Tire Rabbit Hole

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Jmat1980

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Feb 25, 2020
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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👍
 
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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.
SigcspB.jpg
 
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Jmat1980 said:
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👍
Click to expand...


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.

received_2907075302659237.jpeg

IMG95201906229519422599395HDR.jpg
 
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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.
 
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Chris said:
I would go with a C rated tire as my first choice and focus on the size second.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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Chris said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
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YourWorstEnemy said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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Chris said:
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.
Click to expand...
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
 
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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?
 
bedhed said:
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?
Click to expand...
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 said:
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...
Click to expand...
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...
 
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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
33790764-7CBE-450F-BE31-224C94AE3967.jpeg
 
Jmat1980 said:
There isn't much for C at 16". You really need to go to 15's for more options.
Click to expand...

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

Jmat1980 said:
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...
Click to expand...

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