Wheels

[packmule1911]

I have 16" Icon wheels on my '01 Limited. Found a set of Jeep 15" steel wheels for cheap, and I thought they might be worth buying to use to set up a different set of wheels with different tires; maybe bigger tires for when I get a baby lift sorted out.

I assume that Jeep wheels are Jeep wheels, but I know that I'm very educated yet with bolt patterns and wheel/tire sizes. Here's what they are:

OEM steel, 5 on 4.5" bolt pattern, backspacing around 5.5".

Will these work for an '01 Limited?

[xj-jake]

Yes they will work just fine on your 2001. I'm a bit of a wheel and tire nerd and I always have at least one extra set of rims and tires on hand. Nice score!

[packmule1911]

Haven't heard back from them yet, but I offered to buy the set. $40. Will paint them black. I'm planning to do a wee 2" lift, and I'd like to figure out two sets of tire sizes: one for the 16" wheels and then another for these 15".

[xj-jake]

You should be able to put 31's on a 2" lift pretty easy with little to no trimming.

[packmule1911]

You should be able to put 31's on a 2" lift pretty easy with little to no trimming.

Thanks. So lift it 2", and look for 31's for 15" rims and still 31's for 16" rims. Inner diameter changes, but the height of the tire remains constant at 31". Right?

[xj-jake]

Correct. If memory serves me correctly you will need a 265/75-16 tire for the 16" rims.

[packmule1911]

Thanks. Right now it's got a set of 255/75-16 now. Goodyear Assurance. Came on it and were new. Nice town tires, but they squeel a lot turning at slow speeds.

[xj-jake]

I'd run them. The difference between a 255/75 and a 265/75 is very minimal. Run them til they wear out then look for new ones.

[abebehrmann]

I have those same 15'' wheels on my XJ and I also have a small 2.5'' lift with 31x10.50x15 tires. I just wanted to warn you that they will rub on the lower control arms on tight turns near steering lock. I've been running that combo for over a year now. It's not terrible or anything and I haven't noticed any abnormal wear on the tires from the rubbing but I wish they were a little less backspacing so they wouldn't do that.

[nickyg]

You should be able to put 31's on a 2" lift pretty easy with little to no trimming.

That's what I have.. (31's on 2 inch lift) works good.

[nickyg]

I just wanted to warn you that they will rub on the lower control arms on tight turns near steering lock. I

I solved that by putting 2 washers under each stop.

[packmule1911]

I'd run them. The difference between a 255/75 and a 265/75 is very minimal. Run them til they wear out then look for new ones.


Ya know, this would be a lot easier if I wasn't stupid. The tires on the Icon wheels are 225, not 255.

Anyway, I did pick up the other set for $40. I'll blast and paint them and have them ready for when I can afford some tires. The guy I bought them from wants what I've got on mine for a "towing" set.

Sorry for the blunder on sizes.


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[packmule1911]

I solved that by putting 2 washers under each stop.


Does that reduce the steering travel so the space between stops is narrower?


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[nickyg]

Does that reduce the steering travel so the space between stops is narrower?

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Not by much. Your turning radius is already reduced if it rubs the control arms. This just stops it a hair before it rubs. I don't know about anyone elses XJ but mine had crazy tight turning radius to begin with.
even with the washers it turns tighter then my ford ranger, my wifes escape and my daughters bug.

[packmule1911]

Not by much. Your turning radius is already reduced if it rubs the control arms. This just stops it a hair before it rubs. I don't know about anyone elses XJ but mine had crazy tight turning radius to begin with.


Makes sense. Just wanted to make sure I understood. Mine turns really tight as well, which I like, but losing a little for bigger tires won't bother me.


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[packmule1911]

Put the 16" Icons on my son's ZJ. Took the factory ZJ wheels to the scrap metal place and got $45 for them, with one ruined through the removal process. Took the 235/70R15XT tires off of the factory ZJ wheels, and put them on the steel 15's I bought and painted black.

When I get the lift done, I'll get bigger tires, but for the time being I like the look of these wheels better; less fancy than the Icon's. Need to paint the weights and touch them up here and there.

[packmule1911]

Calling wheel-smart folks:

Seems that 235/70R15 tires are pretty darn hard to find around here. Dude at the used tire place I try to support says 15's in general are becoming much fewer in number on the truck that comes with tires each week. The boy now has my 16's, and if we swapped back, I'd still have the same problem, a tired size that hard to find (used).

Still haven't gotten a lift sorted out. New leafs, with lift, seems the most logical to me since I've got about 1" of sagging in the back anyway. Looks like $108 a side.

Not knowing how long it will take to lift mine, what other decent sizes of tires would I run on factor 15" steel wheels. Perhaps some 15's aren't as scarce as others. The tires on there now have some value, which might it possible to trade my used set for another "better for me" used set.

Just like many other topics here, I'm pretty green and inexperienced. How the diameter and aspect ratio relate to each other, and what will fit my wheels/wheel wells is a mystery to me. I appreciate your help. Your perspectives have helped same me some of the little $ I have to spend.

Thanks.

[xj-jake]

225 235 and 245-75-R15 should fit without much issue. Any larger than a 245 and you may end up rubbing.

Metric and standard sized tires are actually pretty easy to read.

For instance, a 31-10.50-15 tire is 31" tall, 10.5" wide, and on a 15" wheel.

Metric are similar.

A 245-75-15 is 245mm wide, 75% of the width (183.75mm), and on a 15" rim

Hope this helps you out. For the most part on a metric tire you wont find anything that's more that a 75% aspect ratio.

[packmule1911]

For instance, a 31-10.50-15 tire is 31" tall, 10.5" wide, and on a 15" wheel.

Metric are similar.

A 245-75-15 is 245mm wide, 75% of the width (183.75mm), and on a 15" rim.

To me it looks like 245mm would be the height, to correspond to the 31" height. Yes?

And it does help. Thank you.

[xj-jake]

Nope you're looking at it wrong lol it is confusing.

245 would be the WIDTH of the tire.

75 would be the PERCENTAGE of the WIDTH.

A 265-75-15 would be close to a 31.

Here's a link that might help.

http://www.crawlpedia.com/tire_size_converter.htm

[packmule1911]

Nope you're looking at it wrong lol it is confusing.

Dag nab it! It seems to me that if there is a standard height, there would be a metric height.

I'll check the link and stop acting a fool.

Long-term, am I likely to continue struggling with tire selection due to 15" wheels?

[xj-jake]

Honestly probably yes. However think about it. How many cars, trucks, and vans were sold in the 90's and even the early 00's with 15" tires? There "should" be plenty of them around but there's not.

Even when you get to bigger tires 33, 34, 35's for a 15" rim they are getting tough to come by new too. (in my experience)

I currently have 34-12.50-15's on my jeep but I do have a set of 17" rims at home that have tires on them too. 17"s are a little easier to come by but not much

[packmule1911]

Found a used fifth 235/75R15, so a full size spare is accomplished. I'm getting some "whump" from one of the other ones. I imagine it's cupped from being on the ZJ and sitting stationary for 4 years.

When I can get new tires, it looks like there are plenty of offerings for 30 and 31, and that will be big enough for the lift I am likely going to end up with.