Best wheel size

I'm getting new wheels when I go to 35 inch tires so should I go up to a 16 inch wheel or stay at a 15 inch wheel

Good question.
I went with a 15” rim a few years back for my 35s to get the extra sidewall. Plenty of good options for 35” tires in the 15” rim size on the market, not sure about 16”?

I did regret going with the 15” rim a short while back as there are Nearly zero 37” tires available for the 15” rim size.
I’m not willing to buy new 17” rims to go to 37”s so will stick to my 35s for the next 5 years+.

If you think you might go to 37s in the future you might want to consider going with a 17” rim right away? Also, you have more options for a big break upgrade with a 17” rim.
 
I'd suggest 15x8" as well. If one is thinking about 37's later, you'll have plenty more to think about, and a lot more money to spend than just for new wheels. Those will be dirt cheap in comparison to everything else.
 
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I like the 16's, but would recommend 15's for a vastly better tire selection. 17's if you plan on brake upgrades. They let you run a bigger rotor and caliper.
 
Will 37’a fit a 6” short arm suspension lift?
Technically yes. Though if you're not planning to replace at least the front axle with something longer and extending the wheelbase for something that big you won't like the long-term results. 37's are a little too big for a TJ with the factory axles. And there's no good way to make the front axle strong enough for 37's, especially if your TJ is a daily driver. Not with stronger axle shafts, tubing the axles, trusses, etc. since its biggest unfixable problem preventing the long-term successful running of 37's is its ball joint size. And there are no stronger ball joints available for it. If there was I'd probably be running 37's by now.
 
Depends on how you are going to use the Jeep. If it is a rock crawler, then I would follow the advice of the crawlers on this forum and go with their 15” recommendation for maximum sidewall when airing down. If you are just building a very callable trail rig then go 17”, which opens up your brake and tire options in the future. I wouldn’t go 16” in any case because of the likelihood of limited tire options in the future, even though I think they are perfect from an aesthetic perspective.
 
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Depends on how you are going to use the Jeep. If it is a rock crawler, then I would follow the advice of the crawlers on this forum and go with their 15” recommendation for maximum sidewall when airing down. If you are just building a very callable trail rig then go 17”, which opens up your brake and tire options in the future. I wouldn’t go 16” in any case because of the likelihood of limited tire options in the future, even though I think they are perfect from an aesthetic perspective.

That means I won't be a rock crawler when I make the switch to 17s and beadlocks🙁