Topic: Wheel size versus tire size

[Mozman68]

My local guy has the American Racing wheels but he says they are simply another suppliers wheel (can't remember the name) and they just throw their name on them....he quoted the cheapest best wheel he can get.

I'm not going to freak out over 1/4 inch...but another thing he mentioned was that I was better off doing the 3.75 because the 4.5 might cause a problem in the future if I was to switch to a larger tire on the same rims.

Any pictures of yours posted here somewhere?

[jagular7]

Correction my tire size is 34x10.5's LTBs. I'll remove the spare tomorrow and measure the overall width of the tire mounted on the 15x7 rim. Just taking a flashlight outside and measuring I have roughly 4" bs or its 5-3/4" to the tire's sidewall. I'll also measure the overall mounted height, in case anyone is making a chart......

Just to clarify, the bs is from the wms (wheel mounting surface) to the full outside edge of the rim.

[Jeffy]

Correction my tire size is 34x10.5's LTBs. I'll remove the spare tomorrow and measure the overall width of the tire mounted on the 15x7 rim. Just taking a flashlight outside and measuring I have roughly 4" bs or its 5-3/4" to the tire's sidewall. I'll also measure the overall mounted height, in case anyone is making a chart......

Just to clarify, the bs is from the wms (wheel mounting surface) to the full outside edge of the rim.

No correction needed,     The bottom picture that doesn't show up are 33's.  :wink:

[Mozman68]

Hypothetically speaking....what would happen if I went with the 33x12.5 R15's on my stock height TJ??

What would be my biggest issue?  Bottoming out going over speed bumps??  Limited turn radius??

I'm just worried that I'll end up getting a lift in 6 months and will think the 31's are too small.

Should I just go with the 33's and put washers on to prevent from turning to far??  Or would my bigger problem be rubbing from the height??  There seems to be so much room and it doesn't seem like the extra 2 inches (really probably less than 1") would make a difference.

The only reason I ask is that I've decided to fly down to VA this Friday to pick it up and I want to put the new stuff on immediately after.

Thanks again for all of the great info and I'll be sure to post my reviews of my new Tuffy console, Alpine stereo and Sony subwoofer after I install (and shots of that plus the wheels as well).

[Jeffy]

I'll address two things.

4.5" is a good offset even with 35's.  You'll reduce your turning radius a bit and you'll probably want to extend the bumpstops but with 33's it shouldn't be a problem.  Going with 3.75 is a bit of a lazy mans approach.  It will clear but that's because the tires is pushed way out.  If you went with 12.5" wide tires they will stick out around 4-5" past the stock flares.

As for 33's, you will not be able to clear them.  32's tops as long as you don't ever go on any trails.  The biggest issue is not clearing anything.  Hit a bump and the tires will eat your fenders.  Turning radius shouldn't be much of a problem with 3.75" because the tires will stick out past the flares giving you enough room to clear them.

[Mozman68]

Just came from my local 4WD shop....took your reccomendations and went with the 4.5" backspacing to minimize the extension of the tires beyond the flares.

The sales guy made sure I was aware of the fact that if I decide to go to 33"s on those same rims a later date, they will not work as they will definitely rub.

We both agreed that the next time I change tires I would probably change wheels anyway...and I might have mentioned that I would probably be in there for a 4" lift and be jumping up to 35's anyway...HAH.

Photos coming next week of the following mods:

Alpine stereo install with iPod adapter module.

Tuffy security center console unit

31 10.5's on 15 x 8's with 4.5 backspacing

Window tint for front doors and hard top.

OH YEAH!!!

Here is the before shot...uugggh


...and here is the same pictured digitally altered so I could see if I liked the mods I was thinking of (painted the rims, removed the bumper ends, tinted the windows...tires are still stock as I'm not THAT good).

[Jeffy]

I like how the front axle is missing.  :wink:


If you turn your steering stops out a bit, it will keep larger tires from rubbing.  4.5" BS will work for taller tires.  AEV uses 16x8 with 4.75" and they run 33's and 35's.

As for the stock 9-slots, I kinda like them.  Iv'e thought about having mine widened and set to 4.5".

[Mozman68]

Didn't even think about the axle when I was doing that...just trying to make the bumper look right.  I'll just tell everyone it's some special million dollar idependent hub drive front end. :?

I like the wheels too...I will probably spray black and put snow tires on for the winter time (next winter that is...too anxious to see my new wheel/tire combo on there).