Optional tires/wheels for MK's (pg 6 for sizes) - Page 6

**Gramps** · 08-18-2007, 10:21 AM

I’ve tried to narrow down the tire search for factory wheels (rims) with this list of the most popular tire sizes available. The categories of “Very Poor, Poor, etc “ is completely subjective, if some of these categories that I have rated low on the list have the tread pattern/qualities that you’re after then you’ll have a different opinion. I’ve also included the stock tire sizes in bold for comparison. This is NOT an all inclusive list, some tire sizes were left out because they only had 1 or 2 manufactures listed and as time goes by manufacturers will no doubt come up with some new sizes.

It’s my opinion that you should not go any wider than a 235 tire or taller than “about” 29”. Thanks to jimmysjeepn, zxjockey, YeepYeepin we have validation on those assumption! I have listed a few tires just barely over the 29” limit that come with a caution note that they may be too tall. Again “I don’t think so” and they may be worth looking at.

Also available are tire and wheel packages from a variety of sources that we can’t even start to cover. You will need to assume that they did the necessary research on their own products.

Going one more step for those that want a separate set of wheel and tire strictly for off-road use and you want something taller than 29”, you will need to have rims with a different off-set and back spacing, just like I believe the Jeep Engineers did on the Lifted Patriot with the 31” BFG’s. They also make 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”, and even 2” wheel spacers machined from T6 6061 billet aluminum that are off-road rated but not legal for street use in all states. These are not cheap, somewhere in the $170 - $250 category. Since the off-road folks could be running quite a variety of tires I won’t try to determine how much off-set they will need. Maybe they can give us some feed back later on.

The last caveat on changing tire height, your speedometer may need to be recalibrated.

For a quick look to see what's available in each size go to The Tire Rack and put in the size and type of tire you're looking for.

16”

205/70R16" - 27.3" – Very Poor selection

215/65R16" - 27.2 - Good Selection
215/70R16" - 27.85” - Good tire selection

225/65R16" – 27.5” – Poor selection
225/70R16" – 28.4” – Excellent selection
225/75R16” – 29.3" – Excellent selection Max

235/60R16” – 27.1” – Excellent selection
235/65R16” – 28” – Poor selection
235/70R16” – 28.95” – Excellent selection

245/70R16" - 29.5" - Excellent selection - confirmed fit!

17”

215/60R17” – 27.2" – Fair selection
215/65R17” – 28” – Fair selection

225/60R17” – 27.6” – Fair selection
225/65R17” - 28.5” – Good selection
225/70R17” – 29.4" - Excellent selection Max

235/55R17” – 27.2" – Excellent selection
235/60R17" - 28.1" - Good selection
235/65R17” – 29.0" – Excellent selection

18”

215/55R18” – 27.3" – Very Poor selection

225/55R18” – 27.8" – Fair selection
225/60R18” – 28.6" – Very Good selection

235/50R18" - 27.3" - Good Selection
235/55R18” – 28.2" – Fair selection
235/60R18” – 29.1" – Very Good selection Max

jeeper_creepers · 08-19-2007, 07:23 PM

Does anybody know the bolt pattern, offset, and tire size for both 16 inch wheels and 17 inch wheels?

Gramps note: Thread merged here.

jeeper_creepers · 08-20-2007, 05:43 PM

I would want to upgrade to 17 inch wheels and put tires on that keep the speedometer and odometer as close to accurate as possible?

**Gramps** · 08-20-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeeper_creepers

I would want to upgrade to 17 inch wheels and put tires on that keep the speedometer and odometer as close to accurate as possible?

Then go back up to post #76, look in the 17" section and pick out something 28" or shorter and you'll be fine on your speedo readings.

Speedo recalibration cost about $80 if you do go taller. Edit $47.95

jimmysjeepn · 08-20-2007, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gramps

Then go back up to post #76, look in the 17" section and pick out something 28" or shorter and you'll be fine on your speedo readings.

Speedo recalibration cost about $80 if you do go taller.

I was told $40 by my dealer...

**Gramps** · 08-20-2007, 07:29 PM

OK. I was told about $80 by the guy at the parts counter that I deal with. It wasn't a quote from service. It may pay to shop around a little.

Jim, I may come up to see you if you can get a better deal than me.

jimmysjeepn · 08-21-2007, 12:11 AM

sounds good!

I was told directly from the service guy who stated it would be a $40, which is a 1/2 hour labor.

**Gramps** · 08-26-2007, 01:50 PM

I'm needing new tires already!

These Firestone Firehawk GTA-03 that come on the Limited (215/55R18) just don't get the tread life that I wanted. I really thought that they did OK threw the ice and snow last winter but I've got about 19.5 K on them and the the tread depth is down from the original 10/32" to 5/32". With the new information on "legal" tread depth of 2/32" vs the lost traction at 4/32 from this info at the TireRack, I only have about 3K miles left to go.

