Outer Limits 4x4 Board

30 years ago, if you wanted a good aftermarket wheel/tyre combo you would get 15". Later 16" became more common and arguably is the size with the greatest range of tyre availability at the moment. However 17" wheels and tyres are becoming more common - as are larger sizes for some vehicles.

I need to get some wheels made for my 101 which is 16" standard but I was thinking that 17" will give me more tyre options in the future. I am looking at 35 - 38" tyres.

Any thoughts??

Garry

I feel there will be 16/17inch tyres available in most combos for a long time yet.
but if your unsure, go 18's but the tyres are dear as poison

bogged wrote:I feel there will be 16/17inch tyres available in most combos for a long time yet.
but if your unsure, go 18's but the tyres are dear as poison

x2

17's only became "the new 16" fairly recently.

I vote for 17's and against 18's.

It seems like the 18" trend has been driven by "bling" and not function. 17" rims were pioneered in off road applications by BFG with the Krawler as a way of maintaining acceptable sidewall stability with tyre diameters over 35" there's a case for 18"s under this theory, however, from a performance standpoint, 17's seem to work up to 39", and above that, there's a good case for 20" rims - the next "functional" size.

note that BFG don't offer a tyre over 35" in under a 17" rim.

My next build will run 17" rims - it seems to be the new standard for 35"+ functional tyres- and I can appreciate why - by choice - I'd have Q78 16's rather than 15's - they are a bit more stable.

Steve.

I think its popular to mod(but maybe they dont need it??) 20inch mog rims to suit the 101 in uk/europe.....then it opens you up to all the 4x4milatary/commercial tyres

Serg

Ps what stud pattern on Mogs? I think 101s are 6 on 6.5?????

The aim is to have access to a greater range of larger tyres - so 17s may be the way to go. 18s have a real limited range and are more road focussed. Unimog wheels do fit but again most of the tyres are truck orientated rather than modern LT offroad radials.

17 FTW!!!

I am only saying that cause that is what i got.

What Steve said. But be prepared to outlay much more $$ for tyres as rim diameter increases - it is hard to see why they cost so much more unless it is production volume.

I need 17" wheels to fit over my brake callipers. If they would fit, I would buy new 16" wheels and tyres for probably what 17" tyres cost me, and save $$$ when replacement tyres are required.

15,s have been around for years and they are still around in every combo you want. I would stick to 16,s unless you want to pay the extra for 17,s every time you need to replace. Also 16,s are legal on your vehicle.

Cris

Bush65 wrote:What Steve said. But be prepared to outlay much more $$ for tyres as rim diameter increases - it is hard to see why they cost so much more unless it is production volume.

I need 17" wheels to fit over my brake callipers. If they would fit, I would buy new 16" wheels and tyres for probably what 17" tyres cost me, and save $$$ when replacement tyres are required.

The reason for higher costs on bigger diameter rim tires would have to be due to the larger bead area that needs to be made.

If not I can see no real reason why they should cost so much more.

Cheers

[quote="Bush65"]If they would fit, I would buy new 16" wheels and tyres for probably what 17" tyres cost me, and save $$$ when replacement tyres are required.[/quote]

Other than the original 16x6.5" wheels you cannot buy wheels that fit due to the unique stud pattern so I need to get some 16x8 or 17x8 made which based to the quotes I have received is expensive. Standard tyres are 35 - 36" so there will by no legal issues if overall rolling diameter stays around 36" - 37". The increased cost of 17" tyres over 16" tyres is not such an issue.

Garry

just read above ^^^^, cleared things up.

Garry, did you try eastern wheel works for rims? They custom make them

Serg

[quote="uninformed"]Garry, did you try eastern wheel works for rims? They custom make them

Serg[/quote]

Yeah - about $400 a rim - ouch

garrycol wrote:

Bush65 wrote:If they would fit, I would buy new 16" wheels and tyres for probably what 17" tyres cost me, and save $$$ when replacement tyres are required.

Other than the original 16x6.5" wheels you cannot buy wheels that fit due to the unique stud pattern so I need to get some 16x8 or 17x8 made which based to the quotes I have received is expensive. Standard tyres are 35 - 36" so there will by no legal issues if overall rolling diameter stays around 36" - 37". The increased cost of 17" tyres over 16" tyres is not such an issue.

Garry

so would you go 17x9's instead?

[quote="bogged"]so would you go 17x9's instead?[/quote]

Maybe - depending on the narrowest tyres in the size that I can get. I haven't looked in detail at tyres as yet.

Garry