old school 15" vs. 17"+ wheels...

[lowcountry]

New to the site. not sure where this should be posted - didn't see a "wheel/tire" section in the "CJ" forum side...

Just got back from New Mexico with my "new" 83 CJ7 . Specs are AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I6, 4sp. Totally rust free and all original. 1st jeep so I'm trying to learn all that I can.

First order of business is to totally re-build the 35 year old suspension. I thought I would break it up into two parts. First the steering components (upgrading to power) tie rods, front suspension components. Then want to look into a lift kit with new wheels/tires. Which brings me to my first question:

I know CJs came with 15x8" steel wheels. I see a lot of people still preferring to stick with 15" wheels as opposed to the newer sizes available in 16,17, 18".

Is there a reason for this besides the nostalgia factor? I was thinking about 17 x 8 al. wheels with 305 tires, which would be equivalent to 33s (I believe).

Mucho Gracias.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I've owned my CJ for almost 34yrs.
I'm stick'n with 15x8" wheels.
Gives ya more tire to flex, and better protection for the rims when play'n in rocks.
Also get a better ride on the street.
Don't 'fix', what ain't broke--
LG

 

[lowcountry]

I've owned my CJ for almost 34yrs.
I'm stick'n with 15x8" wheels.
Gives ya more tire to flex, and better protection for the rims when play'n in rocks.
Also get a better ride on the street.
Don't 'fix', what ain't broke--
LG

Thanks lumpy. I kind of figured the first part of your answer, and agree. As far as a better ride on the street, I would have to say "better" means different things to different people. I would think a softer ride on the street would excite some people and make others cringe.

Anyway, thanks for the response and I guess the overall answer to this question is are you driving more in the rocks or on the pavement...

I'll probably stick with the 15s...

 

[Belizean]

I have had mine 35 years and just like the classic look. Just found a second set of 5 last year for just in case future use

 

[jay59l]

It really depends on how big of a tire you want to run. 15”s are easier to find for 35” tires and smaller. I had to go to 17”s rims when I went to 37”s.

15” rims are lighter and the tires in general are cheaper. Some big brake combinations need more room so larger diameter rims sometimes are needed.

 

[jp360cj]

New to the site. not sure where this should be posted - didn't see a "wheel/tire" section in the "CJ" forum side...

Just got back from New Mexico with my "new" 83 CJ7 . Specs are AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I6, 4sp. Totally rust free and all original. 1st jeep so I'm trying to learn all that I can.

First order of business is to totally re-build the 35 year old suspension. I thought I would break it up into two parts. First the steering components (upgrading to power) tie rods, front suspension components. Then want to look into a lift kit with new wheels/tires. Which brings me to my first question:

I know CJs came with 15x8" steel wheels. I see a lot of people still preferring to stick with 15" wheels as opposed to the newer sizes available in 16,17, 18".

Is there a reason for this besides the nostalgia factor? I was thinking about 17 x 8 al. wheels with 305 tires, which would be equivalent to 33s (I believe).

Mucho Gracias.

I prefer the look and function of a 15" wheel over a 17" wheel. I wouldn't go with 17s unless I had 37s or bigger, and even then, it would mostly be to stuff bigger brakes in the wheels.

Also, just an FYI, a 305 tire is 12" wide. For offroad tires, a 305 on a 17" wheel will be somewhere between a 32 and a 35

 

[jay59l]

With 33" tires your best bet is 15" rims unless you like the look of a bigger rim and less rubber. Also tires for 16"s are harder to find unless you go metric etc.

 

[lowcountry]

Thanks guys. I guess I'll stay with the 15" wheels. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something particular to Jeeps.