Papa Surf

It looks like (5) 285/70R17 BFGs with 4 wheel spacers will run me about $1,700.

(5) 33 x 12.5 R15 BFGs would be around $1,100.

If I could find (5) cheap 15" rims with backspacing for around $600 is there any reason why for the same price it would be better to go the stock 17" w/ spacer route instead?

sully151

You may want the 17's when you decide that you need 35's

JCKnauer22

i'm going with 15" steelies when i go to 35's. i can get wheels with the proper backspacing (so i don't have to mess with spacers), a cheaper set of tires, more sidewall, and what i think is a better look on my jeep. plus i broke one of my stock wheels so in my case, it's a no brainer

JocKy

Maybe consider 16" ProComp Alloys?
They are lighter than the 15" steelies and tires are cheaper than 17's as well.
They usually come in 4" Back Spacing.
The down side is there are not a lot of options over 35's for 16" wheel unless you like BFG KM2's which you can get 37's in 16" wheel size.

17's are the best bet if you are going bigger rubber down the road. Truxt me I run 16's and am looking at 37's now.

7069 16" with 4" BS (Flat Black Alloys) picked them up for 100 bucks each

DeepSeaRufio

I sold my rims and tires 15x10 and 33x12.5's for 400 bucks.. should have been on sooner

SoupSandwich

I got 17in Black Rock steelies for $74 each. Cheapest I could find.

CJ7nvrstk

A fellow board member here was telling me that discountiredirect had a special for board members along the lines of $1500 for a 35x12.50-15 tire/wheel combo.

I like my 15" wheels btw.

Wannabewheeler

I though 15's would not fit JK's. That changes things.

snowbilt

I am planning on going down to 15in crager soft 8s w 35's myself....one of my jeep club members has them and it looks good, plus the extra sidewall when airing down. 35s is as big as I'm going to go unless I win the lottery so I can go balls out with Dana 60s and 40s

Rhino64

You might want to stay with the larger dia. for a couple of reasons less side wall flex will give you better road manners. If you play in the rocks less chance of puncturing the side wall.