My biggest dilemma is whether to go the 29" tires or stay around the 28" "stock" size. That causes me to ask the final question for me on street tire.

How's your mileage with the taller tires? Any change?

i2canoe · 09-21-2007, 08:46 PM

Anybody have any idea if 215/65R16" is a suitable choice for winter tire on the Compass

The circumfrance is really almost identical to that of the 17" and 18" wheels with which the car is delivered.

There is not really much choice in 18", cost wise 16" is much cheaper then 17".
Will 16" rims fit the brake calipers, or cause any driving difficulties.

**Gramps** · 09-21-2007, 09:22 PM

jimmysjeepn is running 16" Rubicon wheels on his Patriot. I can't see where you would have a problem, 16" is the wheel used on the base Patriot. Disc brakes are more compact than drums and there isn't normally a fit problem with them. The tire height on those is 27.2" which would work out nicely. If I were go to different rims either for winter or off-road use I would probably go with 16"'s. There are a lot of good inexpensive tires available for 16's including the Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow at 215/65-16.

Jimmy's: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/4098087-post71.html
You can also go to post #76 and find other sizes that will fit.

i2canoe · 09-22-2007, 07:08 AM

THANKS for the immediate response and clarification.
This site rocks

**Gramps** · 09-22-2007, 07:55 AM

I've changed the title on this thread and bumped it back up because not everybody really wants to go bigger tires, some only want a better selection on tread pattern and what they can use for winter tires. I will update post #76 as we get other information so check back there for the latest info.

Things to keep in mind:
Tires below an aspect ratio of 60 are considered Low Profile and simply cost more either to manufacture or because they are less popular. Many shops are also charging more to mount and balance them. By moving up to a 60 series tire the selection increases, prices drop but the 17" and 18" sizes will require recalibration of your speedo for usually less than $50, this will normally be offset by the savings on the price of the tires and the mount and balance surcharge.

If you are looking for bigger wheels, the 19" and 20" are the most popular and I would go with the tire and wheel packages offered.

If you are wanting to go with a full set of winter tires then I feel that 16"s would be best for pricing and selection.

If you're going for a set for off-road tires, 15", 16" or 17" may be your best bet but there are some in 18", too. If you want to go taller than 29" you'll need wheels with less back spacing to kick the tires out past the strut spring mount, even with the different back spacing 31" tires like on the Lifted Patriot are about as tall as you can go. The wheel well only has about a 34" opening.

If you have the TPMS you will need to get sensors for the extra set of wheels.

If anybody has info or questions on tires/wheels please post them here. I'm trying to keep this thread as a one stop place to find the info that you're looking for with out you having to search bits and pieces here and there and don't feel offended if your post gets moved to this one. Also, merging threads may create dead links or wrong references to post numbers. I have corrected what I have found but if you run into any more just let me know.

ponderosa · 10-10-2007, 03:55 PM

Maximum tire size is limited by the strut part holding the spring "up". Minimum wheel diameter size is limited by the steering hub upper connection to strut. If I got bigger tires and a rock wedged in there what could it do?

Just took a good look at my Compass. Hope this helps

79bigmack · 10-12-2007, 04:19 PM

Did some searching and might have found the best (and only) mud tire for the 16in wheel!!

Stock 17in wheel has a 28in tire.

Tire below is a 205/80-16...or 28.9in tall. Split the difference and you get about +.5in out of these...so they should fit okay...

And check out that pattern!!!

Happy drooling

Road Venture MT KL71

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Road+Venture+MT +KL71&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=08QR6KL71XL&from Compare1=yes&place=1

cuemark8 · 10-14-2007, 11:24 AM

I'm just commenting on the tire and wheel sizes. I, myself just picked up a set of 17" OEM wheels from a Compass Sport. I'm a firm believer in snow tires. I intend to use the 17" wheels and snow tires on my Limited.
The 18" rims are very limiting when searching for snow tires. Nobody makes anything in 18" sizes to fit the Compass. I searched the tirerack. Thats where I buy all my tires! Nobody will beat thier prices! There is quite a few tires in a 17" diameter with sizes that will fit the Compass/Patriot/Caliber vehicles.
I never realized it, until just recently. The stock size of the Compass Limited was 215/55/18 tires. The Compass Sport had 215/60/17 or there was an optional Goodyear All-terrain tire/wheel package. The Goodyear OEM tire is slightly taller at 215/65/17. The 215/65/17 tire is considered a light truck/SUV tire. With the 215/65/17 being a safe choice for a tire size, search for tires using either the 215/60/17 size or the 215/65/17. That 215/65/17 opens up alot of new tire possibilities, and it looks better!

Ps. to Gramps. I'll get some pictures one of these days.