Downsizing tires

[Jab16]

Im a new Jeep owner I recently purchased a 2018 Wrangler Sport s JL. I bought it with what they said is a 3in lift on 37x12.50R22. I’m not very knowledgeable on tires or rims I like the way the big tires look but I don’t have deep enough pockets to fix problems that the 37s may cause. I want to downsize but also want a nice look with the lift. What are some recommendations for tire and possibly rim sizes that will have the Jeep riding a bit smoother and also look good with the lift?

Sponsored

 

[WontonJLUR]

If you're sticking to on-road driving only, the 37s won't likely cause many problems unless you're flooring it every time the light turns green.

35s on a 17" wheel will likely look good on your setup, though it may take some time to get used to the way the smaller tire looks.

I wouldn't go any smaller than 35s unless you also plan to go back to the stock suspension.

 

[fat_head]

You won't cause any damage by driving on 37's if you're staying on pavement. You talk about ride quality, which is a legit concern. What kind of lift does it have? That can impact your ride quality as well as those... very urban wheels/tire combo.

 

[WontonJLUR]

You won't cause any damage by driving on 37's if you're staying on pavement. You talk about ride quality, which is a legit concern. What kind of lift does it have? That can impact your ride quality as well as those... very urban wheels/tire combo.

That's an extremely polite way to describe them!

 

[blueweb]

possibly rim sizes that will have the Jeep riding a bit smoother

The smaller the wheel size and the larger the tire, the more comfortable the ride will become. What you could do is sell the current tires/wheels you have and buy some stock of JL Rubicon tires and wheels. People are constantly trying to get rid of those. They are 33s, and you can always upgrade to a bigger tire down the road.

 

[LiveToWork]

If 37s eventually cause damage then that means a 35 will also cause damage not long after. Just keep it how it looks because the cost to buy new tires/wheels are going to cost more than any problem a 37 will create.

but i do have a suggestion. Take that little plastic piece off that connects from your fender to your bumper ?

 

[Arterius2]

Damn those wheels stick out of the fenders way too much, makes having fenders pointless.

I'd try to tuck those wheels in a bit more. And lose that plastic bridge between the front bumper and fender.

 

[blueweb]

Just keep it how it looks because the cost to buy new tires/wheels are going to cost more than any problem a 37 will create.

Have you added up the cost of having to buy one or more of the following: axle shafts, u-joints, pinion gear, axle housing? You are going to break stuff if you go off-roading with 37s on a set of stock Dana 30/35. Not to mention the cost of recovery and a tow truck, since you won't be able to drive out of the trail. If you are the type of person who loves to bring a trail ride to a screeching halt while you fix yet another broken shaft, then by all means carry a bunch of spare parts. Otherwise, the solution is a complete axle swap or switch to a smaller tire size.

 

[WontonJLUR]

Have you added up the cost of having to buy one or more of the following: axle shafts, u-joints, pinion gear, axle housing? You are going to break stuff if you go off-roading with 37s on a set of stock Dana 30/35. Not to mention the cost of recovery and a tow truck, since you won't be able to drive out of the trail. If you are the type of person who loves to bring a trail ride to a screeching halt while you fix yet another broken shaft, then by all means carry a bunch of spare parts. Otherwise, the solution is a complete axle swap or switch to a smaller tire size.

Lol, you're not wrong, but the OP never mentioned his desire to do any kind of serious wheeling. I'd personally venture to guess that someone who buys a Jeep with those wheels has very little interest in going off-road much.

 

[LiveToWork]

Have you added up the cost of having to buy one or more of the following: axle shafts, u-joints, pinion gear, axle housing? You are going to break stuff if you go off-roading with 37s on a set of stock Dana 30/35. Not to mention the cost of recovery and a tow truck, since you won't be able to drive out of the trail. If you are the type of person who loves to bring a trail ride to a screeching halt while you fix yet another broken shaft, then by all means carry a bunch of spare parts. Otherwise, the solution is a complete axle swap or switch to a smaller tire size.

I figure cost is 6 grand minimum for new wheels and tires. Maybe 5k if you cheap right out. And this guy has 22s on his jeep with what looks like an A/T tread. Im gonna assume he wasnt plaaning on going off road.

 

[WontonJLUR]

I figure cost is 6 grand minimum for new wheels and tires. Maybe 5k if you cheap right out. And this guy has 22s on his jeep with what looks like an A/T tread. Im gonna assume he wasnt plaaning on going off road.

Are you talking in Canadian dollars? 6k is absurd for wheels and tires in USD. Maybe if you went with KMC beadlocks and 40" sticky tires.

You could easily be out the door for under 3k for a set of 35s on some modest wheels.

My 39" tires cost me just over 2k for a set of 5.

 

[Jab16]

I bought the Jeep with the tires and rims it had on it with intentions of changing them. That is the reason behind asking what tire and rims size other would recommend

 

[WontonJLUR]

I bought the Jeep with the tires and rims it had on it with intentions of changing them. That is the reason behind asking what tire and rims size other would recommend

Offroad tires in most outside diameters are cheaper on a 17" wheel. I had a buddy buy some 18" wheels because he thought they looked cool, but then kicked himself when he had to replace the tires. Same size tires (37s in this case) were considerably more expensive for an 18" wheel than the same tire on a 17" wheel. Also more options across the board with a 17" wheel

 

[LiveToWork]

Are you talking in Canadian dollars? 6k is absurd for wheels and tires in USD. Maybe if you went with KMC beadlocks and 40" sticky tires.

You could easily be out the door for under 3k for a set of 35s on some modest wheels.

My 39" tires cost me just over 2k for a set of 5.

Yes in CAD. And what the fuck 2k for a set of 5!? My 35/13.50r17. mickey thompsons just cost me 3k for 5. Im curious what you pay for wheels. General rule of thumb here is 500/tire after you hit 33s, and 450-500+ per wheel even if youre looking at something mass produced like fuel

 

[WontonJLUR]

Yes in CAD. And what the fuck 2k for a set of 5!? My 35/13.50r17. mickey thompsons just cost me 3k for 5. Im curious what you pay for wheels. General rule of thumb here is 500/tire after you hit 33s, and 450-500+ per wheel even if youre looking at something mass produced like fuel

I got a slightly better price than MSRP because I have some connections, but it wasn't crazy cheap. I think the MSRP on the tires is like 419 or something and I paid 391 per tire before tax.

I have DV8 beadlocks, I got them before they were more "popular" so I think I paid like 250 per wheel for them. If I wanted to go with a big name brand like KMC then it would be 400+ per wheel, but that's for some beadlocks.

There are a ton of options for non-beadlock wheels for under 200 bucks (at least for us in the US)

Sponsored