So I came across some JL rims for sale that are 17's. I'm wondering about running them on the TJ. Would I just need the adapters to make them work? And I've read we should stick with load range C tires because our TJs are light but when I'm looking at tires it looks like 17 in rims are gonna be a load range D or E tire. Is that correct? If so is there as big difference going from a C to a D or E? This is my DD so I try to keep it road friendly but I'm liking the price for these rims and thought if I end up going to 35s I wanna run a 17 in rim. Any info is appreciated
JL rims on my TJ
- Thread starter Hawkeye
- Start date
The JL is so new, hard to say exactly what adapters you need. Do you know what backspacing and lug pattern size?
There are Load Range C tires available for a 17" wheel. It is with the Rubicon's odd-size 16" wheels where LR C tires are hard if not impossible to find. Do stick with a LR C if at all possible for the TJ.
All I've gathered so far is the rims is 17×7.5 and on a JL forum someone said 4 in backspacing on they're JL
Ok thanks Jerry. I figured there had to be load range C for 17s seeing as people run JK wheels on their TJs. I just pulled up Wrangler Durstracs and Flakens and they were load D and E so it got me wondering
JL rims will fit. I see JK guys putting them on their JKs (same lug pattern), and I've got JK wheels on my TJ, so they'll fit on your TJ with standard JK wheel adapters. If they're like my JK wheels, they'll stick out past the fenders quite a ways,
What size tires are you looking to run?
Have you considered running a 15" (or 17" if you like that look) aftermarket wheel with the TJ's 5x4.5" bolt pattern so you wouldn't need the adapters? How much are the takeoff JL wheels?
No, I have Load C BFG KM2s.
If they ever need replacing I’ll likely replace them with the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R Kevlars, which are the ONLY 17” tires I’ve been able to find in Load C.
I'm currently running a 15 in rim with 33x12.5 tires. Thinking I would go to 35 in tires (not sure how wide yet) eventually and then I just seen these rims...they are asking $225 for 5 rims and I like the look of the rims.
Yikes the only tire huh well that kind of puts a damper on it. Was hoping there'd be at least a little more of a selection.
The most selection you'll find is with 15" wheels, no doubt about it.
My D load range tires actually ride amazing... way better than my E load range tires I had before, which road horribly compared to these.
If it were me and if I were stuck on the 17" size wheel, which I'm not, I'd go for the kevlar MT/R as recommend by Chris, that's my favorite tire. I'm on my second set of them in ten years of hard wear. Short of the far more expensive BFG Krawler, the kevlar reinforced Goodyear MT/R is the toughest offroad tire I've ever run. In fact it's the only tire I've never had a sidewall cut or failure on while offroading. Its kevlar reinforced sidewall is pretty much bulletproof. It's a great offroad tire that is not too loud on the highway.
https://tiresize.com/tires/Goodyear/Wrangler-MTR-with-Kevlar-35X12.50R17.htm
I'd seriously consider going with a 15" instead of a 17" size wheel, there's a ton of 35" LR C tires made for 15" wheels from everyone.... BFG, Goodyear, Falken, Nitto, etc. for 15" wheels. That's just a MUCH better size wheel in two key ways... 1) There are far more tire sizes available for it than are made for 17" wheels, and 2) you get better traction out of the same diameter tire when mounted on a 15" vs. a 17" due to having more sidewall height on the 15" size tire. More sidewall height means the tire can flex more easily over uneven low-traction terrain which means it'll have more tread gripping the terrain.
https://tiresize.com/tires/Goodyear/Wrangler-MTR-with-Kevlar-35X12.50R17.htm
I'd seriously consider going with a 15" instead of a 17" size wheel, there's a ton of 35" LR C tires made for 15" wheels from everyone.... BFG, Goodyear, Falken, Nitto, etc. for 15" wheels. That's just a MUCH better size wheel in two key ways... 1) There are far more tire sizes available for it than are made for 17" wheels, and 2) you get better traction out of the same diameter tire when mounted on a 15" vs. a 17" due to having more sidewall height on the 15" size tire. More sidewall height means the tire can flex more easily over uneven low-traction terrain which means it'll have more tread gripping the terrain.
If it were me and if I were stuck on the 17" size wheel, which I'm not, I'd go for the kevlar MT/R as recommend by Chris, that's my favorite tire. I'm on my second set of them in ten years of hard wear. Short of the far more expensive BFG Krawler, the kevlar reinforced Goodyear MT/R is the toughest offroad tire I've ever run. In fact it's the only tire I've never had a sidewall cut or failure on while offroading. Its kevlar reinforced sidewall is pretty much bulletproof. It's a great offroad tire that is not too loud on the highway.
https://tiresize.com/tires/Goodyear/Wrangler-MTR-with-Kevlar-35X12.50R17.htm
I'd seriously consider going with a 15" instead of a 17" size wheel, there's a ton of 35" LR C tires made for 15" wheels from everyone.... BFG, Goodyear, Falken, Nitto, etc. for 15" wheels. That's just a MUCH better size wheel in two key ways... 1) There are far more tire sizes available for it than are made for 17" wheels, and 2) you get better traction out of the same diameter tire when mounted on a 15" vs. a 17" due to having more sidewall height on the 15" size tire. More sidewall height means the tire can flex more easily over uneven low-traction terrain which means it'll have more tread gripping the terrain.
My only advantage to 17s (literally the only advantage) is that now I get to run Blaine's 17" big brake kit. I was blown away by the size of the brakes on this kit. The caliper is the size of my shoe!
The guys who are installing my 5.38 gears are putting the brakes on at the same time, so I should know sometime today how well those massive brakes work.
Oh wow, both 5.38's and the Big Brake kit at the same time!!! Tell me you aren't just as excited as a five year old is on Christmas Eve!!:zpong:
Haha, I am indeed! Considering how well the 16" Vanco kit performed on my last TJ, this 17" kit should be even better.
Well looks like I've got a few things to consider then huh. I appreciate the help guys!
Similar threads
