Changing the wheels on a 2023 JLU Willys.

[Slimey Liney]

Greeting everyone. I am a new Jeep owner with a 2023 JLU Willys, with the 3.6 V6 and the 3.45 rear end. This is our first Jeep, and very happy with our decision to buy the Jeep over the Bronco.

We're changing all 5 wheels and tires from the 255/75-15's and have ordered Fuel Beast rims, in 17x9 with +1 offset.. But, I'm still undecided about the tires, Also, I removed the rock rails and replaced them with Mopar steps, so my wife can get into the cab (I prefer the rails). Also have no plans on a lift.

I was planning the buy 295/70-17 instead of the more common 285/70-17, because they're true 33 inch and have a bit extra width. I decided against the 305's because of rolling resistance and weight.

I went with the +1 offset because, although I want the wheels to stick out from the fenders, a trial fit of the -12 rims without a tire, looked too much. The 295's should stick out just over 2 inches at the sidewall and 1 inch at the tread.

The new rims weigh 36lbs, and the stock wheels with tires weigh 73lbs. That doesn't leave a lot of room for the added tire weight, so I'm now looking closely at the weight of the new tires.

i was thinking about fitting the BFG KO2' because, of the few tires in the 295 size, they have the widest treed. Yes, it's all about appearance. But, the KO2's weigh 62lbs, and with a total weight of 100lbs, will add 27lbs to each wheel. Also, all 295's are E rated, and comments here indicate they will give a hard ride.

So (sorry to take so long) finally to the question. What's the opinion on the added weight. How do you think adding 26lbs to each wheel will affect performance? considering the V6 and axle ratio. Should I consider going with the 285's instead? 285's have weights ranging upwards of 55lbs, plus that size gives a much larger selection of tires.

Any photo's, or links to photo's, of similar setups would be very helpful.

Thanks a lot.

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[6th Floor Mule]

Most people add weight when upgrading wheels and tires, but there are some lighter weight tires available like Toyo AT3, etc. Load range C in a 33” looks like it might be a good fit. Also, your +1 and 295 will stick out 3+ inches over stock. The +1 offset will stick out .43 inches more than the +12, so if the +12 was too much “poke,” it’s unfortunately going to be a little worse with the +1. You may love the look once everything is mounted up, but just wanted to give you a heads up. Good luck and welcome to the board!

Use this link to play with different combinations.

https://tiresize.com/wheel-offset-calculator/

 

[Steph1]

There are lower weight wheels out there. My Black
Rhino wheels 17x8.5 with 0 offset weight 27lbs (actually26.8).

I did feel a huge gearing loss going from 285/70 to 305/70 and feel the 285s were the tipping point and very maximum this gearing can handle without obvious feelable impact.

 

[Slimey Liney]

Most people add weight when upgrading wheels and tires, but there are some lighter weight tires available like Toyo AT3, etc. Load range C in a 33” looks like it might be a good fit. Also, your +1 and 295 will stick out 3+ inches over stock. The +1 offset will stick out .43 inches more than the +12, so if the +12 was too much “poke,” it’s unfortunately going to be a little worse with the +1. You may love the look once everything is mounted up, but just wanted to give you a heads up. Good luck and welcome to the board!

Use this link to play with different combinations.

https://tiresize.com/wheel-offset-calculator/

Sorry, I screwed up with the offset. I meant I tried the -12 offset. Thanks for finding it. Gonna edit the post.

 

[Slimey Liney]

There are lower weight wheels out there. My Black
Rhino wheels 17x8.5 with 0 offset weight 27lbs (actually26.8).

I did feel a huge gearing loss going from 285/70 to 305/70 and feel the 285s were the tipping point and very maximum this gearing can handle without obvious feelable impact.

Thanks for the link. Very helpful. I drew the various wheel and tire sizes on CAD, and the dimension that I came up with, match up with your calculator. But, using the calculator is much quicker than drawing cross sections through tires and rims.

I was a surprised that the Beast rims were so much heavier. 36lbs vs 24lbs for the stock rims. But, the rims are on order and look too good. Unless someone responds with info on the affects of 100lb wheels/tire combo's. It looks like I'm going with lightweight 285's

 

[Slimey Liney]

There are lower weight wheels out there. My Black
Rhino wheels 17x8.5 with 0 offset weight 27lbs (actually26.8).

