Looking For Opinions

[O1LL1F3]

I don't see a whole lot of CJ's in my area. Occasionally every once in a while.

Trying to decide which route i want to go on looks. Pretty sure i have decided to Raptorline the Exterior black.

My curiosity is on wheels. I wanna keep the old jeep feel but i like bigger wheels. Whats yall's thoughts on 18" or 20" wheels on a CJ7 . What i would like to run is 33x12.5R18. But i have a set of Mickey Thompson MTZ with 80% tread sitting in my shed that are 35x12.5R20. Only reason i am even considering 20" wheels. With intentions of going back down to a 33" tire once those are gone

Or Stay with a 15" wheel and go 33x12.5R15.

My Riding is mostly back roads, levee, turnrows. I use my jeep as a daily driver on my 14 days off of work to keep miles off of my truck.

My goal is for it to be completely blacked out when i am done.

 

[mdeluca]

Had the same debate with myself a short while ago... went with these for more of a traditional look and larger sidewall for better ride.

No lift here so 31s...

Make: American Racing
Style: AR1725885B
Size 15 x 8
Bolt Pattern 5 on 5.5
Backspace: 3.75"
Offset: -19mm
Bore: 4.25"
Alloy
Satin Black

 

[O1LL1F3]

Had the same debate with myself a short while ago... went with these for more of a traditional look and larger sidewall for better ride.

No lift here so 31s...

Make: American Racing
Style: AR1725885B
Size 15 x 8
Bolt Pattern 5 on 5.5
Backspace: 3.75"
Offset: -19mm
Bore: 4.25"
Alloy
Satin Black

So my jeep is Supposedly lifted to clear the oil pan on the Mercedes Diesel. The 31's on it now look tiny
Attached is a picture the day i picked it up and a picture of the 35
i have just sitting in the garage. IF THEY LOAD

 

[mdeluca]

So my jeep is Supposedly lifted to clear the oil pan on the Mercedes Diesel. The 31's on it now look tiny
Attached is a picture the day i picked it up and a picture of the 35
i have just sitting in the garage. IF THEY LOAD

Wider side wall would look better on your Jeep to my eye...

 

[hole]

Personally, bigger rims and thinner tires look goofy as hell on any vehicle. I'd run a 15" with 33's if it were mine

 

[JeffP]

There are other considerations to deal with. As you increase tire size you decrease final gear ratio. Do you have enough engine for that? Is your clutch or automatic Transmission up to the added stress?
You are also changing your center of gravity. Your Jeep wasn’t all that stable to begin with. Hope you have a full cage!
Because your gearing has changed your speedometer won’t be accurate.
I doubt you have clearance in the wheel wells / fenders for anything larger than 33-12-15. 31 is even better. This will force you into cutting your Jeep and/or lifting it... which is another mega can of worms! Either will seriously degrade the resale value of your Jeep.
If lifted, consider the steering geometry changes along with increased driveline angles. Are you up to all those changes just to recycle some used tires? Then after they pass the ten year age limit... think of the cost to replace them!
I’ve got tons of time & money invested in my Jeeps. I won’t risk losing that, my life or hurting someone else because of a stupid tire! 10 years... even if the look new, they come off!
The last issue... your Jeep is really going to look stupid with tractor size tires on it!

 

[JeffP]

Had the same debate with myself a short while ago... went with these for more of a traditional look and larger sidewall for better ride.

No lift here so 31s...

Make: American Racing
Style: AR1725885B
Size 15 x 8
Bolt Pattern 5 on 5.5
Backspace: 3.75"
Offset: -19mm
Bore: 4.25"
Alloy
Satin Black

That’s nice! While I prefer the CJ5 or any of the old military Jeeps (Mutt excluded!) that is one spectacular looking Jeep! Pretty sure any of us here would be proud to own it!

 

[JeffP]

I take my Jeeps into some pretty rough and remote country.
Stock height with 31x10.5x15 tires on most and NEVER had a clearance issue! I’ve been driving Jeeps since the mid 1960’s! Either been over it, through it or around it several times.

