Sponsored

Jeep Wrangler Sport Upgrade - 265/70/17 or 285/70/17?

yell03

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2018
Threads
10
Messages
136
Reaction score
144
Location
PA
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport
I just bought a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport Black and Tan 2 door. I have previously owned a 2018 JLUR with 35x12.5s on it.
I want to upgrade my wheels and tires on the Sport, but I don't want to sacrifice Acceleration, Ride Quality, and Gas Mileage too much.
I have the 4 cylinder with automatic, 3.45 gearing.
It comes stock with 245/75/17s on 17x7.5 rims.
The tires weigh about 38lbs and the rims are approximately 22-25lbs I hear, so 60-63lbs total.
I found Fuel 17x8.5 rims that are 25lbs each with a -6mm offset./4.5 backspacing.
The big difference here will be the tires.
265/70/17s I can get the same brand Bridgestones that are on it = 40-43lbs
BFG KO2s I can get 265s at 44lbs or 285s at 51lbs
Then I found Toyo Open Countrys 265s at 47lbs or 285 at 48lbs.

Hours of research here, I do not want to make a mistake.

I want the best looking combination I can get, but I do not want rubbing.

Should I do the 265/70/17s, I gain 1 inch in width, but same height or the 285/70/17s and gain 2 inches width and 1 inch height, at the expense of an additional 5lbs over the 265s plus reduced gearing?

I am also thinking of going with Bronze Rims to complement the Tan top.

IMG_7637.JPG
Sponsored

 

Htfan

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jeff
Joined
Nov 18, 2019
Threads
18
Messages
1,183
Reaction score
1,134
Location
Orange County, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU Sport S - 3.6L
Vehicle Showcase
1
I've been running 265/70/17 K02s for over 7k miles and haven't noticed a difference in performance/mpg. However, I have the 3.6 engine. This is my daily driver so I was concerned about impacting fuel expenses etc. There is no rubbing at all either.

Here's a picture on my JLU before I installed the rubicon suspension.

20190630_180437_crop_16_resize_6.jpg
 
OP
OP
yell03

yell03

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2018
Threads
10
Messages
136
Reaction score
144
Location
PA
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport
I've been running 265/70/17 K02s for over 7k miles and haven't noticed a difference in performance/mpg. However, I have the 3.6 engine. This is my daily driver so I was concerned about impacting fuel expenses etc. There is no rubbing at all either.

Here's a picture on my JLU before I installed the rubicon suspension.

20190630_180437_crop_16_resize_6.jpg
Thanks...
I had the 3.6 in my Rubicon.
With the 265/70/17s, being the same height as my 245/75/17s, I knew that would be VERY close in all aspects.

My wife wants me to go with the 285s, she wants more stance.
Even with the 265s and -6mm offset, it would stance out nicely.

The pic below is the exact set-up my wife likes, 285/70/17 on 17x8.5 rim with -6mm offset. I would do All-Terrains instead of Mud-Terrains.

520964-1-2008-wrangler-jeep-stock-stock-fuel-anza-bronze.jpg
 

Gpdan

Member
First Name
Dan
Joined
Jun 24, 2019
Threads
2
Messages
18
Reaction score
13
Location
Abilene
Vehicle(s)
2018 J L sport s punk n
I put 275/70 k o 2s on my 2018 sport. No pics right now but they look good.
 

roaniecowpony

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2018
Threads
144
Messages
7,240
Reaction score
9,297
Location
SoCal
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR, 14 GMC 1500 CC All TERRAIN
Occupation
Retired Engineer
The only information I can add to your decision basis is:
  • taller will slow the acceleration and increase fuel burn for acceleration, but may be a wash or even better MPG at constant highway speeds depending on rolling resistance.
  • wider increases rolling resistance and increases weight
  • increased tire/wheel weight increases unsprung weight, which deteriorates on-road ride quality
  • more aggressive tread increases rolling resistance which degrades MPG
One example is my GMC pickup. It got about 18 MPG on average with the way I drive, with the stock 32" tall 265 street tread tires. I put on some 33", 12.2" wide, hybrid (mud/AT) Cooper STMaxx tires and it dropped to 15 MPG average. That's a 17% reduction in fuel economy.

