Ignorant on tires and wheels

[Turdworlder]

I don't know. I have to know the bolt pattern. TJ's are a 5x4.5 or 5x114.3 in metric

The bolt pattern is 5x114.3

 

[JMT]

It's an SE 2.5L - so 4 cylinder.
Manual transmission.
No clue what the gear ratio is - whatever came out the factory.

Sorry, I missed the SE part.

Gears are probably 4.10.

4 bangers make it a challenge running bigger tires. 33 is about as big as anyone should want to go, and that's a definite re-gear if you want to keep your sanity. Some go 35's, but that's pushing it.

Manual transmission helps, it's the 5 speed. You can downshift to keep speed on the hills.

You will always get less performance with a bigger tire. It will struggle more on the hills than it does now.

Ideally, you would want to re-gear.

I would get the 31's anyway, even if I didn't regear, but that's me. It's not something you have to do now. You can drive it for awhile and see if you can live with it. After six months, you'll know. Just good to know going in.

 

[JMT]

The bolt pattern is 5x114.3

Yes, they will fit. I should have asked, "what is the rim width?" The narrowest tire you can run on a rim is the width of the rim. E.g. 8" rim, 8" tire or metric equivalent.

 

[Chitoddy]

Sorry, I missed the SE part.

Gears are probably 4.10.

4 bangers make it a challenge running bigger tires. 33 is about as big as anyone should want to go, and that's a definite re-gear if you want to keep your sanity. Some go 35's, but that's pushing it.

Manual transmission helps, it's the 5 speed. You can downshift to keep speed on the hills.

You will always get less performance with a bigger tire. It will struggle more on the hills than it does now.

Ideally, you would want to re-gear.

I would get the 31's anyway, even if I didn't regear, but that's me. It's not something you have to do now. You can drive it for awhile and see if you can live with it. After six months, you'll know. Just good to know going in.

Thank you again, you've been very helpful.

 

[Rubicon88]

Yes, they will fit. I should have asked, "what is the rim width?" The narrowest tire you can run on a rim is the width of the rim. E.g. 8" rim, 8" tire or metric equivalent.

They showed a decal of 6.5"

 

[JMT]

They showed a decal of 6.5"

Thanks, I missed that. I seem to be missing a lot these days.

I can't imagine any scenario I would be wanting to run a 6.5" tire, but I'm not from Kazakhstan, and even in snow and knowing a narrower tire will cut through to hardpack, it will only do that up to a few inches depth, then you're just going to be on top of the snow anyway, and then I'd rather have a wider tire and float. To each his own I guess.

 

[Rubicon88]

It's an SE 2.5L - so 4 cylinder.
Manual transmission.
No clue what the gear ratio is - whatever came out the factory.

You have 4.10 gears.

Will the 31's make a huge difference in power? No...because you didn't have much to begin with.

Having said that you'll find yourself dropping a gear on some hills you didn't have to before.

That 4 cylinder/5spd and gear combo are great off road in low range with tires 31" abd smaller. It putts around real nice with a forgiving throttle. You do pretty much need low range for everything off road but thats OK.

On road however it will suffer a tad but it's not like you have a hot rod now.

Get your 31's and some 3.75 BS wheels abd enjoy. You won't regret it

 

[JMT]

This^^^

 

[Rubicon88]

Thanks, I missed that. I seem to be missing a lot these days.

I can't imagine any scenario I would be wanting to run a 6.5" tire, but I'm not from Kazakhstan, and even in snow and knowing a narrower tire will cut through to hardpack, it will only do that up to a few inches depth, then you're just going to be on top of the snow anyway, and then I'd rather have a wider tire and float. To each his own I guess.

The only place I can think I'd want that is if I was ONLY running on ice. Skinny with studs. Otherwise no way. Pizza cutters dig too much and next thing you know you're buried.

 

[Smalltime]

Chitoddy. I have an 06 SE running 31s with factory steel wheels, 4 cylinder and 6 speed. It will still pull at 60 miles an hour in 6th, with a tailwind. Seriously, it struggles a bit in the wind, but is probably not much different than 29s.

