Which Wheels & Tires? 15" or 17"?

[ftlbs]

The time has finally come...

I'm ready to pull the trigger on some new wheels and tires for my 1971 Bronco. My Bronco currently has a 3-1/2" James Duff Suspension Lift with a 2" Body Lift and has been riding on 15x8 MB Wheels and 35x12.50 BFG KM Tires.

I've been anxious to replace the wheels for 2 reasons: First, I've been really wanting to go with a 15x10 wheel to gain a little more offset and wider stance than the current 15x8s. Second, I feel like my Bronco would look better with black wheels given its current color and condition.

Because I'm willing to replace both the wheels and tires, I'm wondering if I'd be crazy to not go to a 17" wheel rather than 15" while I have the opportunity. I'm just not sure I want to run wheel spacers and it seems most 17" wheels don't have the backspacing and offset that the 15" wheels offer.

With these thoughts in mind, take a look at the photo of my Bronco and let me know your thoughts. Thank you!

 

[ftlbs]

FYI: Here's a photo of a the Wheel/Tire combination I've been looking at the most. This is a Mickey Thompson 15x10 wheel with 35x12.50 Mickey Thompson MTZ tires.

 

[68ford]

Run 8inch wide wheels and a spacer the same as the added width the 10in wide wheels would give you. 10in wide tires look really "bubbly" like the sidewalk buldge. I know tire manufacturers say to run 10s but you will never see a tire like that on a stock vehicle. 8s look so much better, plus more positive bead seating.
I also recommend 15 diameter. 17s do not have enough side wall and ride rough plus look out of place in my opinion on older vehicles. 35s on 15s and 37s on 17s

 

[blubuckaroo]

Tire selection is tough on both 16" and 17" tires, unless you're ok with 10 ply tires.
They were just too heavy for my car and so I went back to 15" wheels.

 

[ftlbs]

I know tire manufacturers say to run 10s but you will never see a tire like that on a stock vehicle. 8s look so much better, plus more positive bead seating.
I also recommend 15 diameter. 17s do not have enough side wall and ride rough plus look out of place in my opinion on older vehicles. 35s on 15s and 37s on 17s

Hmm...good thoughts. I've also thought about A 35x13.50 tire with the 15x10 wheel. Might help the bead seat a little better (???).

Open to other opinions for sure. Keep 'em coming!

 

[suckerpunched]

personally I like the look of the deep 10" wheels. functionally I believe 8" wheels probably work better. but I went with 35 x 12.50s on 15x10s. I say run what YOU like.

 

[Dlish]

Ever a chance you will go to 37s down the road? If so, go 17” wheels

 

[Glass Pony]

Tire selection is tough on both 16" and 17" tires, unless you're ok with 10 ply tires.
They were just too heavy for my car and so I went back to 15" wheels.

I agree with Blubuckaroo, I would rather stick to a "C" load range for our Broncos.
BTW, your Bronco's stance looks good the way it is now.;D

 

[sykanr0ng]

I agree with Blubuckaroo, I would rather stick to a "C" load range for our Broncos.
BTW, your Bronco's stance looks good the way it is now.;D

There are not many, which is not to say there are not any.

BFG 58424 are load range C
They are a 315/70R17 more or less a metric 35 inch tire and a stock tire on newer Heeps.

 

[needabronco]

IMO black wheels always look cheap to me, no matter what they are on. You're stance looks good to me. If you want to widen the stance, you could add a 1" wheel spacer.

 

[SteveL]

Another vote for 15x8 rims with the 35s.i like the black rim look but not a fan of the nuts glued to em.

 

[svastano]

I went with 15x10 for my 35's, Personally I like the bigger tire less rim look but I also grew up when 16" wheels were Big.... As for Black or not. To each his own. I just don't like them because going down the road or in dim light I cannot tell the separation between the rim and the wheel let alone any of the detail of the wheel.

 

[sprdv1]

The time has finally come...

I'm ready to pull the trigger on some new wheels and tires for my 1971 Bronco. My Bronco currently has a 3-1/2" James Duff Suspension Lift with a 2" Body Lift and has been riding on 15x8 MB Wheels and 35x12.50 BFG KM Tires.

][/URL]

Sweet Pic..

 

[abn373]

I have those Mickey Thompson wheels -minus the fake bead locks and I think they are the best and truest wheels I have had on any vehicle. Balanced easily.
They are 15x10s with 35x12.50 Cooper STTs. I also included those exact same tires with some 15x8s for comparison (the pic in middle with trees)...BTW when I switched to the MT wheels all my vibration issues went away.

Mine is a 3in Suspension lift. No body lift, fenders only cuts to add flares. I have no rubbing issues, but then again I don't have a ton of flex either, and the offset keeps me nice and legal with all the tread under the flares.

Hope that helps.

 

[helo-mech]

I don't have the lift you have, but I'm on 15x10s with 33x12.50s. I currently rub the radius arms, and intend to install spacers to fix.

 

[ftlbs]

You guys are awesome. I really appreciate the opinions and experiences each of you have shared. I began this thread wondering if I was crazy to consider 15" wheels and was expecting more people to suggest 17s. I'm somewhat relieved that so many of you are still running 15s and are having good experiences with them. I have officially ordered the Mickey Thompson wheel and tire combination I mentioned above. I can't wait for them to show up and I will be sure to post a photo of the finished product. Thanks again

 

[Spartan76]

Same dilemma for me. Only opposite. I have the black version of that style wheel in 15x10. I want the polished version. They have 33x12.50's on them now. I plan on going to 35's, so I'm trying to decide on 17's or 15's if I'm going to buy new tires anyway.

 

[Spartan76]

Let me know what you're going to do with your current set up, I'd be interested.

 

[Cortez]

Take a look at your tire price for each rim size...two years ago when I had the same dilemma the 17” tires were $100 more per tire than the 15” version. I went with 15” and threw the extra $400 at my rims. I went with 15x10 rims and love the stance.

 

[ftlbs]

Here's a quick photo of the new wheels and tires. I didn't stage this photo very well, but at least it gives you an idea. I'm very happy with how it turned out. Exactly what I was looking for