Ride quality: 15" vs 17" wheels with 31" tires

[Moab]

Depends on if you're crawling Rocks or Malls, I prefer a little more side wall when crawling Rocks.

Street and old logging roads at worst.

My options are new 15" black steel wheels for around $200 and 15" Patagonia MT's for around $120 each. Or use my current 17" JK take off aluminum wheels (***with spacers***) and 17" Falken Wildpeak AT3W's for around $129 each. (I could care less about the extra $200 on the black steel rims. If it's going to give me an advantage.)

The Patagonia's are C rated 6ply. And the Falkens are SL rated 3 or 4 ply. The Patagonias get high marks in ride quality and noise. They aren't like a normal MT that is loud. The Falkens are more like a street tire with AT tread and side tread. The Falkens are probably the more refined street tire. But not as good offroad as the Patagonia. But both are C or below ride quality. Patagonia does not have a stated life warranty. I think the Falkens are 40k-50k IIRC.

I thought I would get a little more cushion out of the C rated 15" Patagonia MT's. With the extra sidewall. Which would make them closer to the Falkens in ride quality. Both tires get excellent reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. Just not sure I want to run an all black rim on my all black Jeep. Kind of like the aluminum color of the JK take offs. But that's niether here nor there. I just want the better ride and traction on dirt mountain roads in the PNW.

But I'm also having to run spacers for the JK's. And with the 15" steel wheels I most likely wouldn't have to run spacers. Which is an issue moving forward as I'm moving to WA. And they have loosely enforced fender/tire law. My spacers push the tire out well past the flares. Not super worried about being pulled over in WA. But am concerned they might inspect for this at time of new licensing.

The tire selection is based on price and availability. As the Falkens are to much in 15" and the PAtagonia's are E rated in 17". So I either have to go with the PAtagonias in 15" or the Falken in 17".

I do run low air pressure around 28-30. And RS5000X shocks. I'm also running the OEM JK tires. Which are Wrangler street radials. And they are slick as hell on wet/oily pavement. My son rear ended someone last month. And I've slid thru a corner twice in the last week. Across more than two lanes.

Patagonia's:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EI2LQY4/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Falkens:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C53C22S/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[mrblaine]

well, now you are putting major money into OEM wheels that most of the time, the offset doesn’t jive with wider tires. Then throw on wheel spacers to conver the bolt pattern and increase the scrub radius...all on cast wheels. If I was dropping money on OMF conversion, wheel adapters, on cast wheels, it doesn’t add up. Just start with a solid forged beadlock, like Walker Evans, in the correct backspacing and bolt pattern for less money in the end. Now you started off with a set of $400 wheels for the guy who will run them as a cheap take off, you made a point there. OMF conversation.....better forced options than the cast OEM if you go down that road.

again, it might work for some but I don’t see it being an option for me.

When did they start forging Walker's wheels?

 

[Rick Flair]

When did they start forging Walker's wheels?

When did they start forging Walker's wheels?

Umm, he’s always offered a forged option.

https://walkerevansracing.com/collections/beadlock

 

[Rick Flair]

Street and old logging roads at worst.

My options are new 15" black steel wheels for around $200 and 15" Patagonia MT's for around $120 each. Or use my current 17" JK take off aluminum wheels (***with spacers***) and 17" Falken Wildpeak AT3W's for around $129 each. (I could care less about the extra $200 on the black steel rims. If it's going to give me an advantage.)

The Patagonia's are C rated 6ply. And the Falkens are SL rated 3 or 4 ply. The Patagonias get high marks in ride quality and noise. They aren't like a normal MT that is loud. The Falkens are more like a street tire with AT tread and side tread. The Falkens are probably the more refined street tire. But not as good offroad as the Patagonia. But both are C or below ride quality. Patagonia does not have a stated life warranty. I think the Falkens are 40k-50k IIRC.

I thought I would get a little more cushion out of the C rated 15" Patagonia MT's. With the extra sidewall. Which would make them closer to the Falkens in ride quality. Both tires get excellent reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. Just not sure I want to run an all black rim on my all black Jeep. Kind of like the aluminum color of the JK take offs. But that's niether here nor there. I just want the better ride and traction on dirt mountain roads in the PNW.

But I'm also having to run spacers for the JK's. And with the 15" steel wheels I most likely wouldn't have to run spacers. Which is an issue moving forward as I'm moving to WA. And they have loosely enforced fender/tire law. My spacers push the tire out well past the flares. Not super worried about being pulled over in WA. But am concerned they might inspect for this at time of new licensing.

