Kevin123

I am thinking of running this setup. the wheels I can get in either a 17x9 w/4.5 BS or 17x8.5 w/5.5 BS, the tires are 33x12.5 17 Dick Cepek mud terrian. Has anyone ran either one of these? pros and cons of the tire, is it loud, hard, heavy I think the tire is a D rated 8ply. So before I spend 1800 to 2200 I would love input.

Thanks

Kevin123

Does anyone at least have any comments on the tires? I know the wheel are new to the market.

BlackRockBurner

On the wheels go with the 4.5" backspace so you won't have issues with clearing suspension components. I don't have experience on the tires other than I ran 33s for three years. I'm sure you will get suggestions to go to 35s, but if you don't need them other than for image, 33s work fine.

Kevin123

Hey thanks for the reply. if i decide to stay with stock wheel what size spacer will need to fit the 12.50's on without any clearance issues?

BlackRockBurner

I used Spidertracks 1.5" spacer on stock 18" Gladiators: it brought the backspace to about 4.5". Just buy quality spacers. The most important thing when installing aftermarket wheels or spacers is to remove the lock washers on the rotors. This is very important. The washers were used in the factory for assembling purpose only. So remove and throw away the lock washers.

With proper backspace and centered axels you can go with 33" tires with no lift: 35" tires with 2.5" lift and the right bump stops.

If you do go with a wide tire and no lift, you may have to adjust your steer stops since your rubber may make contact with your control arms.

Now, with a more aggressive tread, understand that rolling resistance will diminish mpg. And a bigger tire reduces low end response.
Good luck.

Kevin123

Yea, I have the 2" Rusty's springs with Bilstein shocks. My 12 has 3.21 gears for now, but if 33's become a problem I will change them out to 4.10's I just can't decide if i want to replace my wheels now or run the black stock with spacers.

BlackRockBurner

It seems like you want to stick with a 33" tire due to gearing and the trails you hit. Nothing at all wrong with that. Too many make a big thing about 33"vs. 35". Have you considered going to a 15" aluminum rim? In the long run, after a few sets of tires, you can save thousands. There's a Discount Tire thread outlining the positives about 15" rims.

Kevin123

yea I thought about 15's, but they just don't make a variaty of rims with our bolt pattern "that I've seen" to choose from. 33's have always been a size that worked for me where I go wheeling, the only reason I put 35's on my four door was because I thought that it looked better, but on a 2 door my preference is 33's. I will look at the 15's a little harder.