coralation between tire and wheel width...

[jekbrown]

hey guys, general question. I am gona get some 15" steel wheels for my 1-ton conversion (yes, i know i have to grind). I plan on running tires which will range any where from 35x12.5...all the way up to 39.5x15.5. Considering this, what width rim should I get? I know 12.5 wide tires are fine on a 10" wide rim....thats what I am running now...but what about a 15.5" wide tire? Any pros/cons to running a -wide- tire on a "narrow" rim? at what point is a rim to narrow for a tire? as always, thanks in advance!

J


See the on-going build up of my '85 Jimmy! <a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown>http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown</a>

 

[Triaged]

In general you want the rim width to be about the same as the tred width (not the section width). I have seen many people use 8" wide rims w/ 12.5" wide tires. They don't stick out so far as a 10" with the same back spacing and that saves you from wheel damage.

I am running 36x12.5 TSL's (that measure more like 13.5) and 10" wheels. I have had problems with getting stuff stuck in the bead and making the tire leak and have also broken one of my wheels (that was more of a spotter problem than anything else). I think I will be fine as soon as I go to wider tires (my next set will be 38's) and I think a 8" wheel would be to narrow for anything over what I have now.

'71 Blazer CST w/ a 400sbc, 4" lift, 36" Supper Swampers, and alot of rust
<a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/triaged>See it Here </a>

 

[jekbrown]

i see on interco's www site that the tread width on their 39.5x15x15 swamper is 13.0 inches..... LOL...I also see, now, that they recommend a 15x10" rim....maybe I should look for this kinda info on the manufacturers site *before* I make a post about it.

J


See the on-going build up of my '85 Jimmy! <a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown>http://community.webshots.com/user/jekbrown</a>

 

[EDdaTREE]

The "sweet spot" is about 2 to 3 inches...3 is kinda pushing it. Meaning if you ran a 15" TREAD-WIDTH on a "10 wide rim, you have 2.5 over on both sides...pushing it. You run into backspacing and leaf-spring clearance issues...not to mention center tread wear. General rule of thumb is keep it within 2 inches.

9/11/01..Never forget...Never forgive

 

[BadDog]

I'm running 42x15x15 TSLs on 15x8 rims.

Of course, it will probably see little or no time on the road, and most likely never over 15 psi. I did this (1) to help keep the tire on the rim (2) make it easier to seat WHEN it pops, and (3) to protect the wheel.

Russ

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, 205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked, 4" lift, 42" tires
Some day: massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.

 

[RootBreaker]

well I have a 33" tire mounted on a 8" rim
and my 40x17x16.5's are mounted on 12's... It says 17" but 15" tread width... the tire will tell you also on it... At least my Ground Hawgs say on the sidewall... Rated for 16.5x10 so I am at 12" which is over the specs of the manufacturer
my .02

<a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/album/31084112FenSPdZOrR>Pics of buildup</a>78 Chevy 3/4 - 14" on 40"x17x16.5 Hawgs

 

[m j]

38.5/16/16.5 specified rim 9.75x16.5
never lost a bead with them, wonder why
go with the manufacturer recommendation not 'in general' for goofy swampers
other tires I say rim width must = tread width

formerly 77chev
still a jerk though