Will this wheel tire setup work on a XR?

[MVOffroad]

So after much deliberation I've landed on the Kenda Klever RTs 37x12.5R17 and the teraflex nomad deluxe 17x8.5 with 4.75" backspacing. I have the XR Rubicon. Is this an appropriate setup?

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[Caliguy]

It should work no problem. The 8.5” wide wheel on a 12” wide tire should be ok. Backspacing and tire size I think doesn’t rub in most situations (maybe rear fender)

 

[MVOffroad]

It should work no problem. The 8.5” wide wheel on a 12” wide tire should be ok. Backspacing and tire size I think doesn’t rub in most situations (maybe rear fender)

Would it be better to have wider than 8.5"?

 

[Caliguy]

Would it be better to have wider than 8.5"?

maybe others can chime in but I think a 10” wheel is more optimal for a 12.5 tire

 

[GATORB8]

Would it be better to have wider than 8.5"?

Meh, some trade offs either way. There are some minimal effects on section width, but you're also getting the wheel face closer to the sidewall, so it's a little more exposed to rock rash.

 

[Headbarcode]

Would it be better to have wider than 8.5"?

Many here are having zero issues with 12.5" wide tires on the factory 7.5" wide wheels. I have 13.5's on 9" wide wheels and zero issues. A wider than necessary wheel will only add extra weight to the wheel and tire assembly. You'll be fine with the 8.5's.

 

[JT1]

maybe others can chime in but I think a 10” wheel is more optimal for a 12.5 tire

If you air down and don't use a beadlock wheel, a wider wheel will lose a bead easier. IF you are low speed in sand or soft dirt, no issue. But if you run soft sand at speed or rocks, I would stick with a 9" or narrower wheel.

 

[3TV]

maybe others can chime in but I think a 10” wheel is more optimal for a 12.5 tire

I agree. A 10" wide wheel is more optimal for a 12.5" wide tire. I had 37x12.50R-17 Cooper STT Pro tires mounted on the OEM wheels that came on my 392 XR. The OEM XR wheels are actually 17x8 when used in the non-beadlock position, and 17x 8.5 if used in the beadlock position. 17x8 wheels will work on a 12.5" wide tire, but it is not optimal width. I changed to 17x10 wheels, and the tires fit the wheels much better.

 

[Caliguy]

If you air down and don't use a beadlock wheel, a wider wheel will lose a bead easier. IF you are low speed in sand or soft dirt, no issue. But if you run soft sand at speed or rocks, I would stick with a 9" or narrower wheel.

I’m not sure a wider wheel will lose a bead easier. If you think about it, a narrower wheel has to stretch the tire further to hold its bead which would mean it’s under more tension than the wider wheel and vm the added tension pulls or pushes it off the bead.

I guess the counter argument would be that the added tension holds it onto the bead tighter and less likely to let go. Hmmm

 

[JT1]

I’m not sure a wider wheel will lose a bead easier. If you think about it, a narrower wheel has to stretch the tire further to hold its bead which would mean it’s under more tension than the wider wheel and vm the added tension pulls or pushes it off the bead.

I guess the counter argument would be that the added tension holds it onto the bead tighter and less likely to let go. Hmmm

Some of it depends on how far you air down too.. at 20psi, none of it matters. At 9, I'd want the narrow wheel.

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