The tire selection is based on price and availability. As the Falkens are to much in 15" and the PAtagonia's are E rated in 17". So I either have to go with the PAtagonias in 15" or the Falken in 17".

I do run low air pressure around 28-30. And RS5000X shocks. I'm also running the OEM JK tires. Which are Wrangler street radials. And they are slick as hell on wet/oily pavement. My son rear ended someone last month. And I've slid thru a corner twice in the last week. Across more than two lanes.

Patagonia's:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EI2LQY4/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Falkens:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C53C22S/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I guess it depends on how worried you are about the offset and worry of being ticketed.

FYI, you can find black steel wheels cheaper than $200 each, heck I was in my local point S tire shop just two days ago and they black aluminum 15x8’s in a TJ bolt pattern for less than $415 for the set, brand new.


Point is, you have options so go with what you like. It really is preference as you can see here in this very thread we have different opinions and takes on what works. There is no wrong answer, just choices.

 

[reddvltj]

Street and old logging roads at worst.

My options are new 15" black steel wheels for around $200 and 15" Patagonia MT's for around $120 each. Or use my current 17" JK take off aluminum wheels (***with spacers***) and 17" Falken Wildpeak AT3W's for around $129 each. (I could care less about the extra $200 on the black steel rims. If it's going to give me an advantage.)

The Patagonia's are C rated 6ply. And the Falkens are SL rated 3 or 4 ply. The Patagonias get high marks in ride quality and noise. They aren't like a normal MT that is loud. The Falkens are more like a street tire with AT tread and side tread. The Falkens are probably the more refined street tire. But not as good offroad as the Patagonia. But both are C or below ride quality. Patagonia does not have a stated life warranty. I think the Falkens are 40k-50k IIRC.

I thought I would get a little more cushion out of the C rated 15" Patagonia MT's. With the extra sidewall. Which would make them closer to the Falkens in ride quality. Both tires get excellent reviews on Amazon and elsewhere. Just not sure I want to run an all black rim on my all black Jeep. Kind of like the aluminum color of the JK take offs. But that's niether here nor there. I just want the better ride and traction on dirt mountain roads in the PNW.

But I'm also having to run spacers for the JK's. And with the 15" steel wheels I most likely wouldn't have to run spacers. Which is an issue moving forward as I'm moving to WA. And they have loosely enforced fender/tire law. My spacers push the tire out well past the flares. Not super worried about being pulled over in WA. But am concerned they might inspect for this at time of new licensing.

The tire selection is based on price and availability. As the Falkens are to much in 15" and the PAtagonia's are E rated in 17". So I either have to go with the PAtagonias in 15" or the Falken in 17".

I do run low air pressure around 28-30. And RS5000X shocks. I'm also running the OEM JK tires. Which are Wrangler street radials. And they are slick as hell on wet/oily pavement. My son rear ended someone last month. And I've slid thru a corner twice in the last week. Across more than two lanes.

Patagonia's:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EI2LQY4/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Falkens:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C53C22S/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Given that information, IMO your best bet would be the Patagonias on 15s for your intended use and desired outcome.
There are a couple reasons I say that,
1. The 6 ply Patagonia tires are going to have a better resistance to puncture than the "Standard Load" rated Falken tires due to the casing design of the tire. LTs have a heavier duty construction.
2. Tire pressures for ride comfort, the 15" wheel and tire combo of the Patagonia will give more side wall flex, consequently it will absorb more shock load when hitting a bump (to slight degree) you will also be running a lower pressure in the Patagonia because of the design of the LT tire has stiffer side wall than the Falken so that will also bring the ride quality on road closer to the Falken tires.

As for tread life of the 2, my bet is the Falken probably will last longer, though not by much. The Falken will probably also perform better on wet/slick roads than the Patagonia due to the nature of their tread design...

 

[Moab]

I guess it depends on how worried you are about the offset and worry of being ticketed.

FYI, you can find black steel wheels cheaper than $200 each, heck I was in my local point S tire shop just two days ago and they black aluminum 15x8’s in a TJ bolt pattern for less than $415 for the set, brand new.


Point is, you have options so go with what you like. It really is preference as you can see here in this very thread we have different opinions and takes on what works. There is no wrong answer, just choices.

I meant $200 for four. I would only be getting those cheap steel ones from 4WP's. Actually $250 for five to be correct.

