I want to get a more aggressive off road tire for my 4x4. (See sig for info). I currently have 20" rims now. I can go ahead and get new 17" rims and tires or keep the 20" rims and get tires for them. I know its way more expensive (and limited on choice) to get a 20" offroad tire. Anyone have any suggestions or recomendatins on the best way to go? I was leaning toward the 17" as they say the 20" rims lowers my tow rating by 1000 lbs (per Dodge website). Wonder if my performance or mileage will change if I go 17 instead of keeping the 20's?

 

well i dont know about you, but if it was me, i would be buying the 17's, because theres alot more tires choice for those then 20s, as far as off road use, plus, whould u really wanna risk scratchin up those 20s?????? but, just my opinion

 

If your interested, i have my stock factory 17 alloy rims and almost new bridgestone dueler a/t tires for sale i think, if you or anyone is interested, PM me

 

I've got 20's right now. When it's time to get new tires, I plan on getting all-terrains and some 17's. The 20's look nice, but they're not as functional as 17's. Plus, tires for them are ridiculous!

 

If you plan on dropping down to 17's, I can tell you that I am very happy with my tires. I got 305/70/17 MaxxisBighorn. I put them to the test this weekend in a mudhole I found and they did great. check out the pics.

http://www.tomrigot.com/images/truck/offroad/

 

I just replaced my stock 20" setup with a set of 17" X 9" ProComp 1069 Xtreme Alloy polished wheels with 4.75" backspace. Mounted BFG LT285 70 17 All Terrain TAs. Setup looks great. Tires are about the same height as the stock Goodyear Wrangler HPs at 32.8 inches, so no need to recalibrate the speedo. Tread is slightly wider, but was able to fit them on without hitting the suspension since the wheels have slightly less backspace than stock 20" rims. The tires stick out past the fenders ever so slightly, approx 1" +/-. If you do go for new rims and they are not Dodge stock 17" rims, I can give some additional advice. During manufacturing, Dodge puts a push washer on 1 stud of each rotor to hold them on until the calipers, etc. are installed. The stock 20" rims are recessed around all 5 lug holes to accomodate for this washer. Aftermarket rims do not have the recessing so you need to remove the washer from each rotor or the rim will not fit flush on the rotor and you will have a wobble in the wheels that will feel like a bad rim.

Overall, downsizing the rims to 17" and putting the BFGs on was about the same price or slightly cheaper than going for 20" All Terrain tires and the next time around for tires only will be cheaper. The ride also gets a little better since there is more sidewall to help absorb the bumps.

Additionally, if you do not want to go for the extra $$ for the BFG tires, I believe Pep Boys Dakota HTs are now coming in a 17" tire (of course after I bought the BFGs). The Pep Boys Dakotas are great tires made by Cooper Tire & Rubber and have almost the same tread pattern as BFG. I have them on my wife's Explorer and they are incredible in the snow.

Good luck.

[IMG]local://upfiles/22152/B2B26D0D318543BEBE625262BE65C818.jpg[/IMG]

 

I put the Nitto Terra Grapplers on my factory 20" wheels and the look sick. I've gotten many compliments.

Pics can be found on this thread: new boots



-jim