wheels and tires

I am at the point in my build up of the 57 cj5 where I need tires. I have a set of old western wheels. which are I believe 15x10. There was a set of old tires which were an unknown size "MUDDER" "LT15" I have a 3 inch Black Diamond lift and 1 1/2 shackles I just installed.
1)How do I figure out what size tires will fit on the wheels? I am thinking 32 or 33 tires but what are the other measurements to be looking at?
2) mostly road driving but some off road. What tire is recommended?

Thanks for the help...

 

When determining what size will fit, just make sure that you have space enough for articulation in the wheel wells. Also keep in mind (at least as far as the f-head is concerned) the width of the tires your putting on. This also comes into play if you are using the ross steering box, (wide tires add alot of rolling resistance and like to wander). As a personal preference for mostly road driving, I would recommend some decent a/t's. I have used many mud tires, and replaced them all very quickly, (say 20-30,000 miles if your lucky), the more aggressive the tread you get the bumpier, louder, and generally less pleasant the road manners become. A good set of a/t's will get you through almost anything you will come across, just not deep thick mud. However if you do go with a mud terrain, I highly recommend a radial with a nice firm compound, (such as pro-comp or bfgoodrich), siping is usually a plus for when it rains as well.

 

Will 12.5x33x15 fit on a 15x10 wheel? I was thinking about ats and mor aggressive off road tires. I still want something that looks aggressive for the road but is a good all weather tire.

 

Yes they will. BFG at ko's are a good choice. If you had a 8" rim the 33x10.50r15 would be a good fit but run what you got I guess.

 

I'd look for a 8" rim and get all the turning radios you can. I'd stick with a 33 10.5" as well and I like my superswamper radials there great!

 

I agree with windyhill too. 33x10.5r15 are a good combo. I run 34x9.50R15 Super Swamper TSL on 15x7 rims and they are awesome. I like narrow tires better than wide tires. My CJ5 had 33x12.50r15 on 15x8 rims and I did not like them too much. It was hard to steer. The narrow tires will be easier to steer and you get better fuel mileage.

 

I am still looking at various tires sizes. ANy source to view pics of the various sizes side by side? By the way, I converted to the power steering kit sold by Herm. I also did the front disc and rear drum upgrade.

 

Here is a pic of mine with 33x10.50x15 on 8" rims. I have a 2 1/2 " lift. Rubs a little at the rear lower corner.

 

I would suggest the 8 inch wide rims. The 10 will work for either, but you will get a better results with an 8 if you air your tires down. The 10s often pop beads on low air pressures , more on the 31 10.5 than the 33 12.5 . Please post your results , as i have just upgraded to discs all around and am pondering rims. Quadratec has some good pics of tires to eyeball. I have run many kinds of skins on my TJ , and I am fond of the Goodrich KOs for anything but serious mud . I think a 33 12.5 aggresive tread tire would be a handfull with anything but power steering.

 

Groomer guy - What wheels did you use for 34x9.5x15 tsl's? I'm getting ready to order the same tire, but am having a hard time finding a 15x7 wheel that has a really small backspace. I want to get the smallest turning radius as possible so I was trying to push the tires out with the wheels, but I'd appreciate some personal experience to guide me in the choice.

Thanks.

 

62CJ5,

I have the American Racing rims AT 767 with a 15x7 size. They work well and I only get a little rubbing when I crank it all the way over. They are back steel wheels. Crager and a few others make 15x7's with the back spacing we need. Hope this helps. Oh I can't remember what back spacing I have. Basically the outside of the tire is almost flush with my fender.

 

glad the site is coming back up. I got the BFG KM2s for all 4 wheels. I have 15x10 wheels. I got 32x11.5x15 tires all around. I bought a spare steel wheel from us steel and bought a cheaper tire (same size). I had a hard time finding them on line but my tire guy got them for me no problem. I went ahead and bought the trail mate 1 from cross enterprises for a spare carrier. It is on the way. I can get pics if anyone wants..

Paul 57CJ5