Wheel width/tire model questions - 8.0 vs 8.5 ; LT315/70R17 vs 35x12.5R17

[Burma Jones]

Preamble: I just purchased a '21 Gladiator Rubicon Diesel, my 1st Jeep and 1st time even looking at aftermarket wheels so virgin territory for me. I am stepping up to 35's, either the Falken Wildpeak MT or Nitto Ridge, and am trying to make decision on wheels, presuming my stock 7.5 width wheels will not cut it.

Questions: Does it matter whether I get 8.0 or 8.5" wheels? What are the technicl differences to consider between the two models of 35s offered by each?

Nitto's website says (if I read it right) that the LT315/70R17 can go on 8", but lower end of band, and the 35x12.5R17 gives range starting at 8.5". Falken has exact same sizes and specs. I read online people discussing their tires and it seems many are running the tires that call for min 8.5" with 8.0" wheels. Based on hypothesis that Mopar wheels would come with "Gladiator suited" fit (offset etc.) I am looking at their wheels and like two of them a lot. One set is 8.5" (non-bead capable) width and the others are 8.0" (bead capable). I have no intention of running beads or moving up in size anytime soon. I am putting on the 35s and only if I feel the need afterwards would add a lift.

I'm sure my questions are clear as mud and I thank you for suffering through them. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

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[brianinca]

I and many MANY other people run 315/70R17's on the factory 7.5" wide wheels. I like the factory look, myself, and they're Hell for strong wheels.

Heck, I like the JK Rubicon wheels, they look amazing on an XJ, and I bought a set to run the factory Falkens on my YJ (not so hot looking IMO). A buddy has a set on his WJ, they look tough. He's running 315/70R17 Falken MT's, you can see it's not a problem with a 7.5" wide wheel.

The guideline of "wheels no more than 4 inches smaller than section width" is just that, a guideline. You're not doing something extreme like 12.5" wide tires on 6" wide wheels.

 

[Burma Jones]

Preamble: I just purchased a '21 Gladiator Rubicon Diesel, my 1st Jeep and 1st time even looking at aftermarket wheels so virgin territory for me. I am stepping up to 35's, either the Falken Wildpeak MT or Nitto Ridge, and am trying to make decision on wheels, presuming my stock 7.5 width wheels will not cut it.

Questions: Does it matter whether I get 8.0 or 8.5" wheels? What are the technicl differences to consider between the two models of 35s offered by each?

Nitto's website says (if I read it right) that the LT315/70R17 can go on 8", but lower end of band, and the 35x12.5R17 gives range starting at 8.5". Falken has exact same sizes and specs. I read online people discussing their tires and it seems many are running the tires that call for min 8.5" with 8.0" wheels. Based on hypothesis that Mopar wheels would come with "Gladiator suited" fit (offset etc.) I am looking at their wheels and like two of them a lot. One set is 8.5" (non-bead capable) width and the others are 8.0" (bead capable). I have no intention of running beads or moving up in size anytime soon. I am putting on the 35s and only if I feel the need afterwards would add a lift.

I'm sure my questions are clear as mud and I thank you for suffering through them. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

OK, sorry. It appears there are many threads covering this territory to one degree or another. My inital search didn't turn them up but now I see quite a few.

 

[Burma Jones]

I and many MANY other people run 315/70R17's on the factory 7.5" wide wheels. I like the factory look, myself, and they're Hell for strong wheels.

Heck, I like the JK Rubicon wheels, they look amazing on an XJ, and I bought a set to run the factory Falkens on my YJ (not so hot looking IMO). A buddy has a set on his WJ, they look tough. He's running 315/70R17 Falken MT's, you can see it's not a problem with a 7.5" wide wheel.

The guideline of "wheels no more than 4 inches smaller than section width" is just that, a guideline. You're not doing something extreme like 12.5" wide tires on 6" wide wheels.

Awesome, thanks for that. So these are guidelines not hard and fast rules to live by then.

 

[Spartan65]

Being a former DTC Guy, I did push recommended (remember that word) or Suggested for that matter.
Rim Range.

On a LT sized tire, The section width should equate to the numeric ie... 12.50, 13.50 etc... ( The industry rule of thumb is that for every 1/2" change in rim width, the tire's section width will correspondingly change by approximately 2/10". )

On a Pmetric size tire, ie.... p315 divided by 25.4 equals 12.40 of a tires' section width, sidewall to sidewall inflated to recommended psi for weight capacity........

my .02 if wear is close to the top of your expectations.
a. chalk your tires no matter what you decide to do.
b. stay close to a ratio of 2.75-3.25 of deflection, the measurement difference that protects the rim flange? (These usually need to be run @ lower psi to find acceptable wear habits)

Hope this info answers and doesn't confuse. Here is my RhinoCon Below

17x8.5 0et Zero Offset Warn Industries #MoonsaultWheels
35x12.50-17 Falken #WildPeakMT
Prior to a Daystar 1.5

 

[Burma Jones]

Being a former DTC Guy, I did push recommended (remember that word) or Suggested for that matter.
Rim Range.

