Rims

I dont know anything about rim size vs. tire size. what size rims do I need for my 75' cj5 running 31X10.5. bolt pattern? all I know about my current rims is they are 15inch, and I want new 15inch rims but I dont understant the whole rim width thing.

 

you need a 15x8x5.5 wheel 5.5 is your bolt pattern in inches.

 

You need to decide on diameter (15"), bolt pattern (5 on 5.5" diam), width (Duke recommends 8") and backspacing. I don't know what the backspacing should be, but someone here can recommend.

The tire manufacturer will recommend a rim size. Go to their web site. You can go a little narrower, but that will make the tire crown more, affecting wear pattern. Too wide affects wear too, and the rim sticking out is no longer protected by the sidewall.

 

Steel or Alloy? any difference in strenght?

 

For everything but Baja racing, I think both kinds are stronger than anything you can put them through. Steel will bend if you hit it hard enough, and alloy will break. Stamped steel holds the lug nuts better, since it compresses under the nut's force. Alloys should be retorqued occasionally. Alloys are somewhat lighter, lowering the unsprung weight.

For a Jeep owned by you or me, the only important difference is appearance IMO.

 

i had some black steel wheels (cause i love them) on a truck i used to abuse off road. i bent them up a bit from running around, slamming into stuff with tires aired down, and they had all kinds of little bends in them... this will happen with steelies, but the good side is, they bend back with a little love from a hammer. i haven't bent mine up too much with my jeep (as i'm not pre-running around like i did with my truck), but if i do smash into a rock, i know that i can bend them back if need be.

alloys are stronger in the sense they won't bend, but they will break or crack if hit hard enough. with a bent steelie, you can hammer it back enough to hold air, with a cracked alloy, you won't be holding air..

something else to consider with wheel width: 8" should be fine for 31's, and also 33's (unless they are real wide ones) if you ever decide to go that route down the road. you could also fit 7" wheels under 31's. if you go too narrow (as said above), it will make your tire look like a bicycle tire from the crowning. if you go too wide (like a 10" wide wheel on a 31) you won't have rim protection-which may be a big deal to you or not- but more importantly, if you air down your tire to low pressure for offroading, you risk a chance of popping your bead very easily.

every time i offroad, i air down to low pressure for traction, if my wheels were too wide, they would be coming off the bead constantly.

my 2cents on wheels.

 

I run 31-10.50s with an 8" wheel. I believe the backspacing is 3.75". Works perfect and has a good stance

 

how can I measure my current backspacing... the warden gave me the ok to buy new rims and tires. might jump to 32's at 10.5

 

Does that mean that wheels with a bigger back spacing stick out father?

anyone running 5 inch

 

ahh, thanks Lynn.

Where is a good place to get some cheep black Steel rims with 2 or 3 inch backspacing?

 

I haven't ordered rims from them yet but someone told me about this...

summit racing's custom order rims. you can specify backspacing, etc. the u.s. wheels seem to be the most inexpensive out of the brands they offer...

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+4294810874+115+400354

 

Would 2 inches look too wide? anyone got a pic?

 

As mentioned the rim width is going to be based on the tire width - most people will go with an 8" wide rim up to a 12.5" wide tire, doing this will help you hold a bead better (as opposed to a 10" wide rim) when airing down.

And no pics but I think you'd be best off with a 3.75" or 4" BS...

 

Thanks, I was refering to overall jeep stance not the tire/wheel width. I think I am going to order some rims today

thanks to all for the help!!! oh wait its morning... with bailys!R)

There may be some NICE Alloys in the classified seciton by Mid April....