I have a 2011 unlimited sahara not lifted. Looking to replace these stock wheels. I'm trying to decide on the Dick Cepek GM7 17"x8.5" or the American Racing AR901 18"x9"
The local tire dealer does not suggest dropping to a 17" because the side wall will be larger and truck will 'ski' (feel softer less control)
Has anyone had a big issue with dropping down to a 17" rim?
I'm looking at the BFG AT KO2 and the 17" combo is much cheaper vs 18"
what size would you recommend w/ either tire? online links (thanks to prev forum posts) say to roll with:
18": 275/70R18 or 285/65R18
17": 265/65R17 or 285/70R17
Looking for suggested pairings to avoid rub
THANKS !!
...
The local tire dealer does not suggest dropping to a 17" because the side wall will be larger and truck will 'ski' (feel softer less control)...
THANKS !!
Local tire dealer objects because local tire dealer makes more money selling tires for 18" wheels.
jeez
If you plan to take your Jeep offroad, sidewall is your friend. More sidewall = better air-down ability. More comfort offroad.
More tire choices, better pricing for 17" wheels too.
jeez
Get another tire dealer.
I have 16s and clear the brakes fine, no handling issues. 15" used to be "the" wheel size, then 16, now 17.
It has been mentioned but is worth re-mentioning I think. If you are going to go off road on rocks or into the sand you want to be able to air down as much as possible and the more sidewall you have the more you can do that. Many MANY JK's out there are running on 17s!
And it doesn't affect my thoughts on it but I think the dealer making more money on the 18s is true too.
Although I agree that the shop is likely saying that to make extra coin, there is truth to what they are saying. Larger wheel with smaller sidewall will yield better on road performance however this will likely not be at all noticeable going down from 18" wheel to 17". The benefit of 17" wheel are larger tire selection at better prices, far outweigh any marginal on road performance you expect to gain my maintaining larger wheel size.
Looks great. That makes my decision. They are on sale at tirerack for $99
I may run the gm7's with 255/75-17 (same as you) or the 265/70-17 but the BFG KM2
I would press up to the 285/70-17 but really don't want to deal with washers at this time. maybe next project jeep
here is a good question for all jeepers.. since u are talking tires wd bfgoodrich km2 size 285/75r17 a nd duratrac 285/70r17 fit on my stock 2008 wrangler sahara rims with 1 1/2 inch spacers. jeep has no lift
I went from the stock Sahara 18's with BFG's to 17" MT Baja MTZ's in 35s. Aside from my speedo being way off the Jeep drives great. Can do 80 no problem with 3.73 gears. No noticeable issues. I love it.
I went from the stock Sahara 18's with BFG's to 17" MT Baja MTZ's in 35s. Aside from my speedo being way off the Jeep drives great. Can do 80 no problem with 3.73 gears. No noticeable issues. I love it.
You do realize that your speedo can be recalibrated in 30 seconds with an AEV ProCal, and it will adjust your auto transmission shift points at the same time.
Ok. pulled the trigger on wheels, backspacing is 5.5" and tirerack shows these sizes for KO2's:
265/70-17
Can someone confirm there will not be a rub issue, the tirerack configurator does not show that choice for sahara (due to change of rim size)
they also show: 265/65, 275/65, 275/70
No, I ran them on my 2 door Sahara for about 6 months completely stock. I did add a 1" leveling puck up front on it and also to the current 4-door Sahara. Never had issues with rubbing, turning,etc...I don't do hardcore rock climbing, but have driven through creeks, up creek banks through some major gopher holes, etc...
thanks unsocbl - i'll keep the gm7's
discount tire was much more helpful than tirerack and suggested 275/70 or 265/70 for the KO2's. so most likely will go with one of those.
Hey Stormin, FYI, it took me 11 months to finally make up my mind what I wanted to to with my Sahara. I upgraded my tires from the stock dualers to Duratrac's the same size 255 70 18's and added a 2 1/2 inch lift. I've had no problems. Here is a pic of it.
Hi guys, new here and I finally found this thread! took me so long
Trying my luck in replying here, if not I'll start a new thread.
I'm also on stock 18" on my JKU 2017 (MY18) and I've recently purchased some AEV Pintlers that are 17" and planning on putting on 285/70/r17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W's.
Hi guys, new here and I finally found this thread! took me so long
Trying my luck in replying here, if not I'll start a new thread.
I'm also on stock 18" on my JKU 2017 (MY18) and I've recently purchased some AEV Pintlers that are 17" and planning on putting on 285/70/r17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W's.
I went from 18" wheels to 17" and put on Falken Wildpeak AT3W 285/70r/17. I did put on a TF 1.5" leveling kit for looks. See my profile pic. Rides great...like stock. Manual with 3:73 factory gears.
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