17" and big tires VS 18" with smaller tires?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
17" and big tires VS 18" with smaller tires?
With spring around the corner, new shoes are in the works. I'm deciding between 17"s with a taller tire or 18"s with a sleeker tire. Any thoughts on either choice? I don't care about MPG, my concern is with loss of performance and ride quality. I currently have stock 17"s and don't plan to get a tuner til my warranty expires(2 years). My truck is 2wd and driven mostly in the city so I'm leaning towards the 18's. I kind of like the look of big tires and small rims but feel it would be a bit impractical. Any opinions would be appreciated.
#2
Not a huge difference between the two in my opinion. If you were looking at 17's or 20's there's a noticeable difference. But not a whole lot between 18's and 17's. Probably only you would notice the difference so I'd say go with what you can find for a better deal.
#5
I'm running 17s and 33s on my truck now with a Rancho 4in Lift. I will be going to 35s later on. I've always liked the bigger sidewall versus the "cityboy" look with 35s and 20s or 35s and 22s.
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Al Kohalic (03-19-2014)
#6
Senior Member
Stay with your stock rim size. No performance diff between the two and cheaper with 17" tires.
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#8
Senior Member
Weather you go with 17" or 18", make sure your tire diameter remains the same. If you change your overall diameter it will change your speedo reading plus a few other things like performance (larger=slower, smaller=faster). Not huge differences but if you change it too much it can do some damage. I've heard no more than a 3% difference. Now, a smaller rim with a taller sidewall is better for off roading (Raptor has 17" rims), generally a better ride. But that also has a lot to do with rubber compound, tread design, tire construction, etc.. A larger diameter rim with a shorter side wall (the F150 Harley Davidson has 22" rims) generally gives a bit more responsiveness to steering input and is usually better suited to street driving. But a really short sidewall, a so called "Ribbon" tire, will really adversely effect your ride quality. Again a lot of that comes from compound, etc.. So, do you prefer a little better ride, or do you do a little off roading?
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the replies. I'm not too worried about the price difference, I just want to be happy with my decision. I'll only run them half the year anyway, I'll keep my stock rims with snow tires for winter.
I agree with the "cityboy" look thing even though I'm a city boy lol, 20's just look too big for the wheel well. I don't do any real off-roading so I guess I'll go with the 18's. My next truck will be 4x4 so then I can go the 17" route.
I have to go get wider tires though, stock width 2wd is only 255. Looks too skinny and all aftermarket rims are wider than stock. Besides I already have OEM fender flares installed! But if tire width has a more adverse effect than height, on performance or ride quality, that is good to know.
I agree with the "cityboy" look thing even though I'm a city boy lol, 20's just look too big for the wheel well. I don't do any real off-roading so I guess I'll go with the 18's. My next truck will be 4x4 so then I can go the 17" route.
I have to go get wider tires though, stock width 2wd is only 255. Looks too skinny and all aftermarket rims are wider than stock. Besides I already have OEM fender flares installed! But if tire width has a more adverse effect than height, on performance or ride quality, that is good to know.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I like these wheels and can't find any pics of them on a truck anywhere. I like that fact but would also like to see a preview first! They are satin black, so they should go well with my satin black vinyl wrap and painted fender flares. I'm still not 100% sure about which tire size I'll go with.
http://www.1010tires.com/Wheels/AR%2.../AX19288566730
This is my truck BTW
http://www.1010tires.com/Wheels/AR%2.../AX19288566730
This is my truck BTW