Topic: Wheel size versus tire size

[Mozman68]

Okay...I'm so brand new and green please don't bust on me for a stupid question.

Just bought my 2000 TJ last week and it is completely stock.  What size are my wheels??

I want to put 31's on it with black steelies but don't want it to be too complicated....figured going with a wheel the same size as stock with the bigger tire would be the way to go but maybe I should go wider for a more aggressive look.  I know I should be able to do 31's without too much difficulty on a stock setup, but won't the wheel width/back space make a difference as well??

I can't seem to figure out what is the maximum combination of tire height and width that can be accomodated on my stock rig....have only seen that 31's will work (30.5 is done as standard on some current Jeep models).

Any opinions??  None of the pictures I have seen on various websites seem to mention the wheel size.  I don't want to do a lift...YET!!!

Thanks in advance.

[Jeffy]

Well, if you have the most basic steel wheel on there you may have what's known as 9-Slots.  These have 9 square slots around the face.  They have a 15" diameter and are 6" wide.  The next wheel up is the 5 spoke that is 15" x 7".

Depending on which wheel you have, will determine the stire tire you can use.  But for the most part 31x10.5R15's will fit.

Since you want new wheels though, you might want to go with a 15x8" wheel.  This will allow you to go wider later on eithout having to get new wheels.  One thing to make sure of is the backspacing.  This is the distance from the inner rim to where the wheel bolts to the axle.  Stock wheels are around 5.5" deep.  You will probably want no less then 4" deep.  It would be better to stay around 4.25-4.75".  This will keep the tire under the stock flare for the most part.  Stock Jeeps look really squat when they use 3.75" wheels and have no lift.  The tires usually stick well past the stock flares.

Why keep them under the flares?  In many states it's illegal to have the tires sticking out.  Not only that but the tires will throw water, rocks and mud back into the Jeep if you're not careful.  The only way to get around the legal problem is to get wider flares which again, makes the Jeep look shorter and fatter then stock.  I guess it's a personal thing but I think it looks bad.

[Mozman68]

exactly what I was looking for...now, any reccomendations on a good supplier??  I would love to get wheels with tires already mounted and balanced like tire rack does.

Also, any reccomendations on a good tire that will be run on the street for the most part but be able to handle minimal off road use??  I don't mean to be a poseur, but I do want it to look kickin'....

[Mozman68]

What is the other set of numbers on the wheel size stand for??

Example:

15 x 8 5x4.5 4" back space

what does the 5x4.5 or 5x5.5 stand for???

[Jeffy]

5 on 4.5" is the bolt pattern.  5 as in 5 lugs.  4.5" as in the circular pattern is 4.5" diameter.

The most popular 'Rockcrawler' is the American Racing 767.  These come in 3.75" and 4.0" I believe.  I've got one as a spare, infact.  With skinny tires, it's not bad but I would want them inboard a bit more for 12.5" wide tires.

Ask all the questions you can think of now before you buy them.  There are alot of Jeeps out there with the wrong offset and they look goofy.  3.75" isn't bad for those who have 33 or larger tires.

Here are some links to check out:

http://www.stocktonwheel.com/
http://www.americanracing.com/wheels/details.asp?wheelid=47&name=AR-767&style=767&desc=Steel%20alloy,%20painted&section=A

Also check out: www.TireRack.com which you used and  www.tires.com

[Mozman68]

Okay.....so my bolt pattern on the standard SE is 4.5 diameter??  What wheel mount uses the 5.5".....or am I confused.

I really like the Crager D-ring.

Sorry to keep asking, but I just want to make sure they fit when I finally drive my Jeep up from VA in a couple of weeks.

I'll definitely be posting before and after pics....it'll go from stock to hot in one week.

Thanks again.

[Jeffy]

5 on 5.5" is what the CJ's, Ford and some Chevy's too.

[jagular7]

Mozman,

where are you located?

A lot of these questions are a lot easier to answer standing in a parking lot going over the Jeep. I ask where you are to help direct you to a club source. 4WD clubs, especially manu' specific, are great to be members. Not only getting to know your vehicle, it's capabilities, repairing, mod'ing, etc, but there is information about the sport you don't get on your own; not to mention the friendships you generate with other members.

[Mozman68]

Grand Rapids, MI.

Just excited to get my Jeep looking the way I want as soon as I get it back up North (bought it in VA and couldn't bring it back with me...will have it in 3 weeks after what I am imagining will be a painful 750 mile "4 banger" drive).

Only Jeep guy I know lives right behind me, but we both travel a great deal and I haven't even talked to him yet.

