17x9 vs 17x8.5 wheels

[NINTH]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, still learning all this stuff

Should I do a 17x9 wheel or 17x8.5 wheel if I want to upgrade to 285/70/17 tires?
I saw that 17x9 is the most popular size but then read some stuff that 17x8.5 is more rounded and better protection...

It shows that both sizes fit my JL so I guess the only difference will be how much poke there is?

For a 2021 2 door sport with stock suspension, will eventually get rubi springs

Mostly daily driving use and light trails

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[Tr4ckD4ys]

I recommend you watching the video in this thread:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-down-contact-patch-size.156057/#post-3219851

TLDR: It really depends on what type of driving you’re planning on doing and what exact tire you’re planning on putting.

 

[Camaroboi13]

On a 285 I’d be willing to bet whichever wheel is cheaper is the one you should buy. Basically, it’s not gonna matter. I run 37s on 8.5s my wife runs 37s on stock Willys wheels.

 

[jadmt]

personally I don't like a lot of poke so I would go with the 17x8.5 with the less offset...also I bet being they are the same wheel design the 8.5's will be a bit lighter...

 

[GATORB8]

-38 is a lot of offset for that small of a tire, hard for me to envision on the narrow axles, but make sure you see one before ordering.

0 offset vs stock:

-38 offset vs stock:

 

[Wabujitsu]

You can easily do 7.5“ wheels for that tire. For years I have been using the stock wheels on various Jeeps, at 7.5”, with 35x12.50 tires and wheel spacers.

 

[JeepinPete]

8.5" vs 9", not really going to notice a difference. 0mm vs -38mm, that is going to be noticeable. Given the two choices, I'd pick the 8.5".

 

[JT1]

-38 is a lot of offset for that small of a tire, hard for me to envision on the narrow axles, but make sure you see one before ordering.

0 offset vs stock:

-38 offset vs stock:

It's gonna look like an actual rollerskate..

 

[GATORB8]

It's gonna look like an actual rollerskate..

I think a roller skate has wider wheels proportionally.

 

[NINTH]

I recommend you watching the video in this thread:
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...-down-contact-patch-size.156057/#post-3219851

TLDR: It really depends on what type of driving you’re planning on doing and what exact tire you’re planning on putting.

I'll take a look!

 

[NINTH]

-38 is a lot of offset for that small of a tire, hard for me to envision on the narrow axles, but make sure you see one before ordering.

0 offset vs stock:

-38 offset vs stock:

This helps a lot, thank you

 

[NINTH]

8.5" vs 9", not really going to notice a difference. 0mm vs -38mm, that is going to be noticeable. Given the two choices, I'd pick the 8.5".

Makes sense!

 

[NINTH]

You can easily do 7.5“ wheels for that tire. For years I have been using the stock wheels on various Jeeps, at 7.5”, with 35x12.50 tires and wheel spacers.

Would the difference between a 7.5" and 8.5" wheel be that noticeable? The 8.5" wheel with 285/70/17 tires should be more beefier/wider?

 

[Wabujitsu]

Would the difference between a 7.5" and 8.5" wheel be that noticeable? The 8.5" wheel with 285/70/17 tires should be more beefier/wider?

JC, my guess is there is no visual difference with ANY brand of tire, regardless of rim width, based on my experience. With the 35x12.50 tires I’ve used, the tread does not get pulled down into a narrower contact patch. All tire dimensions remain the same.

 

[JeepinPete]

A narrower wheel will be better protected by the sidewall from rocks, curbs etc. Street handling will be measurably inferior but unlikely noticed due to the nature of a solid axle vehicle. I like a narrower wheel personally and have run a 8.5" wheel on a 365 width tire on my old land cruiser with success.

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