17s is the best way to go if you ever decided on doing upgrades... Plus i believe its a bit more challenging to find tires for 15s & 16s.

 

That equals about a 32" tire, which is what mine came with stock on 17" wheels. If you're buying new wheels and get the proper backspacing you can go a little larger. I did 35" tires on the stock wheels with a 1.25" wheel spacer and only barely rubbed the fenders during light wheeling...however it did have to trim a little off the air dam to keep that from rubbing while turning on road. I replaced my stock fenders with cheap flat steel fenders (after going fenderless for a while, but I didn't like the looks) and barely rub while doing some moderate wheeling.

So...yes that is probably accurate. BUT, if you don't plan on flexing out the suspension and have proper backspacing/wheel spacers you can go a little larger.

 

 

A 285/75-16 is basically a 33x11.50 tire. Another option is the 305/70-16 which is basically a 33x12.50 tire. Fitment will depend on what wheels (width and backspacing) you use. Here's a pic of my JKU when it was new with a 2" Daystar budget boost and 33x12.50's on 17x9 inch wheels with 4.5 inches of backspacing.


by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152316443@N07/, on Flickr


by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152316443@N07/, on Flickr

 

16" wheels will fit no problem, my '17 JK came with 16's from the factory. 285/75/16 will fit, but will probably rub unless you use wheel spacers and cut the fenders.

 

Let's be sure we're discussing with the same terminology. There are two types of spacers that are routinely discussed on this forum. The first are spacers related to a lift. The second are spacers relating to wheel backspacing. If you buy wheels with 4.5" backspacing (or close), then you won't need wheel spacers. The backspacing takes care of that. However, depending on your tire size, you may need some lift, which could come from either a spacer or a coil lift. The former is just spacers added onto your OEM springs. The latter are new, taller springs. Taller springs are better off road performance wise, but pricier. However, if you plan to just crawl the malls, then a spacer lift is an inexpensive way to get the height at minimal cost. At the end of the day, depending on the exact tires (not just the size--not all tires the same rated size are actually the same size in reality), wheel backspacing, lift, and whether you disconnect the front swaybar, then you may find you need to do a bit of trimming here and there, or maybe install a washer or two to limit steering. As the years progressed for the JK, Jeep took it on themselves to actually fix a few things that were problems for earlier years--such as the rear wheelwell opening pinchseam. So, some of the advice you get may not be perfectly correct for your Jeep. At the end of the day, you'll have to make up your mind what you wish to do and go for it.

 

 

With 5 inches of BS, you may get some minor rubbing on the lower control arms at full steering lock. This is why most JK owners use wheels with 4.5 inches of BS.