Wheel swap question

[bigblue]

Hi guys,

Can anyone see any problems swapping the older style 16inch jk wheels currently on my 07 jk for the later model 17 inch wheels from the 08 onwards jk's ?

I think the outside diameter is more important then wheel size...
Placard states 245/75/r16 for 07's (30.5 inches)
And if I go to the 17s i will probably put the 265/70/r17 (31.6) I'm thinking cooper st maxx

So I'm pretty sure they fit ok.. But any legal issues?

Oh an I have no lift at the moment but will probably fit a 2 inch shortly

Thanks

Drew

[Paul-JK]

Hi Drew,

I hadn't realised that the 07's had such small tyres. I knew they had 16" rims but I thought they had 245/80/16 tyres which would be near identical the later model 245/75/17's.

As far as I'm aware the wheels should fit OK as I think they're the same stud pattern. I don't think there were any other changes to the JK that would have resulted in extra clearance when they went to 17" rims in '08 (other the wheel/tyre package obviously) so I see no reason why the standard 245/75/17 tyres shouldn't fit perfectly well, even without a suspension lift. The 265/70/17's you're looking at are essentially the same rolling diameter as the standard 245/75/17's (+3.5mm I think) and so again should fit without any issues. I know a few guys running these on later model JK's and they don't give any issues. Once you step up to the 285/70/17's (probably with a 2" lift) you start to get some rubbing if you're still on standard rims but the 265/70/17's don't touch anywhere as far as I know.

In terms of legalities, as far as I'm aware legally you can only change the the rolling diameter by +/- 15mm from the tyre specified on the placard. That would mean legally both the 245/75/17's and the 265/70/17's were too big. There is talk of the +/- 15mm changing to +/- 50mm and if that happens then both tyre options would be fine. Having said that, I think you'd be extremely unlucky to get pulled up for using what is essentially the stock tyre package on later model JK's.