When I was driving 20,000 miles a year, 18 MPG is 1111 gallons or $3888 @ $3.50/gal. 15 MPG is 1333 gallons or $4665 @ $3.50/gal
 
Last edited:

Sponsored

AZ Hella

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Sep 11, 2018
Threads
47
Messages
1,275
Reaction score
2,223
Location
Sonoran Desert
Vehicle(s)
JLUR
Vehicle Showcase
1
I have a manual transmission, rubicon suspension and 3.45 gears running 285 70 17 and it’s great.
 

cavguy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2019
Threads
56
Messages
512
Reaction score
378
Location
Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLUR
JLUS 2.0L Auto transmission here:

I went with P rated 265/70R17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W's for my sport, they were very nice with the stock suspension, no speedo adjustment needed and MPG stayed approx. the same as with the stock tires.

However, since I lifted the Jeep 2.5" now they are too small (IMO)...

So, that said, you might want to think about if you will be installing a lift. If you will be installing a lift, then go with the 285/70R17's and get your speedo recalibrated. Look for Rubicon takeoffs, either the KO2's or Wildpeak's (I would avoid the E rated tires if I were you).
 

roaniecowpony

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2018
Threads
144
Messages
7,240
Reaction score
9,297
Location
SoCal
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUR, 14 GMC 1500 CC All TERRAIN
Occupation
Retired Engineer
I just bought a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Sport Black and Tan 2 door. I have previously owned a 2018 JLUR with 35x12.5s on it.
I want to upgrade my wheels and tires on the Sport, but I don't want to sacrifice Acceleration, Ride Quality, and Gas Mileage too much.
I have the 4 cylinder with automatic, 3.45 gearing.
It comes stock with 245/75/17s on 17x7.5 rims.
The tires weigh about 38lbs and the rims are approximately 22-25lbs I hear, so 60-63lbs total.
I found Fuel 17x8.5 rims that are 25lbs each with a -6mm offset./4.5 backspacing.
The big difference here will be the tires.
265/70/17s I can get the same brand Bridgestones that are on it = 40-43lbs
BFG KO2s I can get 265s at 44lbs or 285s at 51lbs
Then I found Toyo Open Countrys 265s at 47lbs or 285 at 48lbs.

Hours of research here, I do not want to make a mistake.

I want the best looking combination I can get, but I do not want rubbing.

Should I do the 265/70/17s, I gain 1 inch in width, but same height or the 285/70/17s and gain 2 inches width and 1 inch height, at the expense of an additional 5lbs over the 265s plus reduced gearing?

I am also thinking of going with Bronze Rims to complement the Tan top.

IMG_7637.JPG
If off-road performance is a big consideration, not surprisingly, larger diameter is a big swinger in improving traction and steering per some tests Honda did many years ago. If you aren't doing any off-roading, stay small diameter for the mileage.

The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a nice compromise tire for quiet on the street, while giving you some off-road capability (not mud). The AT3W has generally a less aggressive tread than the BFG K02, similar to the Toyo OC AT tire.
 

Will_Jeep

Well-Known Member
First Name
Will
Joined
Feb 27, 2019
Threads
14
Messages
383
Reaction score
356
Location
Atlanta
Vehicle(s)
Black 2108 JKU Sahara, Black 2016 Mercedes CLS400
Vehicle Showcase
1
I went with KO2s 285/70/17 on my 2018 2.0T Sahara. with my wheel and tire combination I ended up adding about 25 lbs per wheel (62-87).
When I first drove it, there was a noticeable difference, but I think that both the Jeep and I have learned to live with these tires, and acceleration/braking etc, are probably different now to when it was stock, but to be honest I couldn't tell you what stock was like any more!
I have lost a 1-2 mpg, not sure exactly how much, but there was a definite reduction 22ish to 20ish.
IMG_3192.jpeg
 

Pig-Pen

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
May 29, 2018
Threads
80
Messages
3,875
Reaction score
5,976
Location
Eastvale, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU
Occupation
jabroni
Clubs
 
6E22127D-5F9E-490E-B0D4-70A8AA87E502.jpeg
I have a sport. Ran stock rubi tires/wheels for a year. Looked and ran great. Barely noticeable change in performance and mpg. Worth it for the looks alone.
 

