Tire Rabbit Hole

[Jmat1980]

For days I've debating over tires...
33x10.5x15 on 15x8 seem a bit narrow
33x12.5x15 on 15x8seem like they will stick out too far(non Rubi flares)
I like and am leaning towards 285/75/R16 on 16x8. It's a good middle ground at almost 33" tall and about 11.5 wide

Can you all show me pictures of the above wheel and tire combos? Include tire/wheel size and backspacing in your post

 

[Irun]

This was a previous Jeep on stock 15" wheels, with a 33 x 10.50 R15 KM2 tires. The tires were basically even with the stock flares. They did contact the lower control arm at full lock, but this was fixed by adding a washer to the stop nut. FWIW, I'd consider staying away from 16" wheels/tires. You'll have fewer tire choices and most of the tires will be E vs C rated.

 

[BryantJT]

For days I've debating over tires...
33x10.5x15 on 15x8 seem a bit narrow
33x12.5x15 on 15x8seem like they will stick out too far(non Rubi flares)
I like and am leaning towards 285/75/R16 on 16x8. It's a good middle ground at almost 33" tall and about 11.5 wide

Can you all show me pictures of the above wheel and tire combos? Include tire/wheel size and backspacing in your post

33x12.5x15 on 15x8 with 4.5" backspacing, tires are Federal Couragia MT with stock Rubicon flares. They might stick out 2" past the flares.

 

[Thumper4fun]

Dick Cepek Extreme Country

10.5x33x15 with factory flares.

 

[YourWorstEnemy]

2 inch ACOS lift...285/75/R16 on factory 16x7 wheels...love this size rubs the control arms slightly but just a little adjustment of steering stops fixes that

 

[YourWorstEnemy]

No flares...I like the width of the TJ with factory wheels and 11.5 wide tires not too skinny not to fat...

 

[Chris]

I've had 285/75/R16 on my Rubicon and they are indeed great in terms of size. The issue however is that you won't find any C rated tires in a 16" size, mostly just E rated.

That being said, I would go with a C rated tire as my first choice and focus on the size second.

 

[Thumper4fun]

I would go with a C rated tire as my first choice and focus on the size second.

I agree 100%. My rig had 17" wheels and Nitto E rated tires. Very harsh ride and didn't perform well off-road. Swapped out to the C rated 15" wheel/tire combo and it made a world of difference in ride and performance on-road and off-road. So regardless of the tire size you go with you should definitely pick a C rated tire.

 

[YourWorstEnemy]

I've had 285/75/R16 on my Rubicon and they are indeed great in terms of size. The issue however is that you won't find any C rated tires in a 16" size, mostly just E rated.

That being said, I would go with a C rated tire as my first choice and focus on the size second.

That is true but we just ran 20-22 psi and it rode well...when we were running 30+ it was BAD...could carry the whole jeep on one tire lol

 

[Flivver250]

33x12.5x15

 

[Chris]

That is true but we just ran 20-22 psi and it rode well...when we were running 30+ it was BAD...could carry the whole jeep on one tire lol

I also ran 26 psi on my E rated tires and thought it wasn't actually that bad.

Then I switched to C rated tires and my mind was blown. The difference in ride quality is astounding.

E rated tires are meant for a vehicle much heavier than a TJ (a truck). If they are your only choice, then there's not much that can be done. Given the choice though, a C rated is a much better suited tire for a TJ.

 

[YourWorstEnemy]

I also ran 26 psi on my E rated tires and thought it wasn't actually that bad.

Then I switched to C rated tires and my mind was blown. The difference in ride quality is astounding.

E rated tires are meant for a vehicle much heavier than a TJ (a truck). If they are your only choice, then there's not much that can be done. Given the choice though, a C rated is a much better suited tire for a TJ.

I agree...it was what we ended up with at the time....given the choice I would go C for sure...even my son is going C rated on his JL because of the ride and tire weight at 37s

 

[bedhed]

Not intending to hijack your thread. I've been searching for tires too. I'm always stoked when it comes time to slap on new tires, but I always seem to forget how frustrating it is. I've been running these E rated tires for several years, but I've decided to go with C this time around. That's made the search even more annoying. I don't suppose we've got a running list of C rated 16" tire options somewhere, do we?

 

[oldjeepman]

255x85x16 Toyo on Moab rims . Also rubi flares

 

[Jmat1980]

2 inch ACOS lift...285/75/R16 on factory 16x7 wheels...love this size rubs the control arms slightly but just a little adjustment of steering stops fixes that
View attachment 142880
View attachment 142881

Do you know what back spacing you have? If those are stock Moab they should be 16x8, 5" BS...

 

[Jmat1980]

Not intending to hijack your thread. I've been searching for tires too. I'm always stoked when it comes time to slap on new tires, but I always seem to forget how frustrating it is. I've been running these E rated tires for several years, but I've decided to go with C this time around. That's made the search even more annoying. I don't suppose we've got a running list of C rated 16" tire options somewhere, do we?

There isn't much for C at 16". You really need to go to 15's for more options. The Duratracs I'm looking at are pretty light for E tires at 54 lbs. If I can just figure out the back spacing I will order the damn things...

 

[Jmat1980]

There isn't much for C at 16". You really need to go to 15's for more options. The Duratracs I'm looking at are pretty light for E tires at 54 lbs. If I can just figure out the back spacing I will order the damn things...

Go to tiresize.com/calculator and you can put in a size and see every tire available at that size. You can then filter by brand, load rating, type of tire, etc...

 

[Goatman]

255x85x16 Toyo on Moab rims . Also rubi flaresView attachment 142898

This is what I wanted to go with. But pulling (hay, grain) wagons in the fields need a wider tire to stay above the turf. Probably go with these skinny tires next go around.

 

[DustinfromOhio]

If you’re dead set on the 285 size you might want to consider 17s. There are tons of rubi take offs floating around right now in 285/70r17, both c rated MT and AT and they are selling for cheap! Personally I’m swapping 17s for 15s for price and c rated availability as mentioned above. Once you go bigger than 285/70 there really aren’t any C rated 17s. The best you’ll find are some D rated in the 315/70 size but if you look carefully they are rated for the same weights as similar Es which leads me to believe they are derated.
here are my old 265/70r17s

 

[bedhed]

There isn't much for C at 16". You really need to go to 15's for more options.

Yeah, this is the first time looking to get C rated for the Jeep. It's been a struggle.

Go to tiresize.com/calculator and you can put in a size and see every tire available at that size. You can then filter by brand, load rating, type of tire, etc...

But this right here has saved the day! Man, thanks for that.