Tire Help

[WranglerFire]

Recently bought a 2005 TJ for my daughter. Came with WILDPEAK A/T3 32 X11.50R15 tires that I knew would need to be replaced. Is there a better size tire that would provide a better ride - it is a bit rough right now . I am not opposed to buying new rims too but with the jeep being lifted I also dont want a smaller tire/wheel package to look strange/goofy. I stopped at tire discount yesterday and they told me the only other option using the current rims would be a a 265/70R15. I don't have a lot of experience with this, any help appreciated.

 

[LONGJP2]

Wheels don't matter. Tire size not much either.
Air pressure and load rating are more important.
After that, shocks.

265/70/15 would be smaller than a 32"
https://tiresize.com/calculator/

 

[Mavesar]

How much and what kind of lift does it have? usually suspension setup that causes harsh ride. might have tires overinflated too. It is a jeep so will ride rougher then a car.

 

[WranglerFire]

Don't know any of the specifics regarding the lift but I do recall the previous owner mentioning adding spacers to account for the larger tires. Tires are at 38psi and understand that the jeep is going to overall be a rougher ride. Just looking for something more practical for my 16 year old. I want her to feel safe.

 

[Ovaltine]

38! Drop the pressure down to 26 and go for a ride.

 

[LONGJP2]

Don't know any of the specifics regarding the lift but I do recall the previous owner mentioning adding spacers to account for the larger tires. Tires are at 38psi and understand that the jeep is going to overall be a rougher ride. Just looking for something more practical for my 16 year old. I want her to feel safe.

IMO, a lifted vehicle with an unknown history is not a good/safe choice.
I've had Jeeps all my life, but I wouldn't even think about getting my kids one for their first vehicle.

 

[Mavesar]

What @Ovaltine said pressure is high. Just get tires you think will be safest for the roads in your area. Jeeps are really light so don't need as much pressure to get proper contact pattern on road.

 

[WranglerFire]

38! Drop the pressure down to 26 and go for a ride.

I've played with the pressure a little, will try at 26. I'm assuming new rubber will help too, tires need to be replaced.

 

[WranglerFire]

IMO, a lifted vehicle with an unknown history is not a good/safe choice.
I've had Jeeps all my life, but I wouldn't even think about getting my kids one for their first vehicle.

The history of the vehicle is known, purchased from a neighbor and serviced at the local Jeep dealership. I just don't have knowledge about lifts / spacers to know what the set up is to answer the posters question. Thanks for the concern.

 

[Gollywomper]

The history of the vehicle is known, purchased from a neighbor and serviced at the local Jeep dealership. I just don't have knowledge about lifts / spacers to know what the set up is to answer the posters question. Thanks for the concern.

If your only running spacers you should still have a stockish ride, which isn’t bad at all. After adjusting PSI in tires take a look and see what shocks are on it. Some shocks can cause a terrible ride.

 

[L J]

I've played with the pressure a little, will try at 26. I'm assuming new rubber will help too, tires need to be replaced.

How are the shocks? Skyjacker Black Max and Rancho 5000X are a couple of the favorite low buck shocks that can improve ride quality.

 

[WranglerFire]

Ok, so I do think it was only spacers that were added, not a lift. I just checked and the shocks are Quadratec Hydro's...

 

[deadbeat son]

they told me the only other option using the current rims would be a a 265/70R15.

Are the rims aftermarket? If so, 10” wide? Are you willing to change them?

It’s hard to help you achieve your goals if we don’t know where you’re starting. Pics could help.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Ok, so I do think it was only spacers that were added, not a lift. I just checked and the shocks are Quadratec Hydro's...

The spacers ARE the lift. Those shocks are rebranded Skyjackers and get reviews like "rides like a pogo stick".

 

[Modoc Guy]

Lower TP is a good start for a smoother ride.

A narrower tire would be an improvement for on road driving, think 10 1/2” wide.

Stick with C load rated tires too, D or E load rated tires make for a rougher ride.

8” X15” rims with stock back spacing will let you choose a good riding economical tire.

And if you don’t have much lift, and stock gearing the P265 (29 1/2”) tire is close to stock and ok. You could probably do 31-10.50r15’s and they’d be fine too, and look a little better.

 

[WranglerFire]

Stopped at Goodyear today and spoke with the owner. He thought the 265's would be too small for the vehicle due to the lift. The Wrangler is a Rocky Mountain Edition so the stock tires were 30x9.5R15. He thought I could go with the MICHELIN DEFENDER LTX M/S31 X10.50R15 but said it would be slightly smaller then the Wildpeaks already on there. So, stick with the larger AT or go with the smaller AS tire? Will the ride improve much with the all season? We are in Illinois so winter's can be snowy but typically not more then 40 inches per year.

 

[WallyWest]

Looks like it has 2-3" of lift. You'd have to measure the springs+spacers to know for sure.

Replace the shocks with Rancho RS5000X. The X is important, don't get the RS5000. That's about the best budget option.

In order to avoid any issues with rubbing, and for gas mileage, I'd stick with stock size tires or slightly larger. Like 32x10.5 max. Something in that range anyway. And run them at 26-28 psi, no more. I'd stick with AT for snow. They aren't the absolute best, but will be better than AS. Popular options are the BFG KO2, General Grabber ATx, the Wildpeaks you have now, Nitto Ridge Grapplers, Dick Cepek (I forget the model name, but I think all they make are AT and MT).

For reference here's mine with 30x9.5" General Grabbers and a 2.5" lift. I plan on going up to 33's but honestly if you don't stand there and stare at it critically the tire size is fine.

 

[deadbeat son]

Stopped at Goodyear today and spoke with the owner. He thought the 265's would be too small for the vehicle due to the lift. The Wrangler is a Rocky Mountain Edition so the stock tires were 30x9.5R15. He thought I could go with the MICHELIN DEFENDER LTX M/S31 X10.50R15 but said it would be slightly smaller then the Wildpeaks already on there. So, stick with the larger AT or go with the smaller AS tire? Will the ride improve much with the all season? We are in Illinois so winter's can be snowy but typically not more then 40 inches per year.

View attachment 288819

Thanks for posting the photo, that helps. If I were in your shoes, and I had the goal of making that a good handling smooth riding daily driver, I'd take the following course of action. (I say this as a dad of a daughter who will be driving before I know it.)

1. Remove the spacers, returning the Jeep to stock height.
2. Replace the shocks with some quality OEM replacements (Monroe, etc.)
3. Install mild all-terrain tires in the stock size. (As you mentioned, 30x9.50-15 for the Rocky Mountain Edition you have.) Examples of tires I'd look at are Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo, Toyo Open Country ATIII, Yokohama Geolander AT G015, or similar. The Michelins your dealer mentioned would fall into this category too, but they're more expensive.

 

[LONGJP2]

We are in Illinois so winter's can be snowy but typically not more then 40 inches per year.

Just remind your daughter it's rear wheel drive, not all-wheel drive.
Also, you'll have to teach her how and when to use or not use 4WD.

 

[WranglerFire]

Thanks for all of your help, I am having new 31X10.5R15 tires installed tomorrow.