15'' or 16'' wheels - which size should I get? (1 Viewer)

[toesonthenose]

hello,

I have a 1988 land cruise FJ62 that has a lift on it and currently has 31x10.5x15s and I am want to get a new tire and wheel set up, though I am not sure which size to get.

the wheel that I want is offered in a 15x7 or 16x8. is there an advantage to a 16'' tire or vice versa? I don't do much off roading and would be putting a BFG all terrain on it. please help so I don't buy the wrong size. I don't want the wheels to stick out .. just want a clean looking set up.

thanks for looking and insight. what would you do?

 

[JohnVee]

Either 15" or 16" will clear the brakes just fine. Technically, the 15" tire will have more "squish factor" than a 16" of the same type due to the larger sidewall, but probably not noticeable. What's the price difference in tire sizes? Wheel sizes? Consider in-stock availability at tire shops if you wheel it hard and might need to buy another tire immediately while out somewhere.

Wheels sticking out is caused by the wrong backspacing, not diameter, so the right wheel will look right regardless of diameter.

15" in a stock looking wheel will look more correct but if you're getting something modern maybe 16's will look better, then it's up to you to decide. I think tirerack.com or discounttire.com has a feature that lets you look at a tire/wheel combo on your model vehicle. Not sure if they have a 62 or not - worth a look.

Where are you located?

--john

 

[toesonthenose]

hi John,

I am in south Carolina. am have been trying to decide which set to go with now for 3 weeks. the wheels are the KMC Enduro and the tires are the BFG all terrains, I have it narrowed down to;

wheels 16x8 tire 265x75x16
wheel 15x7 tire 31x10.5x15

I thought they would be close enough but saw a pic of the two next to each other (different wheel and tire set up but same sizes) the the 265x75x16 looked so much bigger.. so I got scared. what back spacing should I go with? thank you for any insight and advise you can offer. attached is a pic of my truck and a pic of the tire size difference.

 

[toesonthenose]

I guess it will not let me upload the pics. I can email if you like?

 

[Cracker]

Only problem with going 15", is that they are becoming a dying breed, and choices will become limited and harder to find in 15".

 

[JohnVee]

Go here and check out the Tires and Wheels section. It might give you some answers. Then use Search Advanced for any relevant terms you want to find.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/13183-fj60-fj62-faq-start-here-come-back-often.html

I'm not a 60 guy but I know that there are sometimes problems fitting aftermarket rims with any vehicle. Rubbing the calipers is usually the biggest issue. Using Search will help you find what issues people are having with certain models/sizes. The larger diameter rims help to eliminate this, but BS is still important.

A similar looking rim is the Mojave ATX398. Plenty of folks have them so there's bound to be a BS that works for you.

Check out the Clubhouse for Swamp Fox Land Cruisers. They're a Charleston-area group.

Let us know what you decide.

--john

 

[spn004]

The Enduro in a 15X9 will not clear the knuckle fyi

Sent from my phone so excuse errors please - using IH8MUD