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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: chrisfranklin on December 16, 2010, 05:25:45 PM

Title: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: chrisfranklin on December 16, 2010, 05:25:45 PM
The MTs I have are 31" x 10.5R15s.  They are sitting on stock 6" wide steel wheels http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SET-FOUR-JEEP-WRANGLER-15-X-6-FIVE-LUG-STEEL-WHEELS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem483e22118fQQitemZ310280065423QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_536wt_939 . 

One of the black plastic hubcaps on them busted off the other day and those are cheap enough to replace or remove all around.  But it crossed my mind to look around for a set of used 15" Jeep alloys.  The ones I was looking at are 8" wide and along the lines of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200555463959&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_14081wt_1165.  More expensive than I was looking for and me buying them is not exactly certain.  But here's the question:

It's ok to go from 6" to 8" wheel width on the 31" x 10.5R15s, right?  Thx
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on December 16, 2010, 05:46:49 PM
Yes, it's OK to go from 6" to 8".  Actually 8" will make the tire sit flat on the wheel instead of pinching the sidewalls.  You'll get a more even wear pattern and not get the centers worn out before the outers. The downside is that you don't gain any rim protection when aired down.  If you air down too much you could upset the bead.

The wheel offset is still pretty tight at 5".  Should be fine for the 31's though.  I'd check CL for Rubicons or Canyons.  I forget what those wheels are called. $510 is a lot though.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: chrisfranklin on December 16, 2010, 06:51:53 PM
That's good to hear on the 6-8"

I thought the '03-'06 Rubicons were 16" wheels.  I was checking out some Cherokee mags that looked decent but they were 16" so I wrote them off given my tires' wheel diameter  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-01-JEEP-CHEROKEE-WHEEL-16X7-ALUM-SILVER-/390270815812?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5addf40e44#ht_2388wt_939. 
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on December 16, 2010, 07:27:55 PM
My mistake, you want to keep your tires.  So 15" will have to do.  You might consider 15x7 steel wheels if you want OEM's.  Otherwise you could go with some aftermarket steel wheels for a lot less.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: chrisfranklin on December 16, 2010, 11:56:33 PM
If a set of 4 of the 15x8's hit ebay or CL in the next few months http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200555463959&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_14129wt_1165 and the price with shipping is decent (maybe $400 or less total), I might pick them up. 
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: drunkencityworker on December 17, 2010, 05:45:49 AM
rubis are moabs...canyons are the ones in last link
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: chrisfranklin on December 17, 2010, 08:51:41 AM
The ones in the link in my last post might be known as "Ravens" http://collinsbros.stores.yahoo.net/usedrims.html.  Not sure where Jeep came up with that name.   
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Dylan on December 17, 2010, 10:20:02 AM
The ones in the link in my last post might be known as "Ravens" http://collinsbros.stores.yahoo.net/usedrims.html.  Not sure where Jeep came up with that name.   
Close, they're "Ravines".
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Dylan on December 17, 2010, 10:28:29 AM
Oh and depending on your area, you may be better off cruising CL or the local paper for a deal on stock wheels... I've picked up two complete 5 wheel sets of stock alloys for $200 each set that way.  To answer your original question, 31x10.5 tires fit like a champ on stock 8" wide alloys.

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/SMLE1918/Jeep/jeep002.jpg)
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: chrisfranklin on December 17, 2010, 10:53:35 AM
"Ravines" makes more sense, thanks Dylan.  Those wheels look good on the BFG ATs
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on December 17, 2010, 11:53:21 AM
Oh and depending on your area, you may be better off cruising CL or the local paper for a deal on stock wheels... I've picked up two complete 5 wheel sets of stock alloys for $200 each set that way.  To answer your original question, 31x10.5 tires fit like a champ on stock 8" wide alloys.

(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d178/SMLE1918/Jeep/jeep002.jpg)
Ooo, classic 5-holes.  Those go all the way back to the YJ and XJ.  Haven't seen those in a while.  Probably the best looking wheel of that era.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: FourbangerYJ on December 17, 2010, 02:11:37 PM
Is that 5 hole wheel a American Racing Gambler? I like that look too. I also like the look of the MT Classic II.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Dylan on December 17, 2010, 04:04:50 PM
Yep, Gamblers  :nod:
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on December 17, 2010, 05:11:42 PM
Is that 5 hole wheel a American Racing Gambler? I like that look too. I also like the look of the MT Classic II.
5-Holes were the Mopar name.  'Gambler' was the ARE name.  The only difference was the center cover.  5-holes had 'Jeep' there.  ARE made both as they still do make all of the aluminum Jeep wheels.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: stan98tj on December 27, 2010, 10:16:10 PM
those wheels seem pretty popular. i used to have  them when i had my 31s. After i upgraded, i started to notice them on a lot of jeeps.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on December 27, 2010, 10:32:13 PM
those wheels seem pretty popular. i used to have  them when i had my 31s. After i upgraded, i started to notice them on a lot of jeeps.
Back in the day they were what you'd find on a Renegade (Top-of-the-line Jeep)
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: chrisfranklin on January 08, 2011, 08:22:25 PM
I went ahead and sprang for 4 of the Ravines; including shipping it worked out to a little over $300 for a set of 4 off a mid-2000s TJ.  Deciding whether I'm still going to need the 1" spacers I had on the steel wheels.  Wheel width is 8" instead of 6."  Even with the width increase, it looks like the backspacing measurement might be the same for both types of wheels, so it's looking like I'm going to keep the spacers.   
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on January 08, 2011, 08:31:37 PM
I went ahead and sprang for 4 of the Ravines; including shipping it worked out to a little over $300 for a set of 4 off a mid-2000s TJ.  Deciding whether I'm still going to need the 1" spacers I had on the steel wheels.  Wheel width is 8" instead of 6."  Even with the width increase, it looks like the backspacing measurement might be the same for both types of wheels, so it's looking like I'm going to keep the spacers.   
BS should be around 5.5" which is a little tight.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: st.chevrolet on January 09, 2011, 10:22:54 AM
BS should be around 5.5" which is a little tight.

