35 or 37" - 17 or 18"

Hovgard

New member
Hi,

Newbie question, my Rubicon offroad use will mostly be in soft, sometimes really soft sand and sand dunes.

I'm planning to get Cooper AT3's as they work well here.

Would you choose a 17 or 18" rim for a 37" tire? thinking the more rubber I have the more surface area when aired down?

So far I'm looking at a wheel 17 x 9 with 4.50" of backspacing and a -12 offset. Could anyone tell me how that would sit compared to original, would it stick out a lot? 1.5 - 2" protrusion would not be an issue.


Thanks!

Ben
 

tx_ovrlnd

New member
35 or 37" - 17 or 18"

https://jlwrangler.com/showthread.php?2073-Tire-protrusion

Thank you, yes, I did see that thread but not sure about backspacing vs. offset and how I calculate that.

IMG_0473.JPG

https://www.willtheyfit.com
https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Wheel-Offset-Calculator
https://www.tyresizecalculator.com/tyre-wheel-calculators/wheel-offset-backspace-calculator

These are some sites I use to plan wheel setups, hope they help you plan. I’m not ready to get a JL just yet so I haven’t researched all there is to the wheel requirements but I guess now is as good a time as any lol.

Also remember that not every displayed size indicator is the actual dimension of the tire, check manufacturer websites to verify tire measurements when it comes to understanding exact fitment. Some tires marked 37x13.5 are actually 35x12 and some measure over which could cause unaccounted for rub.
 

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WiscoHR

Member
Hi,

Newbie question, my Rubicon offroad use will mostly be in soft, sometimes really soft sand and sand dunes.

I'm planning to get Cooper AT3's as they work well here.

Would you choose a 17 or 18" rim for a 37" tire? thinking the more rubber I have the more surface area when aired down?

So far I'm looking at a wheel 17 x 9 with 4.50" of backspacing and a -12 offset. Could anyone tell me how that would sit compared to original, would it stick out a lot? 1.5 - 2" protrusion would not be an issue.


Thanks!

Ben

17x9 with 4.5” backspacing should be good. As Eddie stated stick with 17” over 18”. You will find more tire size choices, and the price will be much more favorable. I run KMC Machetes with 3.5 backspace with 37x13.50 Coopers. With this set up at full stuff there is some rubbing on the fender flares. 4.5 with 12.50 should stuff inside and have a few less issues. Also my tires hate the rear fender liners. They have chewed them up, and I keep trimming them.


Sent from my iPhone using JL Wrangler Jeep Forum mobile app
 

tx_ovrlnd

New member
35 or 37" - 17 or 18"

Stock Rubicon info:
Wheel is 17x7.5 +44mm offset, 6in b/s
Center bore is 71.5mm
Lug thread is m14x1.5
Bolt pattern 5x127 (or 5x5)

Stock tire is LT285/70R17 with a load index of 116Q
 

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