I did feel a huge gearing loss going from 285/70 to 305/70 and feel the 285s were the tipping point and very maximum this gearing can handle without obvious feelable impact.

Does your JLU have the same drive train as mine?

 

[Steph1]

Does your JLU have the same drive train as mine?

Yes, 3.6 V6 And that was even with a Hikeit X9 throttle controller with tire size dialed-in with Jscan app.

It depends on your level of acceptability. Personally, I couldn’t stand to drive a Jeep worth as much as the JL, with less than optimum drivability. As said, it was fine and totally acceptable with 25lbs Rubicon upgraded take-off wheels with light oem BFG K02 285/70-17.

It was on these same light wheels that I installed 305/70-17 Toyo AT/3 tires and the weight of the set-up was totally noticeable and I hated that feeling.

So I decided to go all out and regeared to 4.56, changed tires to fairly light 315/70-17 K02s with proper width light 17x8.5 wheels. Now that transformed the Jeep completely. Driving a Jeep that drives as well as it looks, delivers a level of satisfaction that you have to experience to understand.

As an example, last summer with my 4.56 and 35s, I relived and recognized the same feeling I did With 305s on stock 3.45 gearing…… I was pulling a trailer with 1 ton of rock dust for a project at home.

 

[Slimey Liney]

Yes, 3.6 V6 And that was even with a Hikeit X9 throttle controller with tire size dialed-in with Jscan app.

It depends on your level of acceptability. Personally, I couldn’t stand to drive a Jeep worth as much as the JL, with less than optimum drivability. As said, it was fine and totally acceptable with 25lbs Rubicon upgraded take-off wheels with light oem BFG K02 285/70-17.

It was on these same light wheels that I installed 305/70-17 Toyo AT/3 tires and the weight of the set-up was totally noticeable and I hated that feeling.

So I decided to go all out and regeared to 4.56, changed tires to fairly light 315/70-17 K02s with proper width light 17x8.5 wheels. Now that transformed the Jeep completely. Driving a Jeep that drives as well as it looks, delivers a level of satisfaction that you have to experience to understand.

As an example, last summer with my 4.56 and 35s, I relived and recognized the same feeling I did With 305s on stock 3.45 gearing…… I was pulling a trailer with 1 ton of rock dust for a project at home.

Thanks again. Yeah, it looks like I have little choice but to avoid the 295's, and instead go with light weight 285's, as I'm not prepared right now to change the gearing.

 

[Steph1]

Thanks again. Yeah, it looks like I have little choice but to avoid the 295's, and instead go with light weight 285's, as I'm not prepared right now to change the gearing.

Very wise choice?

 

[CreepyCrepe]

Thanks again. Yeah, it looks like I have little choice but to avoid the 295's, and instead go with light weight 285's, as I'm not prepared right now to change the gearing.

You're going to find a lot more options in the 285/70r17 size as well.

 

[Rpk99]

Greeting everyone. I am a new Jeep owner with a 2023 JLU Willys, with the 3.6 V6 and the 3.45 rear end. This is our first Jeep, and very happy with our decision to buy the Jeep over the Bronco.

We're changing all 5 wheels and tires from the 255/75-15's and have ordered Fuel Beast rims, in 17x9 with +1 offset.. But, I'm still undecided about the tires, Also, I removed the rock rails and replaced them with Mopar steps, so my wife can get into the cab (I prefer the rails). Also have no plans on a lift.

I was planning the buy 295/70-17 instead of the more common 285/70-17, because they're true 33 inch and have a bit extra width. I decided against the 305's because of rolling resistance and weight.

I went with the +1 offset because, although I want the wheels to stick out from the fenders, a trial fit of the -12 rims without a tire, looked too much. The 295's should stick out just over 2 inches at the sidewall and 1 inch at the tread.

The new rims weigh 36lbs, and the stock wheels with tires weigh 73lbs. That doesn't leave a lot of room for the added tire weight, so I'm now looking closely at the weight of the new tires.

i was thinking about fitting the BFG KO2' because, of the few tires in the 295 size, they have the widest treed. Yes, it's all about appearance. But, the KO2's weigh 62lbs, and with a total weight of 100lbs, will add 27lbs to each wheel. Also, all 295's are E rated, and comments here indicate they will give a hard ride.

So (sorry to take so long) finally to the question. What's the opinion on the added weight. How do you think adding 26lbs to each wheel will affect performance? considering the V6 and axle ratio. Should I consider going with the 285's instead? 285's have weights ranging upwards of 55lbs, plus that size gives a much larger selection of tires.

