16" or 17" wheels with new lift

[tay4R]

Shortly, I will be upgrading to the Toytec Boss 3" suspension lift, with light racing UCA's. Decided on a new wheel: Method Mesh
Can't decide to go 16x8 with 285/70-17 or 17x9 with 285/75-16 (BFG KO2's)
Any opinions or reasons for one vs the other?

Read up that 8" wide wheel is fine with 285's. Both will require trimming I'm sure.

 

[morphious]

I would go with 17's. You have an SR5 which has smaller brake calipers so you can fit 16's but if you ever wanted to upgrade your brakes to Sport or 5th Gen you won't be able to without going up in wheel size.

 

[HOJeepster]

If I had the SR5 I'd go 16's, I like bigger sidewalls

 

[tay4R]

I would go with 17's. You have an SR5 which has smaller brake calipers so you can fit 16's but if you ever wanted to upgrade your brakes to Sport or 5th Gen you won't be able to without going up in wheel size.

Always wanting to do another mod! But a great point.

If I had the SR5 I'd go 16's, I like bigger sidewalls

I do also, but may be just too limiting for future upgrades. What would be the physical/performance advantage of larger sidewalls (vs purely cosmetic)?

 

[Inv4drZm]

Discount Tire Direct on Ebay has select wheels $100 off order of $400 or more.

4 Method (17's) are $600 shipped...
Not sure about the 16's
Sale ends tomorrow but it happens a couple times out of the year.
I would have already bought some Methods if SCS wasn't calling for me.

 

[RonJR]

If you're going offroad, I'd get the 16". More rubber, less metal is better for handling rocks, allows you to reduce tire pressure more w/o problems, protects the tire bead better, etc. Check out your local earthmover and notice the size of the rims vs. the size of the tires. (I love my 15" rims on my '94)

On pavement, you save weight with the larger rims. Wheel alloy is lighter than tire rubber. That's the major reason (other than marketing hype) that manufacturers keep upping the rim size and shrinking the tires.

 

[tay4R]

Discount Tire Direct on Ebay has select wheels $100 off order of $400 or more.

4 Method (17's) are $600 shipped...
Not sure about the 16's
Sale ends tomorrow but it happens a couple times out of the year.
I would have already bought some Methods if SCS wasn't calling for me.

That's a sweet deal. Found a slightly better deal from 4 Wheel Parts at 15% off and FREE shipping. Always gotta love that, especially since I will be getting 5 wheels.

If you're going offroad, I'd get the 16". More rubber, less metal is better for handling rocks, allows you to reduce tire pressure more w/o problems, protects the tire bead better, etc. Check out your local earthmover and notice the size of the rims vs. the size of the tires. (I love my 15" rims on my '94)

On pavement, you save weight with the larger rims. Wheel alloy is lighter than tire rubber. That's the major reason (other than marketing hype) that manufacturers keep upping the rim size and shrinking the tires.

Solid info RonJR. Thanks. Still leaning towards the 17". Can't imagine that much difference between 1" diameter difference. Still going to be the daily driver and what not.