X2, my dad has Ravines with 31x10.50 Toyo MTs on his TJ and if you turn sharp the side lugs grab the LCA's  and stop the Jeep. He had to use 1 1/4" spacers.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: chrisfranklin on January 09, 2011, 03:44:58 PM
I would be surprised if the Ravines have about 1/2 inch to an inch more backspacing than the 6" wide steel wheels (those look like maybe 5" BS maybe less).  If the 1" spacers I have don't do the trick I'll probably just adjust the steering a little. 
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on January 09, 2011, 04:04:58 PM
I would be surprised if the Ravines have about 1/2 inch to an inch more backspacing than the 6" wide steel wheels (those look like maybe 5" BS maybe less).  If the 1" spacers I have don't do the trick I'll probably just adjust the steering a little. 
BS on the 15x6's will be less as they are only 6" wide.  5.5" would put them at 1.5" from the face of the wheel.  I would guess the 15x6's are something like 4.5" or less.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: chrisfranklin on January 21, 2011, 01:17:32 AM
I finally had a chance to get these ravine wheels on.   They are a good 2-3 inches past the flares, so Im going to either pull the spacers and tighten up the steering or just order some wider flares.  Like them better than the oem steel jobs I had

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/leeiaccoca/Wheels6.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/leeiaccoca/Wheels7.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/leeiaccoca/wheel2.jpg)
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on January 21, 2011, 11:48:37 AM
I finally had a chance to get these ravine wheels on.   They are a good 2-3 inches past the flares, so Im going to either pull the spacers and tighten up the steering or just order some wider flares.  Like them better than the oem steel jobs I had

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/leeiaccoca/Wheels6.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/leeiaccoca/Wheels7.jpg)

(http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg271/leeiaccoca/wheel2.jpg)
Just remove the spacers.  Wide flares look hokey with no lift.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: neale_rs on January 21, 2011, 02:05:10 PM
I think it looks good as is but removing the spacers should work well too.  With 33s I only had to adjust the steering stops a bit, not enough to really notice any change in turning radius, so with 31s the adjustment should be minimal.  The main problem with the tires sticking out will be that the rear flares will start to get erroded on the front edge (the front edge, strange as it may seem).  Mine got that way from when the YJ had 30s that stuck out a bit.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on January 21, 2011, 03:07:14 PM
I think it looks good as is but removing the spacers should work well too.  With 33s I only had to adjust the steering stops a bit, not enough to really notice any change in turning radius, so with 31s the adjustment should be minimal.  The main problem with the tires sticking out will be that the rear flares will start to get erroded on the front edge (the front edge, strange as it may seem).  Mine got that way from when the YJ had 30s that stuck out a bit.
With the tires that close to the flares, he'll have nice grooves if he goes offroad though.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: neale_rs on January 21, 2011, 05:18:48 PM
With the tires that close to the flares, he'll have nice grooves if he goes offroad though.

My 30s never got grooves from rubbing on the flares, it was the flares that got worn down.  The tires could get grooves or other damage if they touch the metal part of the fenders though.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on January 21, 2011, 06:04:58 PM
My 30s never got grooves from rubbing on the flares, it was the flares that got worn down.  The tires could get grooves or other damage if they touch the metal part of the fenders though.
I should have been more clear, the flares gets a nice arch ground out of it.
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: sharpxmen on January 21, 2011, 07:13:16 PM
get TJ flares and call it a day
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: Jeffy on January 21, 2011, 09:07:43 PM
get TJ flares and call it a day
YJ flares are free though.   :wall:
Title: Re: Tire size and wheel width change
Post by: chrisfranklin on January 22, 2011, 03:59:37 AM
My YJ flares have been working on their "arches" since I got the 31s on about a year and a half ago.  Looks like I'll probably leave things as is for a little bit, but then maybe pull the spacers and adjust the  steering