Poll: 17" or 18" wheels with 35" tires

[Wtb13000]

Alright, should be a simple poll, but feel free to add in your reasoning in the comments.

I used the word "looks" intentionally and kept it close with 17"-18" to assume those are the best performing for off-roading/35" tires, but all reasons are welcome in the end.

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[gerby151]

I would think for off roading it would be a combo of smaller diameter wheel and the lowest load rating you could get for the best sidewall flex. Obviously you do need a tough sidewall for puncture resistance.

 

[NormanBronco]

I went with 17s and have 37 inch tires but the local dealership has several broncos on the lot with 18" rims and 35" tires and I think they look great

 

[MJJ]

17’s look better Than 18’s. It all depends if you can get the wheel you want in a 17”. Some only make 18 and above.

 

[Roofus]

IMHO 17’s provide the best of both worlds. Better performance from having more rubber, but also strong offroad looks from tire poke.

If you’re never going to offroad then I’d think some 19 or 20’s with performance tires on an OBX would give the closest Range Rover vibes.

 

[Beachin 74]

17's have much more of a choice for tires. Anything above that you get pigeonholed into more heavy-duty tires for trucks.
And if you air down for a larger contact patch or flotation, smaller rim is the way to go.

 

[tractorcrusher]

17’s look better Than 18’s. It all depends if you can get the wheel you want in a 17”. Some only make 18 and above.

It also seems like there are less larger tires available for 17" wheels nowadays. Definitely not impossible to find but when I was searching for 35s for my 17s the selection went down significantly.

 

[Discount Tire]

IMO the 17" is the tried and true option. Several tire and wheel options to choose from. The 18" and higher sizes look good as well, but option can be limited. Starting gain more popularity though!

 

[MJJ]

IMO the 17" is the tried and true option. Several tire and wheel options to choose from. The 18" and higher sizes look good as well, but option can be limited. Starting gain more popularity though!

If you are looking at the lower end of the wheel market (cast & flow forged) they are plenty of 17’s. When you move up to a custom wheel manufacturer (forged, custom offsets) I have found that many wheels start at 18”. BC Forged is an example. They have a few options at 17 but most are 18 and up.

 

[LanceIto]

I went with 17s and have 37 inch tires but the local dealership has several broncos on the lot with 18" rims and 35" tires and I think they look great

How do you like the 37s? Any regrets?

 

[prospectfour]

17's have much more of a choice for tires. Anything above that you get pigeonholed into more heavy-duty tires for trucks.
And if you air down for a larger contact patch or flotation, smaller rim is the way to go.

17” vs 18” will have virtually zero contribution to your contact patch when aired down. Biggest factor is 80% tire diameter, 20% tire width. If OP is running 35x12.5” wheel size is irrelevant.

 

[Tricky Mike]

Looking for the 15/16 option...

 

[Beachin 74]

17” vs 18” will have virtually zero contribution to your contact patch when aired down. Biggest factor is 80% tire diameter, 20% tire width. If OP is running 35x12.5” wheel size is irrelevant.

I disagree. Keeping the tire OD the same, with a smaller rim OD you have more room on the side wall so when airing down the contact patch grows a little wider but also "longer".
For every increase in rim size on the same tire diameter the contact is being less when airing down.

 

[prospectfour]

I disagree. Keeping the tire OD the same, with a smaller rim OD you have more room on the side wall so when airing down the contact patch grows a little wider but also "longer".
For every increase in rim size on the same tire diameter the contact is being less when airing down.

I understand your premise, I’m just not sure how much of a difference it makes in practice. I’m taking my OBX surf fishing again tomorrow and will look at the side wall @18psi. From what I remember you could hardly tell it was aired down by the naked eye.

I do think if you’re comparing 17’s to 20’s and beyond the difference could add up.

 

[kpark_67]

It all depends on if your Bronco is a street or trail vehicle. If street, it doesn't matter how big. On the trail an aired down tire is part of your suspension and greatly affects traction so the smaller the tire the better. If I could fit 15" wheels with 35" (or larger) tires around the brakes, I would.

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