Sorry for the newbie question, but what is the right way to think about rim size selection - for example, if you are going to run 33x12.5's BF Goodrich M/Ts, how should I think about rim diameter - 15" vs 17", etc. and rim width?
CK5
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Rim size vs. tire size
- Thread starter adkm1009
- Start date
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
personally i like the look of a "12.5" wide tire mounted on an 8 or 9" wheel, anything wider and to me, it seems to roll the sidewalls alittle too much.
as far as rim size? what exactly are you asking? you can run whatever you want, but beware that with all the new larger rim sizes, being 17" or larger, you may have problems finding tires for warranty if ever needed, for the 15" size, especially towards the middle/end of the year.
they only make so many on a run, and if they happen to run out during the year, they go on back-order until the next run happens.
as far as rim size? what exactly are you asking? you can run whatever you want, but beware that with all the new larger rim sizes, being 17" or larger, you may have problems finding tires for warranty if ever needed, for the 15" size, especially towards the middle/end of the year.
they only make so many on a run, and if they happen to run out during the year, they go on back-order until the next run happens.
As far as tire diameter (guessing you are buying new wheels as well) i would choose a tire diameter that has many options for sizes that you might decide to run. As far as rim width for a 12.5" tire i like mounting those on an 8" wide wheel. Keep in mind that if you run low tire pressures when wheeling the narrower the wheel is the better ability the tire has of staying seated on the bead.
dfl701
1/2 ton status
you could easily fit those 33s on a stock rim if thats what your trying to do. just assuming of course thats what you wanna do
I think he is trying to compare the Diameter of the wheel in relation to the tire.
e.g a 33in tire on a 17inch wheel v. a 33inch tire on a 15inch wheel
Ive kinda wondered that myself.
It seems to me the 17 would allow less tire flex since there is less sidewall to compress? i dunno I think 17s look dumb on anything smaller than a 37. Too much wheel to tire ratio lol
e.g a 33in tire on a 17inch wheel v. a 33inch tire on a 15inch wheel
Ive kinda wondered that myself.
It seems to me the 17 would allow less tire flex since there is less sidewall to compress? i dunno I think 17s look dumb on anything smaller than a 37. Too much wheel to tire ratio lol
Stomis
Professional Amateur
The only advantage a bigger wheel will offer is less deflection on the street in turns (which you'll never ever tell on a 33) and the ability to fit bigger brakes.
17in wheels are becoming the standard now it seems. MT companies are beginning to phase out the 15in wheel although I dont think they ever will for the 33in size. I know its almost gone for 37s with a few companies.
The other thing to consider is possible future choices for tire replacement. If your gonna go with an MT right now and possibly move to an MTR or TSL in the future down the road you would want to opt for a wheel size that will accommodate both.
17in wheels are becoming the standard now it seems. MT companies are beginning to phase out the 15in wheel although I dont think they ever will for the 33in size. I know its almost gone for 37s with a few companies.
The other thing to consider is possible future choices for tire replacement. If your gonna go with an MT right now and possibly move to an MTR or TSL in the future down the road you would want to opt for a wheel size that will accommodate both.
Adventurous 4x4
1/2 ton status
I would run them on a 17x8" rim. On the street they will give you a little better handling and on the trail if you air down you will hold the bead a little better.
4xcrazy
3/4 ton status
a 33" tire on a 15" rim, is the same as my 35" tire on a 17" rim, same amount of sidewall in relation, so yeah, it looks real stupid.
just my opinion i guess, but also i think 37"-44" or whatever huge tire looks goofy on a 15" rim as well, WAY too much bubbly sidewall, makes them look like they should be able to float on water. :P
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a 33" tire on a 15" rim, is the same as my 35" tire on a 17" rim, same amount of sidewall in relation, so yeah, it looks real stupid.
just my opinion i guess, but also i think 37"-44" or whatever huge tire looks goofy on a 15" rim as well, WAY too much bubbly sidewall, makes them look like they should be able to float on water. :P
Good thing i compared it to a 37 and not a 35 so your point makes no sense
i think a 33 on a 15 looks a whole lot better than a 35 on a 17. Sure the ratio is the same, but the look is different. Im not a fan of big wheels
runamok151
1 ton status
the general rule of thumb is that your rim diameter shouldn't be more than 1/2 of the tire diameter for a rig that goes off road. for any given tire diameter, the larger diameter wheel means less sidewall. less sidewall means less tire deflection over/ around trail objects and more chance to damage the rim when aired down or to peel the tire off the bead. any 15" -17" rim would be close enough to half of any tire in the 33"-35" range. i wouldn't run a 20" or 22" wheel on a 33" tire though. leave that to the mall crawlers.
vortec
1/2 ton status
Good thing i compared it to a 37 and not a 35 so your point makes no sense
i think a 33 on a 15 looks a whole lot better than a 35 on a 17. Sure the ratio is the same, but the look is different. Im not a fan of big wheels
actually, the ratio is not the same:
33" on 15" = 2.20:1
35" on 17" = 2.06:1
and...
35" on 16" = 2.18:1
(rounded do nearest hundredth)
i have 33x12.5 on 15x8 rims. i like the look and they work great on and off road. the tires are technically made for 8.5" wide minimum rims but no problem.
79general
Registered Member
here is my $0.02 on this. it all depends on what you want to get out if the truck. if you plan to drive it on the street most of the time the 17 in wheel will give you less of a "floating" feel on the pavement due to less side wall on the tire. for off road use i like a smaller rim because when you air down your tires there is more side wall allowing more of a molding effect around obstacles. i am currently pricing tires and i noticed that in 37X12.50 tires the 15in are about 20 to 40 bucks cheaper per tire than the 17inchers. as for width on a 12.50 i would go no wider than a 9in and i prefer an 8in. i had a landcruiser with 35X12.50 on 15X10 rims and you could not air them down past 25 PSI because the bead would come off waaaaaay too easy. all that is just my opinion based on my experience i hope it helps some.