I think I'm settled on the great deal they are running over at desertrat.com.....set of 4 Mickey Thompson F/C II's on a set of rock crawlers for $680.

31 / 10.50R15 tires on 15x8 wheels....they don't mention the back spacing, but I think 4 inches would be best if I've read everything correctly....or should I go deeper as Jeffy suggested above (4.25" to 4.75")??  Will the tires really stick out with a 4" back space?  Bearing issues??

Any other thoughts on if this is a good plan??  

Want to get a 5th wheel as well for a spare.  Any issues on mounting this wheel to the stock spare frame??  Can't tell if the couple of extra inches on the topside will interfere with the 3rd brake light. *edit*  Sorry..just found Jeffy's article on this!!

Would still love it if there was another site out there like tire rack that could show a graphical representation of how certain wheel/tire size combos would look like on a Jeep.  Do any others exist??  Tire rack simply is too limited in the wheel choices for the TJ.

Thanks again for the help.

[Jeffy]

Grand Rapids, MI.

I think I'm settled on the great deal they are running over at desertrat.com.....set of 4 Mickey Thompson F/C II's on a set of rock crawlers for $680.

31 / 10.50R15 tires on 15x8 wheels....they don't mention the back spacing, but I think 4 inches would be best if I've read everything correctly....or should I go deeper as Jeffy suggested above (4.25" to 4.75")??  Will the tires really stick out with a 4" back space?  Bearing issues??

Any other thoughts on if this is a good plan??

FC II's are old Dick Cepek tires.  MT bought DC out a few years ago.  Used to be popular tires but I haven't seen them used since the mid-90's.

Here's what you can do to see how it will fit.  First you need to figure out which wheels you have.  If they're 15x6's add 1" to the outer edge to get the wheel width.  Add one more inch to get the tread width.  Then add .5 to account of the sidewall.  That should give you an idea of how far the tire will sit with 5.5" backspacing.  Add 1.5" to the width from earlier to get the idea of how it will look with 4" backspacing.  Besure to measure from the rim of the wheel and not the sidewall.  If everything is done right, you should be within an inch of the actual tire.

This might help, jagular7 running 4" BS with 34x10.5R15's.



Here is a AR767 with 4" BS and a 33x12.5R15

[Mozman68]

Stopped by my local 4x4 shop (who knew...it's right around the corner) and the owner (older techie who REALLY seems to know his stuff) said that with the 15x8 wheel I will have to stick with the 3.75" backspacing as that is what is standard with almost all black steelies in that size.

He had the tires on the floor and says they are great, especially if off-roading is secondary to street driving.

I can get 5 wheels with tires mounted and balanced including bolts and center caps for around $1k with shipping.  

I'm stopping back in at the 4x4 shop after work to see if he can come close....nothing like giving business to a local expert that I will probably be consulting with quite regularly.

I'll take a picture as soon as they are installed and post.

[Jeffy]

3.75" is old school.  It's what most wheels come in but it pushes the tires out far on a Jeep.  If anything see if he'll mount one to see how it looks.  I think you'll be stickig out past the flares though.  Also, consider that you may go taller.  That means you'll go wider too.  12.5" wide on that wheel will stick part the stock flares by 4".

Then again, if .25" isn't that much.  I'm running 3.75" with 12.5's and they're only under the flares since I run 7" wide Warn flares.  I really would like to bring in the tires though.  It looks good now but I would like it skinnier.  I've actually thought about changing my wheels for some rubicons or go stock.  Maybe have my 15x6's widened to 8" or even 10".

Now the other thing that comes up is pressure on the wheel bearings.  Now I've had 3.75" BS and oversized tires some a year after I drove the Jeep off the lot.  Never had problems with any of them.

[bestos]

What tires are you getting?  BFG, GY - mud or all terrain?

[Mozman68]

Fun Country II's by Dick Cepek (Mickey Thompson's)

31" 10.5R15's on 15x8 black steelies with 3.75" back spacing.

He told me that it would be barely noticable and they would be BARELY sticking out beyond the fenders as the tire sizes are never what is actually listed on the tire.

Another reason I want him to do them...if there is problem I'll drive right over there and give him crap about it....he's been there a long time and was really knowledgable about everything I brought up.

[BlackYJ]

The American Racing black steelies (AR-767) come with a 4.75" and 4" backspacing, but I have found that the American racing rims are more expense.  I ran 31x10.5.15 MTRs on 4" backspacing AR-767 on my YJ and they stuck out about 2" past the flares.