I think I would prefer to have a tire that rides under the flare anyway. I don't have any hard info on WA inspection status of tire/fender issues. But if they do I'd be prepared.

 

[Moab]

Given that information, IMO your best bet would be the Patagonias on 15s for your intended use and desired outcome.
There are a couple reasons I say that,
1. The 6 ply Patagonia tires are going to have a better resistance to puncture than the "Standard Load" rated Falken tires due to the casing design of the tire. LTs have a heavier duty construction.
2. Tire pressures for ride comfort, the 15" wheel and tire combo of the Patagonia will give more side wall flex, consequently it will absorb more shock load when hitting a bump (to slight degree) you will also be running a lower pressure in the Patagonia because of the design of the LT tire has stiffer side wall than the Falken so that will also bring the ride quality on road closer to the Falken tires.

As for tread life of the 2, my bet is the Falken probably will last longer, though not by much. The Falken will probably also perform better on wet/slick roads than the Patagonia due to the nature of their tread design...

This was sort of my thinking as well. I think I might be taking a bit closer attention at the 15" option. I would really like to get rid of those spacers/adapters as well. That would give some peace of mind. I just wish there was another color option in cheap 15" rims. But oh well. My dream Jeep had black rims too. That's it below (A pic of someone elses Jeep from the internet.). Although I didn't prefer the half doors. So I switched to full.

 

[Mr. Bills]

To @moab :

What size tires are you considering for 15" rims?

What size tires for 17" rims?

 

[reddvltj]

This was sort of my thinking as well. I think I might be taking a bit closer attention at the 15" option. I would really like to get rid of those spacers/adapters as well. That would give some peace of mind. I just wish there was another color option in cheap 15" rims. But oh well. My dream Jeep had black rims too. That's it below (A pic of someone elses Jeep from the internet.). Although I didn't prefer the half doors. So I switched to full.

View attachment 146313

You could always do some personalizing before you have everything mounted up... maybe paint the center section or the rim section to color match your fender flares??? It's your oyster make it shine the way you like!!

 

[Rick Flair]

I meant $200 for four. I would only be getting those cheap steel ones from 4WP's. Actually $250 for five to be correct.

I think I would prefer to have a tire that rides under the flare anyway. I don't have any hard info on WA inspection status of tire/fender issues. But if they do I'd be prepared.

Gotcha, makes more sense.

 

[Moab]

To @moab :

What size tires are you considering for 15" rims?

What size tires for 17" rims?

31x10.5R15

265/70R17

 

[Rick Flair]

This was sort of my thinking as well. I think I might be taking a bit closer attention at the 15" option. I would really like to get rid of those spacers/adapters as well. That would give some peace of mind. I just wish there was another color option in cheap 15" rims. But oh well. My dream Jeep had black rims too. That's it below (A pic of someone elses Jeep from the internet.). Although I didn't prefer the half doors. So I switched to full.

View attachment 146313

Plasti- dip them for now. It’s pretty durable and will hold you over for a few years till you find a good powder coat guy. I just did my wife’s beadlocks in brass monkey, to see if she liked the color. Will have them PC’d next year after camping/wheeling season.

 

[Rick Flair]

For reference, I used the plasti-dip and glossifer. They turned out nice, original finish was pretty beat from use.

 

[Moab]

You could always do some personalizing before you have everything mounted up... maybe paint the center section or the rim section to color match your fender flares??? It's your oyster make it shine the way you like!!

Ya. I'm gonna use chrome center caps and lug nuts. It would look good. I just didn't want to follow the all black trend. I'm more of a black with some chrome accents kind of guy. But to be honest I didn't want another black car when I got the Jeep. But it was the best deal I found. Actually the only one screwed up enough that I could afford it! My plan was white or khaki.

*Now that I see that pic again. And a couple recently on the forum. I wish I'd spent a bit more time figuring out how to spray bed liner on my flares. I really like that look.

 

[Moab]

For reference, I used the plasti-dip and glossifer. They turned out nice, original finish was pretty beat from use.View attachment 146323

View attachment 146322

That looks really nice man.

 

[Mr. Bills]

What size tires are you considering for 15" rims?
What size tires for 17" rims?

31x10.5R15
265/70R17 [31.9x11.1]

Thanks. That keeps things in perspective.

I often comment that in many ways 17's are becoming the new 15's, however as far as 31-32" diameter tires are concerned a set of 15" wheels provides more tire options with appropriate load ratings. At least for now.