Sponsored

OP
OP
yell03

yell03

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2018
Threads
10
Messages
136
Reaction score
144
Location
PA
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport
I put 275/70 k o 2s on my 2018 sport. No pics right now but they look good.
I thought about the 275s, right in the middle.

The only information I can add to your decision basis is:
  • taller will slow the acceleration and increase fuel burn for acceleration, but may be a wash or even better MPG at constant highway speeds depending on rolling resistance.
  • wider increases rolling resistance and increases weight
  • increased tire/wheel weight increases unsprung weight, which deteriorates on-road ride quality
  • more aggressive tread increases rolling resistance which degrades MPG
One example is my GMC pickup. It got about 18 MPG on average with the way I drive, with the stock 32" tall 265 street tread tires. I put on some 33", 12.2" wide, hybrid (mud/AT) Cooper STMaxx tires and it dropped to 15 MPG average. That's a 17% reduction in fuel economy.

When I was driving 20,000 miles a year, 18 MPG is 1111 gallons or $3888 @ $3.50/gal. 15 MPG is 1333 gallons or $4665 @ $3.50/gal
Right now I am getting 17.5mpg all city driving. My JL Rubicon before with the 35x12.5x17 was getting under 14 on the highway.
MPG is my least concern, but I still like not paying as much at the pump.
My biggest concern is driveability. It runs great with the little 245/75/17s, just looks small.

I have a manual transmission, rubicon suspension and 3.45 gears running 285 70 17 and it’s great.
I am sure the manual tranny helps.

JLUS 2.0L Auto transmission here:

I went with P rated 265/70R17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W's for my sport, they were very nice with the stock suspension, no speedo adjustment needed and MPG stayed approx. the same as with the stock tires.

However, since I lifted the Jeep 2.5" now they are too small (IMO)...

So, that said, you might want to think about if you will be installing a lift. If you will be installing a lift, then go with the 285/70R17's and get your speedo recalibrated. Look for Rubicon takeoffs, either the KO2's or Wildpeak's (I would avoid the E rated tires if I were you).
Do you have any pics with the 265s before the lift?
I am looking at C rated.

If off-road performance is a big consideration, not surprisingly, larger diameter is a big swinger in improving traction and steering per some tests Honda did many years ago. If you aren't doing any off-roading, stay small diameter for the mileage.

The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a nice compromise tire for quiet on the street, while giving you some off-road capability (not mud). The AT3W has generally a less aggressive tread than the BFG K02, similar to the Toyo OC AT tire.
I had the KO2s on my Raptor, great tire. I was looking at KO2s, Toyo AT2s (my son says no), and the Falkens. Weight is the main reason I was looking at the Toyos. The Bridgestone ATs that come stock on the Sport are very light, but not made in 285/70.

I went with KO2s 285/70/17 on my 2018 2.0T Sahara. with my wheel and tire combination I ended up adding about 25 lbs per wheel (62-87).
When I first drove it, there was a noticeable difference, but I think that both the Jeep and I have learned to live with these tires, and acceleration/braking etc, are probably different now to when it was stock, but to be honest I couldn't tell you what stock was like any more!
I have lost a 1-2 mpg, not sure exactly how much, but there was a definite reduction 22ish to 20ish.
IMG_3192.jpeg
I am trying not to add that much weight per wheel. I could live with 15lbs extra, but I'd rather not.

6E22127D-5F9E-490E-B0D4-70A8AA87E502.jpeg
I have a sport. Ran stock rubi tires/wheels for a year. Looked and ran great. Barely noticeable change in performance and mpg. Worth it for the looks alone.
Most likely I will go for the lightest weight 285 on 17s I can find.

Stock 2018 SAHARA tires/wheels--
SUNP0107_zpsri27bgoq.jpg


Added 285/75Rx16--no suspension changes-
SUNP0120_zps1hndcawo.jpg


No problemo-

JIMBO
Thanks!
 
OP
OP
yell03

yell03

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2018
Threads
10
Messages
136
Reaction score
144
Location
PA
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport
I don't have pics sorry..
Not a problem, I have seen quite a few with 265s. I think the 285s will probably look better, as long as I don't need a lift.
 
 



Top