Almost the same, but different?

[TheOtherMe]

I want to get a slightly larger, more aggressive tire on my stock 2 door sport. I have the 3.6 and the auto. Of these two tires, which is likely to have the least impact on my current driving dynamics? They are the same brand and style tire. Price is almost identical. I prefer the look of option 2.

Option 1: 285/70/17, Load 117T, 50lbs.
Option 2: 255/80/17, Load E, 51 lbs.

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[Philly_]

Do both tires weigh the same? If so, the shorter wider one will impact your speedometer the least, but the extra width will increase drag on the highway. Whether or not this is noticeable is tbd.

Personally, I would go with the taller skinnier one because every bit of ground clearance helps off road and airing down the tires has a greater impact on the contact patch than just buying a wider tire will.

Also, for those sizes, I would keep an eye out for Rubicon take-off tires with low mileage. You can usually get a great deal on them and they will be very close to what you're looking at

 

[Carlton]

The 285/70r17 is the stock Rubicon size. It will ride fine. Make sure it is a load range C tire for comfort. I see the ine tire is load range E. Much stiffer tire.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

A 265/70/17 (31.5") will give you the same diameter as your current 245/75/17s, with a little more width. There will be no impact on driving dynamics.

A 275/70/17 (32.2") will give a a slightly taller tire and a little more width with little noticeable impact if you stay with a load range C tire.

A 255/70/17, although a little narrower, will give you that same 32.2" height, but is far easier to find in P metric and load range C.

285/70/17 (32.8") is about the tallest and widest you can go with your stock Sport suspension. Many do that size and are happy with them.

The 255/80/17 is an interesting tire size. It will fit and will not impact your driving dynamics much. My only concern would be in an emergency lane change or and abrupt tun at speed. The narrow tread combined with the taller sidewall will allow for more sidewall flex when cornering/turning/sharp curves, and that will affect the handling dynamic. On the short wheelbase 2 door, that would be something to consider.

All of those tire sizes will fit on your current 7.5" wide wheel with no issues.

 

[Reinen]

Load range is what you'll notice most. Stick with Load Range C. Maybe Load Range D. Load Range E is a very stiff tire and you'll need to be rather heavy to take it out of the "too stiff" zone.


@The Last Cowboy 's advice is spot on. I'll just add that 285/70R17 will rub at full articulation (but only at full articulation so many get away with it). Also 255/80R17 is what you want for winter. Tall narrow pizza cutters. It won't be the best for summer, especially mud.

 

[TheOtherMe]

Some very thorough responses. Thank you. My goal is to maintain as much of the current driving characteristics as possible, while getting a slightly more aggressive aesthetic. Is there a reason the taller, skinnier tires all seem to be load rage E? I like the look, but I'm concerned about the weight and stiffness you speak of.

 

[blnewt]

Like mentioned, get the Rubicon takeoffs, usually pretty easy to find on this site and almost always a great deal vs. buying a smaller tire new.

Also consider a Rubicon takeoff suspension, will lift it just right if you go to those Rubi tires and might get lucky and find a Rubi owner wanting to ditch the tires and suspension. If not the take off suspension can often be found here in the $150 range.

Here's my thread on the install and any more info regarding this
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/rubicon-suspension-on-2-door-sport.40700/

 

[The Last Cowboy]

The taller skinnier tires are load range E because they are popular on dually trucks, where a narrower tire is needed. .

 

[LKG]

I want to get a slightly larger, more aggressive tire on my stock 2 door sport. I have the 3.6 and the auto. Of these two tires, which is likely to have the least impact on my current driving dynamics? They are the same brand and style tire. Price is almost identical. I prefer the look of option 2.

Option 1: 285/70/17, Load 117T, 50lbs.
Option 2: 255/80/17, Load E, 51 lbs.

Load range E will be rough especially on a 2 door. You could damn near pull the valve stems and run those.

 

[azwjowner]

Consider a KO2 in 34x10.5R17. This is a skinny size that is actually about 33.25" tall, so almost the same as the 255/80, but the KO2 in 34 comes in load D and BFG actually designed this tire size and load specifically for Jeeps.

 

[blnewt]

Load range E will be rough especially on a 2 door. You could damn near pull the valve stems and run those.

I run E's on my 2dr, not bad IMO but they're Milestar Patagonias which seem to have a softer compound vs. most other tires. I have Mickey Thompson D rated 315/70s that are waiting in my shed (been there for almost 2 yrs now )

 

[LKG]

I run E's on my 2dr, not bad IMO but they're Milestar Patagonias which seem to have a softer compound vs. most other tires. I have Mickey Thompson D rated 315/70s that are waiting in my shed (been there for almost 2 yrs now )

Well oddly enough, I just bought a pair of Milestar Patagonia MT's for my 3/4 ton diesel this past weekend and after my first short drive on a curvy freeway I need to see if I can exchange them. They feel like D's at best which would be fine if they were rated as such. And that was empty, I can't imagine what they'll feel like with a trailer. So yes you were correct, E's can work if they're soft squishy E's. I would still considder them when I'm ready for new shoes on the Jeep.

 

[TheOtherMe]

Consider a KO2 in 34x10.5R17. This is a skinny size that is actually about 33.25" tall, so almost the same as the 255/80, but the KO2 in 34 comes in load D and BFG actually designed this tire size and load specifically for Jeeps.

That looks like a great option. I like the white letter look, but the price puts it outside of my comfort zone. $469 ?

 

[azwjowner]

That looks like a great option. I like the white letter look, but the price puts it outside of my comfort zone. $469 ?

It also looks like Toyo has very recently released the A/T III in 34x10.5R17 as well, and it's cheaper.

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