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20" wheels?

TNH

TNH

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I haven't been around lifted rigs/off-roaders for almost ten years, but I just recently picked up a GMC Jimmy and I am getting into wheeling again.
Back when I was into trucks, the largest wheel I ever saw on these type of rigs were 16.5". Now I am seeing lifted trucks with 20's and larger, and I see that many of the tire manufacturers are making off road tires to fit these large diameter wheels.

Is there any reason for the larger wheels other than looks? Are there any kind of performance benefits at all (on or off road)?
 
17" would be a better choice just for the tire options. Anything bigger is really useless, IMO. Unless you are using Rocks or some Michelins that only come in a 20" size.
 
yep i work at a tire store and there is tons of options in 17" these days.

and basicly anything bigger is just the bling bling crap.
 
I remember one guy on the toyota boards had blingin ass 20s and we all made fun of him til he showed us picks of them aired down like crazy holding the bead no prob.
 
If you run a REALLY big tire, it may be a little friendlier on the street to have larger dia. wheels, but I can't see doing it unless you were gonna run 49's or something. I'll admit to owning a set of 20" wheels, they're the stock wheels on my 'mog axles.:D Now I just gotta get them under the truck.:doah:
 
Baaah. I'll admit to owning and operating polished 22s...........although they originally came off a Freightliner Classic :D
 
Stomis said:
I remember one guy on the toyota boards had blingin ass 20s and we all made fun of him til he showed us picks of them aired down like crazy holding the bead no prob.
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Yeah but he's got a lot less sidewall to cushion the bumps and bangs and to simply be between the rim and whatever might damage it.


I MIGHT join the 20" crowd in the next couple years...only because you can't find these Michelin XL's in 16" sizes all that much anymore. Meanwhile Continental makes a similar tire...but the smallest size is on 20" wheels.:doah:
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Yeah but he's got a lot less sidewall to cushion the bumps and bangs and to simply be between the rim and whatever might damage it.


I MIGHT join the 20" crowd in the next couple years...only because you can't find these Michelin XL's in 16" sizes all that much anymore. Meanwhile Continental makes a similar tire...but the smallest size is on 20" wheels.:doah:
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I think he had like 40's or 42's.
 
Ah, you didn't specify. Though we were talking smaller tires here.

Mine would likely end up being 39-40" tires myself.
 
17's would be my choice. Just look at the pricing on 20" wheel diameter tires :eek1:

I just paid $1200 for a new set of 35" Mickey Thompson MTZ's for my 17" wheels on my DD. I can't imagine what a 20 would have cost
 
Im not sure why guys think all bigger rim tires are way out there.

case point- although slightly different application

I paid $1500 canadian dollars for 6 305/45r22 Nittos.
 
they do fine.

IMG00111-20090613-2143.jpg

IMG00105-20090613-2138.jpg









yo :draw:
 
It's my opinion that if you do rocks (mud and sand are a little different deal) that you should almost always go with the smallest practical rim size possible. I use the rule that my tires have to be at least twice the diameter of my wheels as a starting point.

Now, I fully understand that many modern trucks can't run anything smaller than a 17 because of big brakes and such, but the only reason to run an aftermarket 20 in my opinion is the bling factor. (or, in rare cases axle requirements like Rockwells....but then you're probably running a 46+ inch tires, so the double rule still works)

I'm not saying I don't think people have a right to run 20s, 22s, 24s on their pimped out Escalade...I actually like the look of it if it's nicely tucked, well done, and street driven only... but if you plan to drive over anything crazier than a graded dirt road, you're being counterproductive to go larger than 17, both for tire selection and expense.

I've got some nice scars on the sidewalls of my tires that are easily far enough inboard that if I had 20 inch wheels they'd be rock rashed and bent all to hell at this point!
 
Desert Yeti said:
It's my opinion that if you do rocks (mud and sand are a little different deal) that you should almost always go with the smallest practical rim size possible. I use the rule that my tires have to be at least twice the diameter of my wheels as a starting point.

Now, I fully understand that many modern trucks can't run anything smaller than a 17 because of big brakes and such, but the only reason to run an aftermarket 20 in my opinion is the bling factor. (or, in rare cases axle requirements like Rockwells....but then you're probably running a 46+ inch tires, so the double rule still works)

I'm not saying I don't think people have a right to run 20s, 22s, 24s on their pimped out Escalade...I actually like the look of it if it's nicely tucked, well done, and street driven only... but if you plan to drive over anything crazier than a graded dirt road, you're being counterproductive to go larger than 17, both for tire selection and expense.

I've got some nice scars on the sidewalls of my tires that are easily far enough inboard that if I had 20 inch wheels they'd be rock rashed and bent all to hell at this point!
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I have heard this many times too. Rim should be no bigger than half the diameter of the tire. Personally I like the looks and ride of 15" wheels no matter the tire diameter. However I don't plan on going any bigger than 37" down the line. Now I have 15" on 35's.
 
Ian from Xtreme 4x4 pointed out that the "new thing" is planning for a 12.5" tread to rim distance, I believe that is why you are seeing more and more 20" wheels for rock crawling. He added that a aired down 44" tire on a 15" wheel has less lateral stability when the front end is up on a large obstacle.
 
fishinnutt said:
Ian from Xtreme 4x4 pointed out that the "new thing" is planning for a 12.5" tread to rim distance, I believe that is why you are seeing more and more 20" wheels for rock crawling. He added that a aired down 44" tire on a 15" wheel has less lateral stability when the front end is up on a large obstacle.
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That means I should be running 12" wheels with my 37's. Damn, I knew I was doing it all wrong.:doah: Ian's an idiot.:haha:
I run 17's so they will clear 1T brakes and for the tire availability.
 
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