If you are patient you can find rubi tires and wheels for around $400 a set

 

I was in your spot a while back and agreed- $1200 to jump wasn't worth it.

The width/ height is a tricky battle. For max gas mileage you'd want skinny tires but then it feels a little flighty on the interstate. The tall tires will allow you to get to the bottom of the mud and 'grab' to get through it. But choices are limited with super skinny tires. I do 32k miles per year so I went 265/70-17 as a good mix of taller than the 225's and also good highway manners. I also had the 15" wheels for a while because tires were cheaper but the tire size I was looking for was limited in options for 15's so I went with the 17's I had in the garage.

Look into the goodyear duratrac or bfg all terrain if you want a good highway/ everyday tire that will also do well out on the light trails. I do substantially more highway so I went with an even more street friendly tire that was cheaper than the two listed above.

 

I've created a bookmark folder for sites and items of interest.

Thanks, I'm sure I'll have fun.

Keep the rubber side down!

 

What condition tires can you get on a deal like that? Are these new/nearly new, 50% tread left.... ?

 

Looks like I'll have 16" rims. I not likely going to do a swap at the Jeep dealer. The order is into the factory already, so here come my 16's.

I'm not expecting deep mud, like I see on some online video's, but more than you can take the average family sedan through.

The local club website mentioned 31" tires for "medium trails". At this stage I have no idea what there idea of "medium" is. I thought "trail rated" meant the Rubicon trail, which was "difficult". If a Cherokee Trailhawk is trail rated, and they don't pull the trail rated badge off a Wrangler Sport with the 225/75R16 tires... well it seems a little confusing to a total newbie. I'm getting a sense that all "difficults" don't share the same difficulties. From what I read the Rubicon trail is "difficult". I just found an online site listing a trail near Ottawa Ontario with the surprising name of the Californai Road ( see below), with two stars**, and a description of "at least 12" clearance. Wow - that's more than any stock Jeep or Truck I've ever heard of. If thats a two star, whats the


"Believe it or not, California Road exists. It is found in the Municipality of Lanark Highlands, in Darling Ward, south of White Lake. Although this road is well recognized and publicized on local maps and, it has a long history in the annuals of local settlement, it goes through some very wild Canadian Shield country and is a very rough, unmaintained road, passable only with any vehicle that has at least twelve inches clearance. California Road makes a very good walking trail. "

Seems not everybody believes the twelve inches of clearance. Perhaps I'll go an measure.

 

I picked up a set with about 85% tread about 6 weeks ago and have seen 2 or 3 sets on craigslist since then in the $400-$500 range for like new tires.

 

Great!

Was that tires & rims, or just the tires?

 

Tires and rims.

 

i will be taking your advice. i have the 3.21 gears unfortunately i was dumb and didnt do much research prior. even worse is i got the lifetime warranty as well. so i am going to be verrrrry picky with what i do. rubi take offs are definately the first especially that i found a local guy selling 5 for 750 with 1k miles on them.

 

$750 is a great price with those miles. Cant beat that.