Tire Sizes - What does more width give you?

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 8:45 pm

I'm looking to get new tires after I lift. I know a bigger diameter will give you a bit of lift and lower your drive ratio, but what effect does width have? I currently have 225/75/16 and was looking to go to a little bit bigger diameter (30"ish), but I'm still undecided on the width.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 11:27 pm

Most of us choose to go for 245/75-16s. They're about 31" tall. Width gives the wider footprint allowing the tire to "float" more on sand and snow. It also gives more traction(except some circumstances like rain, water, ice etc), but that normally means more rolling resistance.

I can tell you I'm happy with my 245/75-16 Duratracs. Don't get me wrong I would love bigger, but we're kinda limited lol.

jjohnson1892 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:55 am

I run 245/70/16 on a 16x7 wheel, so the width barely changed (if it even did) from stock. Some guys here run 245/75's on 8" width wheels but I've read that it can be bad to stretch the tire.

Width does give you better traction in some circumstances, but the 7" is great for DDing and hasn't caused issues with the mild wheeling I've done.

John3:17 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 25, 2013 11:20 am

jjohnson1892 wrote:

I run 245/70/16 on a 16x7 wheel, so the width barely changed (if it even did) from stock. Some guys here run 245/75's on 8" width wheels but I've read that it can be bad to stretch the tire.

Width does give you better traction in some circumstances, but the 7" is great for DDing and hasn't caused issues with the mild wheeling I've done.

7" with 245/75r16 - factory rims or aftermarket with 4" back spacing look good.

khalilw · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2011 10:37 am **Posts:** 81

I wonder if 265/70/16 or 265/65/17 (30.6'' tire but 20mm wider than 245.) would fit on stock rims without generating issues like rubbing on internal parts at full lock, of course with a good lift ~3''

Rubbing on the pinch well is not a problem.

JeepNCrowd · **Posted:** Wed Sep 25, 2013 11:49 am

IMO the more side wall the better. And overall tire height being equal a narrower tire is generally better. (Except in situations where floatation is desired)
I really like this article, and it explained a lot to me.http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html

ajohns1288 · **Posted:** Wed Sep 25, 2013 8:08 pm

JeepNCrowd wrote:

IMO the more side wall the better. And overall tire height being equal a narrower tire is generally better. (Except in situations where floatation is desired)
I really like this article, and it explained a lot to me.http://www.expeditionswest.com/research/white_papers/tire_selection_rev1.html

Thanks, something like this is exactly what I was looking for.

DREDnot · **Posted:** Sat Sep 28, 2013 2:09 am

Congratulations for not drinking the "wider is better" koolaid.

arengant · **Posted:** Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:19 am

ajohns1288 wrote:

I'm looking to get new tires after I lift. I know a bigger diameter will give you a bit of lift and lower your drive ratio, but what effect does width have? I currently have 225/75/16 and was looking to go to a little bit bigger diameter (30"ish), but I'm still undecided on the width.

More width gives you more tire weight

tommudd · **Posted:** Tue Oct 01, 2013 4:59 am

245-75-16 weighs approx 38 lbs
265-70-16 weighs 41 lb
both are close in height
3 lb total weight per tire, 12 lb total on the KJ/KK
I carry 5 times that in spare parts at least in mine so whats another 12 lb

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:17 pm

tommudd wrote:

245-75-16 weighs approx 38 lbs
265-70-16 weighs 41 lb
both are close in height
3 lb total weight per tire, 12 lb total on the KJ/KK
I carry 5 times that in spare parts at least in mine so whats another 12 lb

Based on Tom's numbers all this means is the driver has to lose 12lbs and you can have the wider tires :SOMBRERO:

arengant · **Posted:** Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:33 pm

Lol true...

We'll not worry about 12lbs unsprung weight versus sprung but 3 lbs isn't A LOT in that example.

Tire Sizes - What does more width give you?

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