okay I am getting deeper and deeper into my XJ D60 conversions and I have read a lot about getting the 15 inch rims to work but my question is why is it such a big deal. more specifically what are the advantages of the 15 inch rims. I realize that there will be more sidewall when comparing them to the same sized tires say a 38 X 12.50 but at that height does it really matter. oh yeah and they will be beadlocked.

my observations are that 16" is tough because tire choices are limited

15" are good because they give the most sidewall

!6.5 are bad because they normally do not have the same bead strength as a 15 or 16 but with beadlocks does this really matter? I have also read about the innter bead issues but that should be fixable with some welding and such

Lastly I guess is how well do the hummer beadlocks work? I know they must be better than regular beadlocks on the inner bead but how much do they give up (if any) on outer bead retention?


Now lets show some love and give me some good info.

Thanks!:usa:

I like 16" because:
I like full floaters and most FFs have big (1 ton sized) brakes
My favorite tires, Michelin militaries, come in 16" and not 15"
Charlie

I run a 1 ton 14 bolt with TSM disks and an 8 lug dana 44, I use 15x10 wheels with 4 1/8" backspace. My dad runs a chevy d60 with the same wheels, it can be done. The advantage to 15" wheels (along with the taller sidewall) is theres more tires avalible and they're cheaper too. Theres not many tire sizes out for 16" wheels and 16.5" wheels dont have a bead retention lip (stock chevy 16.5s being the exeption) so its easy to loose a bead.

Good question.

Is that true, do the Chevy 16.5s have bead retention that all other 16.5s (stock) lack?

Thanks,

Charly

It's not just stock Chevy 16.5" that have a decent safety bead... Some others do too. I will be verifying soon that stock Fords do, and I saw some stock bud wheels that had a nice one the other day at the yard...

15's have the most tire options. 16's are getting there, but I believe a little more expensive. I'd stay away from 16.5's. The beads suck on em. It's more of a 45* angle instead of 90* like 15's and 16's. And as mentioned above, no safety bead. With 16.5's, you can pretty much let all the air out and jump on the tire and the bead will break.

Originally posted by Nobody
15's have the most tire options. 16's are getting there, but I believe a little more expensive. I'd stay away from 16.5's. The beads suck on em. It's more of a 45* angle instead of 90* like 15's and 16's. And as mentioned above, no safety bead. With 16.5's, you can pretty much let all the air out and jump on the tire and the bead will break.

lol :p

I love it, this is exactly why you can pick up 16.5" tires for a song :p

You can beadlock them like anything else, and if you don;t want stock rims that DO have the safety bead, you can make your own...

Originally posted by DRM


lol :p

I love it, this is exactly why you can pick up 16.5" tires for a song :p

You can beadlock them like anything else, and if you don;t want stock rims that DO have the safety bead, you can make your own...

You still have to buy the bead locks. How much do those cost? Most of us really have no need for beadlocks anyway. Sure they'd be nice to have, but worth the extra cost....Not for me. I don't do competition, and when I pop a bead, I break out air and pop it back on.

"The advantage to 15" wheels (along with the taller sidewall) is theres more tires avalible and they're cheaper too"

There is a REASON they are cheaper! There is less "meat" on the tire.

Most 16in tires are 10ply load rated while most 15in are 6ply load rated. You get a stronger, firmer tire with 16inchers. I think a big part of the problems people with SSRs have is that they are running the weaker 15in 6ply tires while they would be better with the 16inchers. same appys to other tires as well. There is a trade off in sidewall flex and on road ride if your truck is light but just air down more.

Almost all swampers are available in 15in size are available in 16in and 16.5in sizes as well, thats all you need to know about availability!

Ron

-snip-"How much do those cost?"-snip-

Paided 40 bucks each for 16.5 Humvee two piece wheels w/ internal inner/outer beadlocks.