I just picked up a set of Ravines to mount. Should be good with 31s and they can be bought for cheap. There is a set up your way for $100 on FB. Might look at them or Canyons or Grizzlies. There are some good deals out there. I'd like to drop some money on new wheels, but I'd rather spend it elsewhere.

 

[Turdworlder]

Yes, they will fit. I should have asked, "what is the rim width?" The narrowest tire you can run on a rim is the width of the rim. E.g. 8" rim, 8" tire or metric equivalent.

The sticker on rims says 61/2jx15oh

 

[Moab]

What rims are you looking to buy? If you want cheap check out steel wheels from quadratec and 4wp. They have some 15-8's that are 3.75 bs iirc. For 50 bucks each. They come with nice circles or rectangles.

Heres one to get you started.

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/pro-c...eter_PQMS=15+Inches&Wheel+Width_PQMS=8+Inches

 

[Chitoddy]

That backspacing is good. You will probably be fine without the 1" lift. If you want to know where you are, go out with a tape measure and measure your front springs, not including the stock rubber isolator at the very top. Stock spring length up front is 12". I suspect yours is running in the 11.5" range due to age and sag. Again, even that may be fine with 31's. I'd do that, then just go ahead and get the tires and see how they are at full lock, and solve the problem after if there is one. You can always decrease your turn radius by putting some washers on the steering lock. That will stop the tires from rubbing the control arms if they did. Basically, a free fix.

I measured and spring length is in fact about 11.5"

 

[Smalltime]

Chitoddy,

What did you end up doing? I ended up with a set of 2005/2006 16" Moab wheels. Just had them put on yesterday with Dick Cepek's in 265/75/16. Much smoother and quieter than I expected even with load range E.

They are a little taller than 31/10.5/15, but a bit narrower.

 

[Chitoddy]

Chitoddy,

What did you end up doing? I ended up with a set of 2005/2006 16" Moab wheels. Just had them put on yesterday with Dick Cepek's in 265/75/16. Much smoother and quieter than I expected even with load range E.

They are a little taller than 31/10.5/15, but a bit narrower.

I'm getting a set of 15X8 Fuel Anza D557s with 31" Wrangler ATs. The should arrive Friday or Saturday at the tire place for installation.

 

[LONGJP2]

I'm running a 33" with the stock third brake light. A 31" is absolutely fine.

That's seems odd to me. Before removing it completely, I had to move mine up and back for it to clear my 33.

 

[JMT]

That's seems odd to me. Before removing it completely, I had to move mine up and back for it to clear my 33.

I forgot till now I added a stack of washers.

 

[Chitoddy]

Closing the loop (and again thanks for all the help!), here's the final results!

 

[Chitoddy]

I decided that replacing the fender flares was a must to compliment the new tires. I'm so happy with the final results.

 

[James Brewer]

Ok, so I'm tire/rim ignorant and have been doing what I can to educate myself via posts on this site and general internet searches. I have to say thought that a lot of it is flying over my head (eg backspacing and other tire terms)- so I came here to post for maybe a short idiot guide or quick answer to my question - or at least direction to a post that could help me since there seem to be numerous.

I drive a 2001 SE. I bought it new in 2000 so it just turned 20. It has had the factory steel rims for all of those 20 years. As a 20 year present I want to finally get some new rims.

I believe those stock rims are 15X7.
My tires are currently Goodyear P235/75R 15/SL 105S OWL.
I have no lift.
I'm just a city boy who does city driving.
I see some rims I like that are 15X8.

I don't need a huge tire, but i'm fine with a little bigger but don't really want to be concerned about rubbing etc. I see lots of discussion about 31 tires being the biggest but might rub. I'm very confused about how that 31" compares to the tire that I have today since maybe its in metric above?

My basic question is can I buy the 15X8s take it to a tire place and just get a similar tire to what I have today and be good to go? Are there any negative effects of the 8 vs 7 on my SE? If I wanted to go a little bigger and not affect periodic highway driving what am I good with? Any other friendly info you can give this tire idiot.

thx - tc

stick with 15" rims or go to 17s....There are more tire choices and better prices in 33" and up for those rims than 16" rims...I bought 16" 5 years ago and regret it...33" tires are hard to find and if you do find them..they are expensive...