Any photo's, or links to photo's, of similar setups would be very helpful.

Thanks a lot.

Why so worried about the weight? If you're worried about it for the performance (on a wrangler) you bought the wrong vehicle. I would be more worried hanging the extra weight on the tailgate, but there's always reinforcement or delete options for that. I stuck with the 285s because they're more popular. I read reviews on tires for their ride and reliability. I bought wheels with -12 offset with 285/70R17 Kenda Klever AT2 and I think it looks good(just my opinion) and rides way better than stock.
If you're going for looks do what makes you happy. Don't over think it.

 

[Slimey Liney]

Why so worried about the weight? If you're worried about it for the performance (on a wrangler) you bought the wrong vehicle. I would be more worried hanging the extra weight on the tailgate, but there's always reinforcement or delete options for that. I stuck with the 285s because they're more popular. I read reviews on tires for their ride and reliability. I bought wheels with -12 offset with 285/70R17 Kenda Klever AT2 and I think it looks good(just my opinion) and rides way better than stock.
If you're going for looks do what makes you happy. Don't over think it.

Certainly, I'm not looking for the Wrangler to be a performance vehicle. This is about appearance. But, I asked the questions about weight because I've seen posts commenting that the extra weight of larger and heavier wheels has a major affect on performance, such as not being able to stay in 8th gear, and even 7th gear on a level road. And, as I'm about to spend over $3700 on this mod, I want to get it right. And considering that the Willys has the 3.45 axles, I would like to get some idea of what going from 73lbs to 100lbs on each wheel will do. I don't know if adding approx 100 total pounds to 4 wheels is the same as 100lb of cargo, or if rotational loading one the wheels is worse.

BTW, those wheels look great, and is making me regret not going with the -12's. Do you have rear view and front views showing the protrusion? It's not too late for me to change.
Thanks for your advice.

 

[Slimey Liney]

You're going to find a lot more options in the 285/70r17 size as well.

Yeah. I know, I've checked on Tirerack, and they don't show all the brands. It looks like the extra 10mm of width on the 295's is not worth the bother.

 

[Rpk99]

Certainly, I'm not looking for the Wrangler to be a performance vehicle. This is about appearance. But, I asked the questions about weight because I've seen posts commenting that the extra weight of larger and heavier wheels has a major affect on performance, such as not being able to stay in 8th gear, and even 7th gear on a level road. And, as I'm about to spend over $3700 on this mod, I want to get it right. And considering that the Willys has the 3.45 axles, I would like to get some idea of what going from 73lbs to 100lbs on each wheel will do. I don't know if adding approx 100 total pounds to 4 wheels is the same as 100lb of cargo, or if rotational loading one the wheels is worse.

BTW, those wheels look great, and is making me regret not going with the -12's. Do you have rear view and front views showing the protrusion? It's not too late for me to change.
Thanks for your advice.

I see now what you mean. I dont think it's so much in the weight as it is in the tire size. I've read people regearing when they get to a 35 or bigger tire. I haven't had any issues with mine running these 285s. And yes, with the sport I have the same gear ratio as your willys. I will say the ride quality improved in mine going to this set up. We use ours for long road trips too without problems.
Can't find any pics from the back but here's a couple more. I dont think they stick out too terrible bad. And without a lift this is the look I was going for.

 

[Slimey Liney]

I see now what you mean. I dont think it's so much in the weight as it is in the tire size. I've read people regearing when they get to a 35 or bigger tire. I haven't had any issues with mine running these 285s. And yes, with the sport I have the same gear ratio as your willys. I will say the ride quality improved in mine going to this set up. We use ours for long road trips too without problems.
Can't find any pics from the back but here's a couple more. I dont think they stick out too terrible bad. And without a lift this is the look I was going for.

Thanks again.
Those wheels look perfect, but not what I thought the -12's would look like. As said, when I tried just the -12 rim, it did not have a tire fitted.
Are they 17 x 9's? And are your tires LT or P rated?
I think that I might have miscalculated when changing to the +1's. Although, my calculations were based on using a 295 which adds 5mm to the outside compared with 285's, resulting in only a 7mm difference to your setup.
Which wheels did you buy?
And, I admit I over analyze, but that's the Engineer in me. LOL.

Thanks.

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