Going from 10" wide to 12"

KCsTJ

KCsTJ

TJ student
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Jan 9, 2018
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Farmersville, TX, United States
The POs tires on my TJ have around 20% tread remaining so I'm looking for new shoes.

I want to replace my 10" tires with 12" wide tires.
Is gas mileage with a 2 inch wider tire going to be a killer due to more drag and weight, or will the 12" tires have little effect on mpg increase?

This for my DD, 31s on 15 " rims, photo shows current 10" tires on 8" wide wheels
20180521_184104.jpg
 
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12" wide tires won't handle as well on the street, especially in the rain. However, I don't think you'll take a MPG hit. You may notice it a bit more sluggish off-the-line I would think, only because I imagine the 12" wide tires would be a little heavier.
 
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Gotcha, that makes sense Chris.
I think a 12 inch tire gives a TJ a beefier stance, I can probably handle any mpg sacrifice, thanks for your input.
Now to go tire n wheel looking :)
 
What kind of tires are you going to run at 31x12.5? Boggers?
 
Toyo makes an Open Country MT in 31x12.5

Weight will be a difference, about 8-10 pounds/tire depending on the tire you're coming from and going too.

You'll want backspacing in the 3.75-4" range for a 12.5" wide tire.

Will definitely make your stance look beefier!
 
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KCsTJ said:
Kinda like Duratracs, still researching and getting opinions.... open to suggestions
Click to expand...

You choices are going to be limited. It's an odd size that isn't available in a Duratrac.
 
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I run a 33x12.5r15 BFG KO and I have no handling problems. As for the gas mileage, I don't check, ignorance is bliss!! I too am looking into tires and kinda like falken wildpeak AT. the 33/12.5 go for about $151 on amazon, and they have had some pretty descent reviews.
 
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Chris said:
12" wide tires won't handle as well on the street, especially in the rain. However, I don't think you'll take a MPG hit. You may notice it a bit more sluggish off-the-line I would think, only because I imagine the 12" wide tires would be a little heavier.
Click to expand...
x2 I switched from 10.5 to 12.5 and the biggest difference I noticed was that the jeep seemed to wonder more. Now that I have drove it a bit I am used to it and its not a big deal.
 
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>x2 I switched from 10.5 to 12.5 and the biggest difference I noticed was that the jeep seemed to wonder more. Now that I have drove it a bit I am used to it and it's not a big deal.<
I noticed exactly the same thing. And it's not a big deal.
 
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The wandering thing is something I didn’t notice moving from a 31x10.5 to 33x12.5. I think the Emerson is I was dealing with a shimmy on the 10.5’s, so I was obsessing about that and could never get a shop to balance it out. New tires were the answer for me. The 33x12.5 drive like a dream. The look is killer too and the performance is fantastic. @KCsTJ has driven my TJ too, and I His, so we both know what we’re into here!
 
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Roger that @JMT, I love the look of your red beast on 12" tires, but @Rob5589 has driven an SE a long time and he makes a good point. The 2.5 should stay light as possible for best performance so ugh, at least i have a.month or 2 to chew on it
 
Come on, we all know there is only one right answer here.

9b55c62e61ffe8928a7114a67d6ee013.jpg


TSL Thornbird, LT 31.00 x 12.50-15, Bias Ply

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
 
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The real question is, do you have any fillings you want to keep? It's a bias ply tire after all so it'll be square every morning.

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
 
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I was wrong about the Toyo's in a 31x12.5 @KCsTJ. Sorry about that! What about a 32x11.5". Plenty of options there!

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/Tire...5&rearWidth=255/&rearRatio=40&rearDiameter=17

The Cooper STT Pro's are listed for $176 at Tire Rack and I bet Discount would beat them easy. Probably get in a set for $165/tire. But I don't know if you are looking for an MT or an AT. I don't think my Cooper MT's are noisy at all. There is a little hum, but I think it is nice and there is nothing that dresses a TJ up more than an aggressive tread. Of course, some are more concerned about tire life. If that's the case an AT might be the best option. However, one tire guy I know has over 60,000 miles on his Cooper STT Pro's (35x12.5 on a half ton pickup)
 
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