But don't be too quick to unload your 17" wheels and adapters. There are many good tire choices for 17" wheels and 33"/35" tires that have load ratings appropriate for TJ's and you may want to go bigger for your next set.

 

[Moab]

Thanks. That keeps things in perspective.

I often comment that in many ways 17's are becoming the new 15's, however as far as 31-32" diameter tires are concerned a set of 15" wheels provides more tire options with appropriate load ratings. At least for now.

But don't be too quick to unload your 17" wheels and adapters. There are many good tire choices for 17" wheels and 33"/35" tires that have load ratings appropriate for TJ's and you may want to go bigger for your next set.

Yes. There are more options for 15"s. Which is great.

I'll probably just sell the 17's though. As JK take offs can be had for a couple hundred bucks or less. With tires. There are so many guys that ditched them new. It's crazy. Tons of them on the market. Maybe not forever. But certainly enough for the next ten years or more. That rim was in production a long time.

 

[Moab]

I hate to admit this after all this positive discussion about 15" rims. And those PAtagonia tires. But I watched a YT vid last night from a guy with a set of them on his JEep. And just under 7K or so. The tires started making noise. No bs either. He took a video from inside his JL. And you could hear the tires at speed on the freeway. It wasn't the worse tire noise you've ever heard. But it was enough to be annoying. He said it was the same at slower speeds too. There may have even been video of that.

The first 14 minutes of the video he praises the tire though. But at the end he puts the video with the road noise issue. Video starts at 14 minutes. So you don't have to sit thru the first part.



A JL is alot more insulated than a TJ. So the noise would be even worse in my Jeep. I would imagine. And I'm not down with tire noise.

So now I'm thinking the Falkens on my 17"s are maybe a better option. Plus the Falkens come with a 50k warranty. And the Milestar Patagonias do not to my knowledge. Unless I can wait long enough for the Falkens in 15" to come down. Or I wrestle up some more money from somewhere. That would be the killer combination. New 15" rims and the Falkens in 31x10.5r15. Unlike the 17" Falkens, they are a true LT tire with a C rated load.

You really can't stop spending money on Jeeps can you?!

 

[reddvltj]

I hate to admit this after all this positive discussion about 15" rims. And those PAtagonia tires. But I watched a YT vid last night from a guy with a set of them on his JEep. And just under 7K or so. The tires started making noise. No bs either. He took a video from inside his JL. And you could hear the tires at speed on the freeway. It wasn't the worse tire noise you've ever heard. But it was enough to be annoying. He said it was the same at slower speeds too. There may have even been video of that.

The first 14 minutes of the video he praises the tire though. But at the end he puts the video with the road noise issue. Video starts at 14 minutes. So you don't have to sit thru the first part.



A JL is alot more insulated than a TJ. So the noise would be even worse in my Jeep. I would imagine. And I'm not down with tire noise.

So now I'm thinking the Falkens on my 17"s are maybe a better option. Plus the Falkens come with a 50k warranty. And the Milestar Patagonias do not to my knowledge. Unless I can wait long enough for the Falkens in 15" to come down. Or I wrestle up some more money from somewhere. That would be the killer combination. New 15" rims and the Falkens in 31x10.5r15. Unlike the 17" Falkens, they are a true LT tire with a C rated load.

You really can't stop spending money on Jeeps can you?!

Actually you'll have a LOT more noise inside the TJ to cover up the tire noise, especially at freeway speeds.

 

[Mr. Bills]

. . . after all this positive discussion about . . . those Patagonia tires . . I watched a YT vid last night from a guy with a set of them on his Jeep. And just under 7K or so. The tires started making noise. No bs either. He took a video from inside his JL. And you could hear the tires at speed on the freeway. It wasn't the worse tire noise you've ever heard. But it was enough to be annoying. He said it was the same at slower speeds too. . . So now I'm thinking the Falkens on my 17"s are maybe a better option. . . .

All open void tires such as mud terrains will make more noise than AT tires and more aggressive AT tread patterns will make more noise than less aggressive AT patterns. All tires, both MT and AT, tend to get louder as they wear. Conscientious tire rotation at relatively short intervals of no more than 4,000 miles will help, but doesn't totally eliminate the increase in noise from wear. Its just the nature of the beast.

I can still remember being a little kid and hearing the "singing" of the military tires on my dad's '49 Jeep as he rounded the curve at the end of the road every evening on his way from from work. (One could hear the tires long before one could hear the engine.) It was the signal to rush out to greet him if my brother and I had been good or if we had been bad to disappear into the orange groves until supper time.