 

[mdeluca]

There are other considerations to deal with. As you increase tire size you decrease final gear ratio. Do you have enough engine for that? Is your clutch or automatic Transmission up to the added stress?
You are also changing your center of gravity. Your Jeep wasn’t all that stable to begin with. Hope you have a full cage!
Because your gearing has changed your speedometer won’t be accurate.
I doubt you have clearance in the wheel wells / fenders for anything larger than 33-12-15. 31 is even better. This will force you into cutting your Jeep and/or lifting it... which is another mega can of worms! Either will seriously degrade the resale value of your Jeep.
If lifted, consider the steering geometry changes along with increased driveline angles. Are you up to all those changes just to recycle some used tires? Then after they pass the ten year age limit... think of the cost to replace them!
I’ve got tons of time & money invested in my Jeeps. I won’t risk losing that, my life or hurting someone else because of a stupid tire! 10 years... even if the look new, they come off!
The last issue... your Jeep is really going to look stupid with tractor size tires on it!

Stop beating around the bush...

 

[mdeluca]

That’s nice! While I prefer the CJ5 or any of the old military Jeeps (Mutt excluded!) that is one spectacular looking Jeep! Pretty sure any of us here would be proud to own it!

Thanks... I am!

 

[O1LL1F3]

There are other considerations to deal with. As you increase tire size you decrease final gear ratio. Do you have enough engine for that? Is your clutch or automatic Transmission up to the added stress?
You are also changing your center of gravity. Your Jeep wasn’t all that stable to begin with. Hope you have a full cage!
Because your gearing has changed your speedometer won’t be accurate.
I doubt you have clearance in the wheel wells / fenders for anything larger than 33-12-15. 31 is even better. This will force you into cutting your Jeep and/or lifting it... which is another mega can of worms! Either will seriously degrade the resale value of your Jeep.
If lifted, consider the steering geometry changes along with increased driveline angles. Are you up to all those changes just to recycle some used tires? Then after they pass the ten year age limit... think of the cost to replace them!
I’ve got tons of time & money invested in my Jeeps. I won’t risk losing that, my life or hurting someone else because of a stupid tire! 10 years... even if the look new, they come off!
The last issue... your Jeep is really going to look stupid with tractor size tires on it!

Thanks for your opinion!

 

[JeffP]

Stop beating around the bush...

Of course you are right... I should have just said what I thought without all the sugar coating and political correctness. Next time I’ll just tell it like it is without all the concern of hurting feelings.
Thanks! I stand corrected.

 

[O1LL1F3]

Of course you are right... I should have just said what I thought without all the sugar coating and political correctness. Next time I’ll just tell it like it is without all the concern of hurting feelings.
Thanks! I stand corrected.

But to your previous comment about Lifting or cutting or not fitting 35" tires. Like i stated in my previous post. The Jeep IS already lifted to clear the oil pan on the Mercedes diesel.

 

[PistolDave]

Several thoughts, aside from looking kinda silly (my opinion haha) on a CJ, 35x20's will ride pretty rough off-road because the sidewalls are short and stiff.

Using 35's off-road on a CJ will require a lot of lift and/or sheet metal trimming.

Bed lining the exterior is kind of a "final solution" because it is awfully tough to remove if you change your mind or decide you don't like it.

Your rig appears to have a 4" lift, if that is indeed the case, 33's ought to clear pretty well for mild off-roading, and if you go with a 15" rim, will ride pretty decent when aired down as well as riding and handling better on the street imo.

 

[O1LL1F3]

Several thoughts, aside from looking kinda silly (my opinion haha) on a CJ, 35x20's will ride pretty rough off-road because the sidewalls are short and stiff.

Using 35's off-road on a CJ will require a lot of lift and/or sheet metal trimming.

Bed lining the exterior is kind of a "final solution" because it is awfully tough to remove if you change your mind or decide you don't like it.

Your rig appears to have a 4" lift, if that is indeed the case, 33's ought to clear pretty well for mild off-roading, and if you go with a 15" rim, will ride pretty decent when aired down as well as riding and handling better on the street imo.

this jeep wont be off road. I have a RZR if I want to offroad

 

[mdeluca]

Of course you are right... I should have just said what I thought without all the sugar coating and political correctness. Next time I’ll just tell it like it is without all the concern of hurting feelings.
Thanks! I stand corrected.

All anyone could want man...

 

[O1LL1F3]

I guess I am just not a fan of the ole 15" steel wheels

 

[O1LL1F3]

guess I may go with a 17" wheel

 

[O1LL1F3]

Thanks for the opinions. The consensus is i am probably not going with a 20" wheel. Probably wont use 15" either. Find a happy medium Flat black wheel