Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

OK, here's some advice.....I'd go for a smaller size rim but try to keep roughly the same tire diameter.That's because the more you change the tire diameter, the greater the error in your speedometer readings, unless you recalibrate it. Also, your Jeep may end up looking stupid with drastically different diameter tires.

The smaller size rim is a lot cheaper, as are the tires for the smaller rim. So to go from a huge 20" rim to a smaller (let's say 16" rim), you would need a tire with a larger sidewall to compensate for the smaller sized rim.

Why don't you try a tire like the BF Goodrich A/T KO in LT295/75R16 size. It's almost the same diameter/width as your LT305/55R20's but it fits the smaller 16" rim, is a little more rugged and will probably look a heck of a lot better on your jeep than those huge 20" wheels.

You can get a pretty good idea of how different tire sizes compare at http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html.

As for rims, that's pretty well a question of taste, but if you're only going to use them in the winter I'd just get some cheap ones. There's all kinds out there. (e.g. http://www.quadratec.com/products/92601_4XX_B_PG.htm) You need rims with a 5 X 4.5" bolt pattern (standard for all 1997-2006 TJ's).

Hope that helps a little.

And by the way, that's a nice looking Jeep you've got there (except for the mall crawler wheels of course ;-)

Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

Hi Lori,
I believe the stock tires on your Jeep were 245/75-16's so for winter driving I would go back to stock and bring the center of gravity down to help make it more stable for winter driving. You can get tires/rims from Tirecraft, OK Tire, Kal Tire, Costco, Canadian Tire, NAPA, etc.
I personally use the Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow, feels like you could drive up the side of a building. Very good tire (about 250 each)

Dan

Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

250!!!! WOW thats lots i just did a quick look at my invintory and saw some i can get for 186. and if you buy 3 you get one free 558 for the tires vs a grand....hmmmm im tellin you people i work at a dealership i will hook up the jeep club as much as i can....

Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

You have a 2" Lift. 32" tires fit well. 33" tires will rub during flex. Do you plan to use these just for the winter?

Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

Don't mean to hijack your thread little_lori but TOMMY, if you live in Alberta your my new best friend!

Dan

Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

If looks for winter does not matter go to your regular Canadian tire or any other tire dealer hell wal-mart will do as well get a set of plain steel winter rims (go to your stock size of 16" or 17" I think its 16" for a 2006 ruby? someone can correct me if im wrong. approx $70.00ea cdn tire) and run either a set of bridgestone blizzak dm-z3 approx 125.00 ea suggested winter size is 225/70/16 but with the 2" lift it might be to much open space for you. You could always run a stock size set of A/T's like BFG's or goodyear's Silent Armor which are rated really high for winter driving. A couple sites to check out for info on tires I like using are the tire rack and 1010tire hope it helps a little and if I goofed on any of the info because im a new jeep driver please forgive me I'm human.

Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

thanks guys, this does give me a better idea, I have been looking on tirerack.com and I think I have picked the rims I want. I don't want them to look too terrible or cheap and I don't think I want to go smaller than a 17. I bought a beautiful vehicle and I want it to look that way and since winter here is most of the year I want something that I atleast like to look at!

Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

need help i have a 07 jeep compass limited with P215/55R 18 tires on chrome 18" wheels
the dealership wants $19000 for steel wheels and snow tires P215/55R 18. do i really want these?any ideas?

Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

19 grand sounds a little steep but may be par for the course from your dealership (lol). I'm guessing you mean 1900.00. Tires for 18" rims are really expensive, but 1900.00 seems way overpriced. You're getting soaked.

I'd stay away from the stealership and go to a reputable tire dealer and ask for a smaller rim/bigger tire combo that will work for your vehicle.

Tires for 16" rims are much cheaper than tire for 18" rims.

Re: Winter tires / wheels question
 

Well, winter tires and 17" rims are still going to cost you a pretty bundle. And the best looking TJ's on the planet are pretty well mostly running on 15's or 16'. But it's your baby so do what feels good to you.

If I was concerned about driving in winter, I'd be looking at tires instead of pretty rims. Here in Montreal real winter only lasts a few months so I just bought five BFG T/A KO's that are good on and off road and carry the snowflake symbol. They're going on my stock Canyon rims and I can't wait to get them installed next week.

Where the heck do you live where winter lasts most of the year?