17x8.5 or 18x9?

[Whitetail Addict]

Been looking at new wheels lately......and it led me to this....17's or 18's? Didn't think I liked the look of the 18's until I seen a pic of a member's truck (rgullet83) with the wheels I want to get.....now I'm unsure.

Does anybody see a downfall switching to the bigger wheel? Fit, ride, handling etc? I thought tires were going to be more, but turns out they average a little cheaper .....so then it would just be the initial cost of the wheel.

Sorry for all the questions.....I just want to make an informed decision.

 

[MaxPowerLB7]

Bigger is better, right?

 

[ruffmanatv]

Bigger is better, right?

Kind of had the same thought. I now have 17's on my truck. They seem to ride better than my stocker 16's did.

 

[Fat_Robi]

It comes down to personal preference really. What are you going to use it for and whatnot. If you want the extra sidewall for in the dirt go for the 17s but 18s do look nice.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Bigger is better, right?

Thats what I'm thinking

It comes down to personal preference really. What are you going to use it for and whatnot. If you want the extra sidewall for in the dirt go for the 17s but 18s do look nice.

I don't do too much off roading, mountain roads in hunting and fishing season and the occasional field during chopping and hay season......I guess I'll just have to remember I don't have alot of sidewall anymore.

Thanks for the input guys.

On edit....in theory would a d range 18 act more like an e range 16 for towing, any downfalls towing with 18's? With the less sidewall it couldn't flex as much...

 

[tylerrustLB7]

18's all the way

 

[05' Ditry Duramax]

I have 17's now and i'm going to 20's. I want to be with the cool kids and run big rims:hug:

I'd say the bigger rim will look better. I have noticed a ride difference between a 17 and 20. The 20 is a little rougher of course. I doubt you could tell the difference from a 17 to 18 though.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

I have 17's now and i'm going to 20's. I want to be with the cool kids and run big rims:hug: .....

I do too

I've decided on the 18's.....now I need a tire size

I'm thinking 265/65/18 or 265/70/18, I have 265/75/16 on the stock rims now (stock height) and want something equivalent to a 285/70/16..

Any suggestions?

 

[tinman22]

i'm getting some 18s next week and i'm going with a 285 60 18. its a 31.48" tall tire I think the 285/70/16s are about 32.5 " tall hopefully on the 18 x x9 wheels with 5 1/2 back spacing will work without too much trimming. guess i'll find out mid week

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Thanks tinman!

I've been sitting here doing some figuring

265/65/18 = 31.56"t x 10.4"w w/6.78"sidewall

265/70/18 = 32.6"t x 10.4"w w/7.3"sidewall

On the other hand...

285/70/17 = 32.7"t x 11.2"w w/7.85"sw

285/70/16 = 31.7"t x 11.2"w w/7.85"sw

265/75/16 = 31.65"t x 10.4"w w/7.82"sw

With those figures I think I will go with the 265/70/18's, on an 18x9 wheel with 5.24"bs and +6 offset....hopefully it works..

 

[Diesel Pilot]

18's all the way!

285/60/18 is a great tire size.

 

[05' Ditry Duramax]

18's all the way!

285/60/18 is a great tire size.

that's my vote. I would go that route

 

[Whitetail Addict]

What I came up with (after alot of searching and # crunching) was 275/65/18 (32.1" x 10.83" w/7"sw) and then found e-rated Hankook DynaPro AT Rf10s for what seems like a reasonable price.

Anybody foresee a clearance problem with these tires?

 

[SteveFord]

Before I sold my 18's that I have on my truck in my avatar I thought about going with a smaller tire besides the 325/60/18's nittos that was on them. I had a set of 285/60/18's on it before and really liked the look and the way it drove. The 325's look tuff but they tend to beat your truck up with rocks and sometimes are hard to turn when stopped in tight spots. I'd say go with the 285/60's.

 

[tylerrustLB7]

18's all the way!

285/60/18 is a great tire size.

What I got and love the way it rides and looks!

 

[05' Ditry Duramax]

What I got and love the way it rides and looks!

that is perfect!!!!!

I like those Diesels!!!!

 

[tinman22]

well got my rims and tires on today. went with ultra diamond cut grinders. black insets machined faces and clear coated for ease of cleaning. and the cooper zeon LTZ s in 285/60/18
very minor trimming on the front bumper and i'll have to trimm the front of the inner liner just a tad bit. right now i'm 1 full turn over stock on the T bars. might go another 1/2 turn when I get the alignment
lets see if this picture comes out right

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Tyler and tinman, thanks for the pics...your trucks both look awesome with the 18s....now I really can't wait to get mine.

The 285/60s look like a good fit on our trucks.

 

[tinman22]

I didnt get good pics of the tuck on teh rim or the trimming I did. but the fronts dont stick out to me. if they do its a hair past the flair. as far as trimming I took an itty bit off the bumper and an even ittier bit off the front of the fender liner. these have a +12 offset on the 18 x 9 if someone is cranking the T bars or has a chevy instead of a gmc they will probably fit with no trimming at all.

 

[Whitetail Addict]

Thats good info to know....I don't want a tire sticking out past the flare, that was my concern with a 285. The wheels I'm getting are 18x9 w/5.24 bs and +6 os, so I'm hoping they stay close to flush.