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8" or 10" wheels

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by masterguns, Nov 29, 2011.

  1. masterguns

    masterguns New Member

    What are the advantages/disadvantages in selecting 8" or 10" wide 15" wheels?
     
    masterguns, Nov 29, 2011
    #1
  2. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    What size/ width tire?
     
    Patrick, Nov 29, 2011
    #2
  3. masterguns

    masterguns New Member

    31x10.50 R15's
     
    masterguns, Nov 29, 2011
    #3
  4. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    10" is too wide for that tire size IMHO. Stretches the side walls too much and if you air down the tires for trail running good chance of slipping a tire bead off the wheel. 8" max is what I'd recommend. I run 10" on 33"x12.50"x15" and am very mindful of my tire pressure. The 10" on your tire size is not tread width but section width, I.e. Basically the width of the sidewall from bulge to bulge.

    Edit. Should add that a 7" wheel width will lessen the chance of the tire bead slipping off. I like the wider wheel width as the tread is flatter to the ground. I get better floatation and tread wear from my tires, but again, have to watch my tire pressure closely. It will shorten the height of the tire somewhat and the tire will stick out farther past the fender.
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2011
    nickmil, Nov 29, 2011
    #4
  5. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    I agree with Nick. I ran 10" wheels with 12.50 wide tires, and when aired down for trails I was constantly getting stuff (mud/gravel) packed into the bead, causing leaks and flats.... and I was aired down oly to 15-18 lbs.

    With a 12.50 wide tire, most guys like to run an 8" wheel, 4.5" more narrow than the tire. This prevents the situation I described.

    4.5" more narrow with a 10.50 tire would put you at a 6" wheel, pretty narrow.
    A compromise for 10.50 wide tires is a 7" wheel, 3.5" more narrow than the tire.
    I run a 7" wheel with the 10.50 tires on my LJ and find this combination to work very well, and I have not packed any crap into a bead seat when aired down.

    With this experience in mind, I would run a 10" wheel with 12.50 tires only if I was running street-only, never airing down.
    For offroading, the 10" wheel is better suited to a tire wider than 12.50, such as Super Swamper LTBs... I think these are 13.50 wide.
     
    lynn, Nov 30, 2011
    #5
  6. hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    On my 5, I ran 8" wheels on 35x12.5 MTRs. I ran at 6 PSI offroad and never had a problem with the tire unseating or getting stuff in the bead. The only way I could see a 10" wheel is if you run a 13.5 or larger width tire.
     
    hudsonhawk, Nov 30, 2011
    #6
  7. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    I ran 10" wheels for years on my Blazers, with 33X12.50's with no problems. Like said above though, 10's are too wide for 10.50 tires. IMO.
     
    Patrick, Nov 30, 2011
    #7
  8. DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    I run 10"s on my cj, but I'm running 33x13.50 bias plys. For 10.50 tires, you definitely want a 7" or 8" wide rim.
     
    DrDanteIII, Nov 30, 2011
    #8
  9. johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    hum i did run 10.5 and 12.5 inch tire on a 8 inch wheel and i can say i never any problem while off roading within these two setup.
     
    johneyboy03, Nov 30, 2011
    #9
  10. bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    I have been doing most of my own tire mounts and dismounts in the garage since starting school to save a buck and what Ive found is getting the bead to set on a 33-12.50 on a 10 wide rim takes more finessing than the 8 wide rims. To me this would mean the bead would unseat easier. I have run my 12.50 wide tires on 8 rims down to 10 psi with no issues so far. I'm not sure I would be comfortable doing this with a 10" rim.
     
    bigjohn, Dec 1, 2011
    #10
  11. dellisoh

    dellisoh New Member

    Where's a good deal on plain black alloy wheels, 15x8 with correct backspacing and hub sized for CJ's (mine's an '83). The MB72 tested in the latest JP mag doesn't work with the larger hub of the CJ's.
     
    dellisoh, Dec 2, 2011
    #11
  12. 4dawudz

    4dawudz Dale

    My rule of thumb is that the rim should match the tread width (not section) has worked for most situations!

    How come nobody makes a steel 9" rim???

    Dale
     
    4dawudz, Dec 2, 2011
    #12