I just weighed my tires and wheels

[Bennett]

My cragar 397 wheels and Firestone Destination MT 235/75R16 tires came out to be 76.7 lbs each as a whole... I am thinking this more likely is what is causing such lowering of performance.. and not so much of using a larger tire, but it does play a role obviously. I was wondering if there is such thing as a lightweight wheel... The wheel it self weighs about 36lbs, which is quite heavy.

I am going to go weigh the goodyears to see what they weigh.

Bennett

 

[jeepkj02]

try aluminum. they are expensive, but they are lighter and better quality.

 

[roadrunner]

Wheel weight

As I recall, switching from 615/75-16 w/ steel rims to 235/70 w/ Renegade rims there was a loss of about 2# per wheel. The aluminum more than ofset the heavier (Goodyear) tires.

Interestingly, wheel/tire weight affects the vehicle more than chassis weight because the wheels rotate. As a general guideline, each # of wheel weight equals about 4 # chasis weight (regarding acceleration). Thus, if you lighten your wheels by 10#, you's improve your accelaration/braking the same amount as lightening your chassis by 40 #! It isn't a lot, but actually noticable if you pay attention to those things.

 

[Bonehead]

Be happy you don't have Super Swampers on there, them things weight a freakin ton........

 

[Bennett]

The goodyears weigh in at 49.7 lbs each... so they are a lot lighter than my other tires...

 

[incommando]

The e-rated 285/75r16's on 16x8 soft 8's that I have on my SJ go about 102# each......

Unsprung weight, like wheels, is absolutely the hardest on your vehicle. Wanna know why factory brakerotors suck for longevity anymore?? They were made lighter for just that reason.

 

[Bennett]

Ok.. I've been working on some numbers today and boy was I surprised..

Stock Wheel weight is 18 lbs
Cragar wheel weight is 28.7 lbs

Stock Goodyear SR-A 235/70R16 ~ weight 32lbs, Revs per mile: 721
Destination M/T 245/75R16 ~ weight 48lbs, Revs per mile: 678 <- I have these currently

Tires I am looking at:
Destination A/T 245/75R16 ~ (tirerack specs: weight 34lbs, Revs per mile: 706) & (firestone.com specs 37lbs ,684rpm)
Destination A/T 235/75R16 ~ (tirerack specs: weight 34lbs, Revs per mile: 699 ) & (firestone.com specs 31lbs, 699rpm)
Destination A/T 235/70R16 ~ (tirerack specs: weight 33lbs, Revs per mile: 720) & (firestone.com specs 31lbs, 720rpm) <- STOCK SIZE
Destination A/T 245/70R16 (tirerack & firestone.com specs 34lbs, 706rpm)

So which specs do you believe... most likely the manufacure I think..

But the Destination A/T 245/70R16 look the best choice, since I do have a lift.

Bennett