Why smaller rims on larger tires??

[XMAN]

Maybe I just dont get it but.... why do so many people put 15's on 4x4s? Even on full size trucks? Why would you put bigger tires on a truck, with 15 inch rims? I have stock 16's right now..if I put 31's on...why would I go with a smaller rim??
just curious......

 

[MountainMike]

More sidewall means you can air down with less deflection. It also means you have more surface area on the side to traverse rocks. It gives you more biting edge and lessens the risk of seriously damaging a rim. It's a function > form thing.

 

[stegomon]

and it looks better why would you put a big rim on a small tire on a civic...that is my question

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

ride quality and the availability of many tire choices (manufacturers have been making tires for 15'' wheels for so long that just about every model of tire is available that you can want)

 

[badblue]

And cost of bigger rims a 20" by 12" is not the easiest to find if you don't like flashy.

 

[Ranger44]

Yeah, I'd have to agree that most people go for it because of availability.

The off-road crowd because of deflation of the tires while off road. It's a general rule of thumb that you shouldn't go bigger than half the diameter of the tire's size. SO, for a 31, I wouldn't go any bigger than a 15" rim. 33, it could be possible to swing a 16 safely, so on and so forth.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Yeah pretty much whats been said above. They are cheaper, many enhanced offroad qualities, look cooler, and avalible.

In some cases (if not most) you can probably pick up a new set of 15" rims and whatever size mud tire you wanted cheaper then just buying the tires for your bigger rims. The differentce in price between an 33x12.50x15 and a 33x1250x18 is enormous, your talking 180 a tire to 300 a tire.

 

[spdcrazy]

i love the look of a 33 on a 17. but i'd hate to slide into a rock and ruin a 250 dollar rim. so i'll stick with my 100 dollar 15's!!!

 

[Hahnsb2]

A lot better selection of "SAE" tire sizes with 15" wheels, that metric shit can get confusing.

 

[fixizin]

For the excellent functional reasons cited above, but also... truck dudes don't want to look ghey with the ultra-low profile urban wigger shyt.

 

[XMAN]

Yeah,ok I get the picture now....some very good points. I guess what my angle is this...I have 16's now why would I go smaller? I hear ya' about the function,availability,and $$$. What I been thinking is 31 inch BFG's on Pro Comp 16's when I decide black or chrome Rock Krawlers., and the $$ comes together. I'll get back with the part #s. I want to hear your opinions.

Oh yeah..I don't do the "urban wigger shyt" on trucks either..U miSSed my whole point.

 

[XMAN]

The fat man in the red suit passed me up again this year. I want to go with 31" BFG AT's on 16" Black Pro Comp alloys # 8179's or 16" steel Pro Comp chrome Rock Crawlers # 99's. What do ya'll think?? Anyone rollin' on either of these rims?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Well With a lower profile tire you would get better sidewall stability. So With a 16" cornering would be fine. This is why all the new trucks come stock with 18's and 20's because of the lower profile tire gives them alot better street handling...........

I don't really like 16" rims because the tires look less beefy even with just that extra inch... with 18's you can tell the difference. If you got 16's now and getting tires for that go with 16's but if your getting new rims why not go with 15's?

 

[XMAN]

Well With a lower profile tire you would get better sidewall stability. So With a 16" cornering would be fine. This is why all the new trucks come stock with 18's and 20's because of the lower profile tire gives them alot better street handling...........

I don't really like 16" rims because the tires look less beefy even with just that extra inch... with 18's you can tell the difference. If you got 16's now and getting tires for that go with 16's but if your getting new rims why not go with 15's?

I hear you about the tires looking "beefy". That's what I'm going after.I have seen some tough looking small trucks. It can be done and still be streetable.
I have narrowed it down to TWO rims as I noted above. I want the tires to stick out from the fenders a little bit too. If you are running 31's I assume you are on 15's acording to your post?? Is this correct? The thing about 15's is (1) I'll be going down a size on rims (2) Some trucks look like "toys" when on 15's especially when on bigger tires. That's what I want to avoid. Basicly I'll have bigger tires on same size rims if I go this way.

 

[JohnnyO]

More selection in 15" tires and they're usually cheaper than the same overall size 16" tires.