wwu4life

I've got a silver '08 X 2dr (3.73 gears), and really like the looks of the procomp 8179 matched with an agressive tire. Cannot decide on 16s or 17s though.

This will be matched up with 33' tires. I've been eyeing Cooper SSTs which come in 285/75/16s and 285/70/17s, along with Toyo MTs which come in 285/75/16s and 295/70/17 (this size might be too big to run on stock stance though...and I'm not looking to lift at least not for a while).

I'm not looking to go off-roading a lot, but I do by far prefer the look of the more agressive tire/wheel combo.

Help a rookie pick out his first set of new wheels/tires!!!

huskyfargo

This doesn't answer your question, but perhaps gives you something else to think about. I too am on the road a lot, so I went with an 18" wheel with a 33" tire. I wanted a little more wheel, and I'm very, very happy with the combination. I like having a vehicle that's very capable on road, and that is also very well qualified for off road abuse. I have found that I get a little better handling and less bounce on the road. Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll love it...it's a jeep!!!

TEEJ

Have you compared the price of 17" vs 18" TIRES?

Generally, the 18" tires are more expensive for the same overall size, and, once you commit to a rim size, that's the tire cost you will be expecting as you regularly replace worn out rubber.

For off roading, the 17's are proving to be quite capable, some people are complaining that the 18" rims do not leave enough sidewall to wrap obstacles/absorb impacts, etc...untill you get into more monster meat sized rubber, where the difference is less important as far as sidewall height remaining, etc.

18" rims handle better on road, because that lower sidewall is less wishy washy.

As far as weight goes, it depends...the metal rims are heavier than the rubber tire they replace, but you are subtracting the missing rubber, so its often a wash, depending upon which tires' and which rims' specific specs.

So - I'd take a look at the above factors, and see what makes sense for you.

roketman

I'd go with 16", the wheels and tires are cheaper. The ride isn't going to be that much better for the price difference.

Newtybar

lets get some pics of 16s and 33's...especially the 8179

Ryno

Here's what I found...

Firedog73's JK:


jayerouth's JK:


The next couple Jeeps have 15" wheels.

judesign's JK:



Geeper4x4's JK:


Here's a thread with tons of pics of JKs with 33s:
Show your 33's

flyer415

Have you considered 15". Gives a more aggressive look with more tire then wheel. Cheaper. Wraps well offroad.

Nickit1981

thats the exact set up i am going to go with I think. I want 15" wheels but i am bouncing back and forth between 33"s and 35"s. I am getting the pro comp 8179 wheels and going with the cooper sts i think. i have a an RC 2.5BB currently on. If I go 35's with 15 inch wheels amd I going to be ok? Rubbing? Also I am sure this has been asked before, but has anyone had issues with 15" pro comp 8179s rubbing on the calipers. If this is a problem I may go with 16's instead and if I do that I may have to go with the 33's. This is the hardest decision i have had to make on my jeep so far.

tricked919

The only benefit I see to 17's is if there's a wheel you like that only comes in 17 - otherwise, with the quality tires we have access to, there is little to NO drivability difference and 16's are a H3LL of a lot cheaper and more options.
I've had both 16's and 17s and with as much of a pig as the wrangler is, you're not going to get any extra handling improvements with a 17.

I went with the AEV 16's and 33" Hankook Dynapro MT tires. A set of 5 (wheels and tires) cost me just over $1500. I have 25,000 miles on them without rotating and they are wearing great, they're quiet and SOLID off road. They probably have probably seen 200 miles on Tellico alone.

Nickit1981

i think that is the first sahara that I actually LIKE the looks of. Something about the flares that bug me on them. it just seems like there is no contrast at all to the jeep.