.50 MTRs in 17 inch rims today. I was looking at 16" and 17" wheels options, and it seemed like 16" tires are going the way of the dodo bird. Especially if you don't want to run a load range "E" tire. I looked at 15" too, but I wanted MTRs and I have heard they can be tough to balance, so I went with 17". I used to have a Chevy 1500 Z71 that I ran 35x12.50x15 Super Swampers SSRs and they were impossible to keep balanced. All that being said, opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one. Just do what you like and makes you smile when you look at your jeep.
 
#16 ·
Many prefer the 15" wheels on the trail. I have not had any issues with lateral flex on the highway with 33s and I run the shit out of my JK. I guess I will see how 35s do soon.
15s are a great option long as you can get the tire you want in a 15" size and plan on staying with stock steering parts.
 
#17 ·
I have 17s with 35 km2s and currently on my fourth attempt at balancing. Road forced the whole works. I don't think it really matters between a 15 and 17 in a 35 as far as balancing issues. Some get lucky some ( like myself) don't. As much as I paid for this setup I now wish I would have saved some money going 15s if Im going to have a crappy ride.
 
#18 ·
I would recommend 17's, but it is your choice!!!!!
 
#19 ·
I was thinking of going the same 15 inch route, but in Utah your tires cant stick out past your fender. to run 15in tires on a JK you'll have to run about 3in of backspace, or so Im told. That would cause the tire to stick out farther than my fenders. So I think im going with the 17in wheel. Some day
 
#20 ·
I run 35x12.50x15 Goodyear MTR/K on Black Rock Viper wheels. IMO the 15" wheel is ok as long as you don't plan on going bigger than 35" and you're ok with running factory tie rod ends.

I'm pretty happy with my choice. I prefer the beefier look of a 35 on a 15 and it certainly cost less money than a 35 on a 17. I've only got a sleeved/gusseted D30 front axle so I'll never run anything bigger than a 35 (I feel like I'm pushing it already).

I think my MTR/K's balance reasonably well considering what they are, but I've resigned myself to the fact that it will never ride like a Cadillac.
 
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