dont assume, please read.........rim/tire size help

[CMax26az]

i have been searchng for a while through the forums and i cant find the answer to this question:

Generally speaking, what is a better rim size for offroading? 15" or 16" ?

can a 15" rim be mounted on a KJ?
will it clear the front calipers?
will there be other clearance issues for turning radious?
Is there an advantage for 15" vs 16"?

I'm asking this because i want to get a wheel/tire combo for offroading and there are alot more tire options in the 15" range. Right now i have no plans for a lift but i may in a year or so.

my stock tire is 235/70/16, this equals to the inches sytem as a 29x9.5/16. but i cant find anyting close to 29x9.5 in a 16" rim. they do however have them in 15" rim. even if i stay with the metric tire sizes, the closest i can find is 225/75R16 (a more narrow tread) or 245/75R16 (taller and wider, will i have a clearance issue?).

comments? suggestions? oppinions?

 

[kjpilot]

Some 15" steel rims will fit. From what I've seen, no 15" alloy will fit over the caliper. Rubbing/turning issues are a matter of the tire size. I understand the theory to be that given the same rolling (outer tire) circumference, a 15" wheel would have an advantage of being able to put more rubber to the surface for traction when wheeling.

 

[KJ04]

i have been searchng for a while through the forums and i cant find the answer to this question:

Generally speaking, what is a better rim size for offroading? 15" or 16" ?

can a 15" rim be mounted on a KJ?
will it clear the front calipers?
will there be other clearance issues for turning radious?
Is there an advantage for 15" vs 16"?

I'm asking this because i want to get a wheel/tire combo for offroading and there are alot more tire options in the 15" range. Right now i have no plans for a lift but i may in a year or so.

my stock tire is 235/70/16, this equals to the inches sytem as a 29x9.5/16. but i cant find anyting close to 29x9.5 in a 16" rim. they do however have them in 15" rim. even if i stay with the metric tire sizes, the closest i can find is 225/75R16 (a more narrow tread) or 245/75R16 (taller and wider, will i have a clearance issue?).

comments? suggestions? oppinions?

Why spend twice for tires. If you lift it next year, just get the 245/75/16's then. Ground clearance is half the battle to off-roading, without it you'll be banging on things a lot and get high centered easily.

 

[o8k]

historicly 15s had more size options but all things considered, 16s have many now too and the devil most of us know are the 16s

 

[desertkj]

Personally, I would stick with the 16's and get some BFGs. From what I have heard, the 15's are pretty hit or miss. I have 235/70R/16 in the BFG AT/KOs and I love them. My first set lasted about 45K and they have a good reputation offroad.

 

[CRD4Liberty]

There are lots of 245/70s out there, I've been running some Nokian Vatiivas on my '05 CRD for almost 2 years now.. I've seen some KJs with 235/75s also.

 

[Atrus]

IMHO, unless you plan to lift, 245/70/16 General Grabber AT2's. I am slightly lifted, and I articulated the front suspension and swung the wheel to lock and it was DARN close to the sway bar with 235/70's. Not sure if my 245/70's would clear now. Yes, that's the worst case scenerio, but unless you want to deal with rub and trying to eliminate it that's what you'll need to go with. I was debating 245/70 vs 245/75 and decided I didn't want to deal with the headache for an extra ,25" of lift. Big effin' deal, .25" - that's why skid plates were invented I also like that they aren't nearly as heavy as a 245/75 and are close enough not to mess with the speedo rev/mile.

I wouldn't go 15", I think we have plenty of options 16". You're going into less-chartered territory with a 15"

Stock-to-small lift, 245/70/16.
2.5" lift - 245/75/16
2.5"+ and/or cutting 2.5" - larger (265. etc etc)

Could also do 255/70/16 (30") Grabber AT2's. That's between the 245/70 (29.5") and 245/75 (almost 31") tire

 

[CMax26az]

im going with either:

Firestone Destination M/T
225/75R16
245/75R16
or
Kumho Road Venture M/T
225/75QR16
245/75QR16

neither make a 70 series in 16"...

so the question remains, the 225's or the 245's ?

 

[tommudd]

can not run 245 75 x 16s without a lift unless you want and like rubbing!

 

[JeepJeepster]

15" rims just look to small to me. I went down to 16" from 17" and now the 16's look small.

The Rubicon JK's have 18" rims.

 

[tjkj2002]

My 15" clear the caliphers just fine,now getting the wheel studs to line up right now is just impossible,oh wait the 15" rims going on are 5.5 on 5(KJ's are 4.5 on 5) and 35x13.50's tires,gosh darn it guess I need to get my axles built and put on .

 

[desertkj]

can not run 245 75 x 16s without a lift unless you want and like rubbing!

I can't seem to find any pictures right now, but I have heard of instances where people with the 245's actually popped off the rear fenders when fully flexed. I would not recommend going with that size. If you really want those tires, I would go with the 225's until you can get a lift.

 

[Vtolds]

Would 15 inch Cragar's fit on a KJ. There seems to be some confusion in this thread.