15 inch Wheels

[bleda2002]

you're talking a 1 inch sidewall difference between 35s on 17s vs 35s on 15s or 37s on 17s.

Before you go nuts modifying brakes to be smaller or throwing a lift on just to fit 37s, think about whether you really need 10 inches of sidewall THAT much. For most people, 9 inches is more than enough.

Ignore this logic, 37s are a must, this is the way.

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[dcmdon]

That sounds like a lot of work, lol. As others have mentioned, I may head down the path of 37's and a lift.

Smaller brakes have problems on the road also. Warped rotors sure to follow. Small rotors are fine off road at low speed because the kinetic energy of the vehicle varies as a square of the speed. So off road, even the tiniest brakes if properly set up are all you need.

To put it another way, at 60 mph your vehicle has 16 times as much kinetic energy as it does at 15 mph. That means your brakes need to dissipate (turn into heat) 16 times as much energy.

 

[Snow-Jave!]

Older thread, but I would like to pick it up for a couple reasons: $ and $$. 16" tires are cheaper then 17". And smaller tires=less rotating mass=better mileage. Note off roading is not a concern for me, I just drive on paved roads and tow trailers about.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Older thread, but I would like to pick it up for a couple reasons: $ and $$. 16" tires are cheaper then 17". And smaller tires=less rotating mass=better mileage. Note off roading is not a concern for me, I just drive on paved roads and tow trailers about.

Usually you put the same diameter tires on. Would you also go to a smaller tire?

Tires for 16” wheels are becoming less common. You’ll likely limit your choices. And they are often load range D or E.

I would not use 16” wheels even if it was possible.

 

[HooliganActual]

Older thread, but I would like to pick it up for a couple reasons: $ and $$. 16" tires are cheaper then 17". And smaller tires=less rotating mass=better mileage. Note off roading is not a concern for me, I just drive on paved roads and tow trailers about.

First off, I'll admit that I did not read every post before yours since it is an old thread...but...

I suspect you will be lucky to find a 16" wheel that would work without having to put smaller brakes on. I have no specific knowledge to that but when I bought my JTR in 2020, I was looking to put larger brakes on because I was planning a heavy build and had great success with the Dynatrac Big Brake Kit, front and rear, on my 2016 JKUR which used to be my overlander. Every shop and parts outlet that I talked to (at that time) said there was "no way to put larger brakes in without moving up to a larger wheel because that 17" wheel is STUFFED". Now I realize that is hearsay, but it was the only info I was getting and I was getting it from everyone. With that said, I can infer that if you can't fit bigger brake parts into the 17" wheel, I doubt you could fit a 16" wheel over what's already there without moving down in size. I can definitively tell you that the rotor and calipers on my 2020 JTR are physically waaayyy bigger than the same setup on my 2016 JKUR and 2018 JKUR.

More importantly, and sorry for this long dissertation, have you talked to any local tire shops about the availability of 16" tires? Personally, I would advise anyone thinking of moving from 17" to 16" not to because 16" tires are going the way of the dinosaur. Sure, you might be able to get them ordered in right now, but I would be concerned about having a tire failure out in the field or way down the road somewhere and not being able to find a readily available replacement somewhere. Same goes for 15" and 18" tires too.

It may seem far-fetched but I have shredded a tire on a trail a few states away from home, installed the spare and then had to buy a replacement in the first town I came to. $h!t happens...

 

[ScottBeach]

15 fit fine. Just remove the brake calipers and "send it"

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