On a LT sized tire, The section width should equate to the numeric ie... 12.50, 13.50 etc... ( The industry rule of thumb is that for every 1/2" change in rim width, the tire's section width will correspondingly change by approximately 2/10". )

On a Pmetric size tire, ie.... p315 divided by 25.4 equals 12.40 of a tires' section width, sidewall to sidewall inflated to recommended psi for weight capacity........

my .02 if wear is close to the top of your expectations.
a. chalk your tires no matter what you decide to do.
b. stay close to a ratio of 2.75-3.25 of deflection, the measurement difference that protects the rim flange? (These usually need to be run @ lower psi to find acceptable wear habits)

Hope this info answers and doesn't confuse. Here is my RhinoCon Below

17x8.5 0et Zero Offset Warn Industries #MoonsaultWheels
35x12.50-17 Falken #WildPeakMT
Prior to a Daystar 1.5

OK, I am going to read this a few more times and hope to someday understand. Slick looking JT my man!

 

[Aonarch]

I'd still stick to the tire manufacturers width ratings.

Too narrow of a wheel with cause the tire to crown, decreasing the contact patch, and increasing premature wear in the center.

I'm on a 8" wide wheel running 315/70/17 KO2s. Also tires don't always measure to their advertised size. My KO2s measure 34.5" loaded at 36 psi, which is actually pretty tall. I'm thinking the 8" wide wheel is the main reason why.

YRMV

 

[brianinca]

I kept my OEM Rubicon 7.5" wide wheels when I put 315/70R17 BFG KO2's on my JTR. Since that's the exact measurement I took with a level (34.5"), and the size I used to adjust my speedo with a Tazer, the wheel width probably doesn't have as much impact as you think.

I've got 17K on these tires and no weird wear, rotated every oil change.

I'd still stick to the tire manufacturers width ratings.

Too narrow of a wheel with cause the tire to crown, decreasing the contact patch, and increasing premature wear in the center.

I'm on a 8" wide wheel running 315/70/17 KO2s. Also tires don't always measure to their advertised size. My KO2s measure 34.5" loaded at 36 psi, which is actually pretty tall. I'm thinking the 8" wide wheel is the main reason why.

YRMV

 

[Burma Jones]

I'd still stick to the tire manufacturers width ratings.

Too narrow of a wheel with cause the tire to crown, decreasing the contact patch, and increasing premature wear in the center.

I'm on a 8" wide wheel running 315/70/17 KO2s. Also tires don't always measure to their advertised size. My KO2s measure 34.5" loaded at 36 psi, which is actually pretty tall. I'm thinking the 8" wide wheel is the main reason why.

YRMV

Are you saying you think your 8" wheels are too narrow?

 

[FutureOdin]

I kept my OEM Rubicon 7.5" wide wheels when I put 315/70R17 BFG KO2's on my JTR. Since that's the exact measurement I took with a level (34.5"), and the size I used to adjust my speedo with a Tazer, the wheel width probably doesn't have as much impact as you think.

I've got 17K on these tires and no weird wear, rotated every oil change.

What PSI do you run them at?

 

[mmatthie]

I'd still stick to the tire manufacturers width ratings.

Too narrow of a wheel with cause the tire to crown, decreasing the contact patch, and increasing premature wear in the center.

I'm on a 8" wide wheel running 315/70/17 KO2s. Also tires don't always measure to their advertised size. My KO2s measure 34.5" loaded at 36 psi, which is actually pretty tall. I'm thinking the 8" wide wheel is the main reason why.

YRMV

Wow you run your 35" KO2s at 36 psi?

Costco installers have my 33" KO2s at 53 psi! Is that not right? I was always concerned about that, but 2 managers recommended it.

Thoughts?

 

[Aonarch]

Wow you run your 35" KO2s at 36 psi?

Costco installers have my 33" KO2s at 53 psi! Is that not right? I was always concerned about that, but 2 managers recommended it.

Thoughts?

That is way to high for load range C.

What load range do you have?

I think C has a Max PSI of 44 anyways.

 

[Aonarch]

Are you saying you think your 8" wheels are too narrow?

No 8" are the minimum recommended for my tires. So it's fine.

 

[mmatthie]

That is way to high for load range C.

What load range do you have?

I think C has a Max PSI of 44 anyways.

Is this why my ride sucks (bumpy) so much? I'm assuming I lost some mileage on them due to this as well.

 

[mmatthie]

That is way to high for load range C.

What load range do you have?

I think C has a Max PSI of 44 anyways.

https://tires.costco.com/Product?It...a-ko2&partno=24481&width=285&aspect=70&rim=17

...says Max is 50!

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