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Can I run 15" wheels on my Willy's?

Discussion in 'Wrangler JK (2007-2017)' started by HotRodN, Jan 26, 2018.

  1. Feb 7, 2018 at 7:09 PM
    #21
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    As Jeff said, "Plies" are only for a bias ply tire. Personally, I prefer, and currently run, C load rated tires. I never run a higher pressure than 40 psi (35 actually), nor any real loads, and I like a little softer sidewall (not sure if load rating affects this), so a D or E range tire is wasted for my needs.
     
    JKBob 25[QUOTED] likes this.
  2. Feb 7, 2018 at 8:02 PM
    #22
    boondoc89

    boondoc89 Well-Known Member

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    3 inch zone lift. Fox 2.0 shocks. 35 inch nitto ridge grapplers. Bushwacker flat fenders. No name steel bumpers front and back for now.
    I have E rated tires on my rig. And here's why... E rated tired are really meant for trucks that are towing shit therefore needing a stronger sidewall. I don't tow anything with my jeep but I like a little stiffer sidewall just for strength against punctures on the trail. But even then shit still happens when you party naked
     
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  3. Feb 8, 2018 at 12:08 AM
    #23
    HardHat420

    HardHat420 Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like they'r finally making lower load ranges in 17.

    In 2013 I was looking for a load range C (6 ply) for my 4runner and there were only 3 options at the time and only a handful in D rated.

    Originally I wanted 15s for the 4runner but it has to be 17 or greater on that rig.

    Ended up with maxxis buckshot 2s and loved them. I put then on the jeep after the 4runner and they did great.

    That is until they got smoked by the the larger sidewall when I went down to 15s.

    IMO a 32x17 and a 35x15 feel very similar while driving and braking. The difference is very negligible. But the benefits of having 15s kickass off-road.
     
  4. Feb 8, 2018 at 9:02 AM
    #24
    OFFGRID

    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

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    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    For every benefit there is a sacrifice and visa versa.
     
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  5. Feb 9, 2018 at 10:26 AM
    #25
    HardHat420

    HardHat420 Well-Known Member

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    Knuckle and tie rod ends.

    20180208_122935.jpg
     
  6. Feb 9, 2018 at 11:05 AM
    #26
    Blue Baby Sound

    Blue Baby Sound Well-Known Member

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    There are ways to make anything work, and then there are best practices. The way to make a 15" wheel work is with extremely low backspacing (like you pictured). The down side to that is horrible scrub radius which results in extreme ball joint and unit bearing wear. Anytime we change BS for wheel fitment it affects the scrub radius, but there has to be a balance in there somewhere.

    If your Jeep is not a DD, no problem. But those of us that have to drive ours every day should keep these things in mind. Again, can it be done or should it be done.

    Pic below is a 17x9 wheel with 3.75" BS, you can see how close an upgraded tie rod end comes to it.

    oJacXY_f1b3c654f186632c98808798b323ad6fe983cbab.jpg
     
  7. Feb 9, 2018 at 11:21 AM
    #27
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    Man....I can only imagine the moment loading on those poor bearings.
     
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  8. Feb 9, 2018 at 11:48 AM
    #28
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    That's some beefy tie-rod and knuckles in that pic of your TF axle.
     
  9. Feb 9, 2018 at 12:59 PM
    #29
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

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    I'm drooling over the flag on it....
     
  10. Feb 9, 2018 at 1:03 PM
    #30
    Blue Baby Sound

    Blue Baby Sound Well-Known Member

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    The 1 1/2 ton ends on the steersmarts stuff are some of the biggest I've seen. Great company if you're ever in the market!!
     
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  11. Feb 9, 2018 at 1:47 PM
    #31
    boondoc89

    boondoc89 Well-Known Member

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    3 inch zone lift. Fox 2.0 shocks. 35 inch nitto ridge grapplers. Bushwacker flat fenders. No name steel bumpers front and back for now.
    Yea that's pretty awesome
     
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  12. Feb 9, 2018 at 6:57 PM
    #32
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    @Blue Baby Sound. Awesome info on the scrub radius. I remember you posting on that in the past. My first thought on hardhats post. Holy crap. How long will his ball joints last. Anyway.

    I'm looking at upgrading tie rod and drag link. And I also remember your post while you were building your Wife's rig. While searching tie rods. I found the Steer Smarts Yeti. Again, remembering your post. But I was curious as to your experience with it. Any issues with it good bad and indifferent. Also. Do you recommend replacing any thing else along with THAT tie rod? Im also looking at TeraFlex's HD tie rod and drag link. I know as a DD. I really don't need them. But I do plan on hitting up some trails this year. Just want the best under my Jeep. Thanks.
     
  13. Feb 10, 2018 at 6:23 AM
    #33
    Blue Baby Sound

    Blue Baby Sound Well-Known Member

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    Our '14 has about 75k miles, all on 37s. A couple of years ago when I started researching tie rods for that Jeep I decided on steersmarts. So I had 2 years of pretty heavy beating on their tie/rod drag link combo when we started the wife's build. The wife's won't see a lot of action on the rocks, but mine does. It's taken everything I've given it.

    The only downside is their size, they're huge!! It takes a bit on the install to get all the bolts in the right place so there's no rubbing when stuffed.

    I haven't tried the TF, so I can't offer any experience on it.

    We've been busy on the wife's build lately, but here's a few shots of the '14 from the last year.

    ox7vHX_76269d6d6059fea3bbfa41eb01b3ef61d470ffa1.jpg

    m4zb5z_3165754f0fa3abe3328e7ef9c1de93d296d2ee12.jpg


     
  14. Feb 10, 2018 at 8:10 AM
    #34
    aggrex

    aggrex Well-Known Member

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    Nice video! Just as impressive as the Super bowl JL traversing the rocks and water
     
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  15. Feb 10, 2018 at 12:41 PM
    #35
    Blue Baby Sound

    Blue Baby Sound Well-Known Member

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    LOL, dude in that commercial is a lot more liberal with the skinny pedal than I am!!
     
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  16. Feb 10, 2018 at 6:56 PM
    #36
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Awesome. Thank you very much Jeff @Blue Baby Sound. Have some cash to save up. So I have a little time to decide. I really like that Yeti set up. If I decide to go with that set up. You have any issues takin a road trip to NJ to help me install them??? Beers on me. Lol. Thanks again for your info. Much appreciated Jeff.
     
  17. Feb 11, 2018 at 5:46 PM
    #37
    Blue Baby Sound

    Blue Baby Sound Well-Known Member

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    Tempting .... :)
     
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  18. Feb 13, 2018 at 9:33 PM
    #38
    HardHat420

    HardHat420 Well-Known Member

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    I'm cool with that.

    Nice setup!
     
  19. Feb 13, 2018 at 9:37 PM
    #39
    HardHat420

    HardHat420 Well-Known Member

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    This video is freakin A-mazing. Looks like something at an amusement or water park.
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018
  20. Feb 13, 2018 at 9:41 PM
    #40
    HardHat420

    HardHat420 Well-Known Member

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    Scrub radius shmadius. Doesn't matter. My jeep didn't flex nowhere near as good as it does now with the wider stance. Additionally it feels even better on streets and highways now.

    Watch "Jeep jk with 35s and 6 inch lift" on YouTube
    https://youtu.be/Ze4PK2IpWGo
     
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018

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