I know I would have to completely change the brakes to make 16" steel wheels fit, but has anyone actually done this before? Just hoping to see if it's possible and what are the potential trade offs.

 

Smallest I've seen done is a conversion to 17" wheels, and even those required a modification to the V6's brake calipers.

I'd worried that finding 16" wheels with all the right specs (lug spacing, offset, axle bore) would be very difficult.

 

Agreed and I really don't see the return for the effort. There are great tire options available for the 17/18" rim options. Prices are reasonable as well for a fair amount of the options to.

 

What I am hoping to due with my LR3 is get a narrower tyre with a higher sidewall. I've been reading up on it and it seems there's an argument that for for off-roading, and overlanding, a narrower, higher profile tyre is optimal, as it allows for more deformation and mechanical keying when aired down. It would also allow a larger tyre height (more clearance), with less rubbing, then a wider tyre. I currently run with 265/65R18's (Nitto Ridge Grapplers), but was thinking something no wider than 255 would be interesting to try. I can't find much in that width with 18" rims, especially not with a E load rating.

I have limited experience, so I appreciate your collective wisdom.

 

I think it really depends on the type of terrain. I have always heard that narrow helps the tires get down through mud to solid ground....but that only helps if there IS ANY solid ground. Otherwise I could see an argument that a wider tire would be more stable (especially when on an off-camber obstacle) and allow a more dispersed contact patch. As for rubbing, I think that is vehicle-dependent and where the tire rubs would impact that. I don't know if narrower than 265 would matter. I would think that for deformation....I don't see how that matters. You are starting with a narrower contact patch to begin with so maybe there is more % of deformation but the final contact patch would be smaller or maybe equivalent in terms of width. Circumference-wise I don't see how that would matter at all, and I've seen some studies that show that THAT is where airing down is really helpful, improving the contact patch FWD-AFT and not INBD-OUTBD.

I don't know if that helped or just flamed the tire width debate!

 

255/70r18 would be a narrow 32

 

I found this post about tyre width on another forum interesting. There's only one way to really know I guess which would be to try different tyres and see what works. If only they didn't cost $1K+ a set.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-...ow-better.html

 

I have ran 265/70R18, 285/65R18 275/65R18 and 33x12.50R18

265/70 no rubbing worked fine but hated the tires General Grabber AT2
285/65 minimal rubbing at full lock only, this size was phenomenal in the show covered trails at winter romp
275/65 my favorite all round size for trails and daily drive
33x12.50 great for all the off road parts but definitely notice the big tire around town and the highway

My truck is modified lifted and has an aftermarket bumper

I also think the tire tread pattern will play a huge role in your satisfaction

 

...and there are a few points I agree with. That said, the author offers very little science to support his assertions, some of which sound flat out wrong, others of which contradict each other.

Tomorrow when I have a full keyboard in front of me, I can go point-by-point, if folks are interested. It might be fun...

 

I’d enjoy that if you have the time.