17 x 8.5 better than 17 x 7.5?

[Yotota]

True but just because you have a big wheel doesn't mean you will for sure poke.

I have 17x9.5 +45 TE37SL on my WRX hatch but it doesn't poke because of the +45.

I've found it takes almost nothing to get "flush" fitment on these truck if you have an SR/SR5. 265s on 17x7 sticks out a little beyond the fender.

For sure. I'm just saying that with a "stretched" tire setup, where the wheel is wider than the tire, increasing width and keeping the same offset will give a bit more poke (half of the width increase).

Sponsored

 

[Yotota]

so what is the maximum tire width can my 17x8.5 wheels accommodate? Can I safely go to 315?

Depends on the tire.

But let's talk about the Falken AT4W (my favorite AT). Attached is the spec sheet.

An LT315/70R17 AT4W allows for a wheel width range of 8.0" - 11.0", and that size was designed for a 9.5" wheel. So an 8.5" wheel would work, but just barely. The sidewalls will angle inwards a bit more than designed and the tread of the tire might be ever so slightly more rounded, instead of flat.

The LT285/70R17 AT4W was designed for an 8.5" wheel.

 

[Taco Ji]

Depends on the tire.

But let's talk about the Falken AT4W (my favorite AT). Attached is the spec sheet.

An LT315/70R17 AT4W allows for a wheel width range of 8.0" - 11.0", and that size was designed for a 9.5" wheel. So an 8.5" wheel would work, but just barely. The sidewalls will angle inwards a bit more than designed and the tread of the tire might be ever so slightly more rounded, instead of flat.

The LT285/70R17 AT4W was designed for an 8.5" wheel.

That is my current setup and tires. Judy curious if I got wider tires if it would fit.

 

[Taco Ji]

Depends on the tire.

But let's talk about the Falken AT4W (my favorite AT). Attached is the spec sheet.

An LT315/70R17 AT4W allows for a wheel width range of 8.0" - 11.0", and that size was designed for a 9.5" wheel. So an 8.5" wheel would work, but just barely. The sidewalls will angle inwards a bit more than designed and the tread of the tire might be ever so slightly more rounded, instead of flat.

The LT285/70R17 AT4W was designed for an 8.5" wheel.

Also just saw this on IG feed.

 

[shackley]

so what is the maximum tire width can my 17x8.5 wheels accommodate? Can I safely go to 315?

I had the formula on my Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and no problem with a 2" factory lift. I assume thee wouldn't be a problem, at least with TRD Pros and Trailhunters, although there will be a lot of cutting.

 

[tacorancher]

Also just saw this on IG feed.

I personally like wider tires with slightly narrower wheels. First, it forms a tighter seal on the bead. Second, it’s got the “bumps and the pumps” and looks nice and juicy.

 

[Taco Ji]

I personally like wider tires with slightly narrower wheels. First, it forms a tighter seal on the bead. Second, it’s got the “bumps and the pumps” and looks nice and juicy.

100% agreed.

 

[tacorancher]

For sure. I'm just saying that with a "stretched" tire setup, where the wheel is wider than the tire, increasing width and keeping the same offset will give a bit more poke (half of the width increase).

I’m not following this.

 

[Yotota]

I’m not following this.

With a stretched tire setup, the wheel itself is wider than the tire. Like this:

(Yes, it's a silly stance car thing and it drives like crap)

The "poke" in that kind of setup is the actual wheel, not the tire - so when the wheel gets wider, it pokes out more.

 

[Yotota]

I personally like wider tires with slightly narrower wheels. First, it forms a tighter seal on the bead. Second, it’s got the “bumps and the pumps” and looks nice and juicy.

This is a benefit - it's less likely to unseat a bead at lower pressure, since the tire is naturally pulling the sidewall out into the bead lip.

We used to do this back in the day on our cheap redneck wheeling trucks by running 12.5" wide tires on 8" wide steel wagon wheels.

 

[shackley]

I personally like wider tires with slightly narrower wheels. First, it forms a tighter seal on the bead. Second, it’s got the “bumps and the pumps” and looks nice and juicy.

It would be a fun experiment (if you did the experiment!) to see if aired down to say 15 lbs that it would stay on the bead better than a truck with narrower tires on a wider wheel. My Jeep with 35s was aired down to 18 lbs when doing rock work (35s with 8.5" wide wheels), and never had a problem rock crawling. My TH with 285s on 8.5" wide wheels hasn't been aired down yet. I assume that it will be fine, but that is a narrower tire (about 8.5" vs about 12") and we'll see. Mickey Thompson recommends 8.5" width for the Baja Boss A/T 285/70/17s. I assume they're taking airing down into account given that they build Baja race vehicles, but who knows. Given that Toyota doesn't care about the battery trouble hybrids are having ("it's normal"), I have my doubts about corporate America, or Japan in this case.

 

[shackley]

Also just saw this on IG feed.

I'm wondering with the 315s and a +25mm offset that the tire might rub on the inside during full articulation. Have you experienced that? I ran 315s on my factory lifted Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, but it has a lot more clearance than the THs. Your sure looks good though.

 

[Taco Ji]

I'm wondering with the 315s and a +25mm offset that the tire might rub on the inside during full articulation. Have you experienced that? I ran 315s on my factory lifted Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, but it has a lot more clearance than the THs. Your sure looks good though.

I have 285 with zero offset in factory suspension and no rubs. With +25 offset I think it’s doable or with very minimal trimming.

 

[izzy]

I have 285 with zero offset in factory suspension and no rubs. With +25 offset I think it’s doable or with very minimal trimming.

You're fine to go with the smallest wheel the tire manufacturer deems acceptable.

I've got 265s on 17x7, looks nice and rides well at 29psi. According to the tire spec, x7 is the smallest wheel they should be mounted to.

On trucks you're not taking sidewall flex into consideration when looking at handling (because it's a truck not a sports car) so fuck it, run thick tires on a small wheel.

 

[shackley]

It would be a fun experiment (if you did the experiment!) to see if aired down to say 15 lbs that it would stay on the bead better than a truck with narrower tires on a wider wheel. My Jeep with 35s was aired down to 18 lbs when doing rock work (35s with 8.5" wide wheels), and never had a problem rock crawling. My TH with 285s on 8.5" wide wheels hasn't been aired down yet. I assume that it will be fine, but that is a narrower tire (about 8.5" vs about 12") and we'll see. Mickey Thompson recommends 8.5" width for the Baja Boss A/T 285/70/17s. I assume they're taking airing down into account given that they build Baja race vehicles, but who knows. Given that Toyota doesn't care about the battery trouble hybrids are having ("it's normal"), I have my doubts about corporate America, or Japan in this case.

What were those light wheels you have in your video with your son? I couldn't hear exactly what you said.

Sponsored