15'' Wheels on Rubicon

[Millermagic]

My parents have a 2004 rubicon. That thing is a death trap in the snow. The wide tires are no good at all on snow. My dad knew that before he got it, but for some reason he had to have it. It is pretty fun to drive in the snow but not safe.

Anyway, we have a set of 4 15'' wheels and studded snow tires that we used on our 97 and 01 wranglers. Would they fit on the rubicon? I know they are alot smaller and it would screw up the speedo.

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by Millermagic

My parents have a 2004 rubicon. That thing is a death trap in the snow. The wide tires are no good at all on snow. My dad knew that before he got it, but for some reason he had to have it. It is pretty fun to drive in the snow but not safe.

Anyway, we have a set of 4 15'' wheels and studded snow tires that we used on our 97 and 01 wranglers. Would they fit on the rubicon? I know they are alot smaller and it would screw up the speedo.

The bolt pattern is the same and back spacing should be fine. The only reason I can think of that they wouldnt fit is the rear disc brakes not fitting behind the 15" wheels.

Tell him to try letting some air out of the tires when it snows. Maybe try about 20psi. I cant believe its actually a "death trap". My wife and I have owned a Wrangler with 31X10.50 mud terrain tires for 5 or 6 years now without a problem. The mud terrain tires do deserve some respect on really slick packed snow or ice. We just take it slow and easy in those conditions. He does know not to use the lockers or low range in slick conditions right?

EDIT: Ok, I was wrong. Dont mess around with the MTRs. After rereading your post it looks like he wants his Wrangler on MTRs to handle snow as well as a Wrangler on studed snow tires. Thats never going to happen. He should just switch over to the snow tires for the season, they will fit fine.

[blackjeep2002]

Originally Posted by Ray H

The bolt pattern is the same and back spacing should be fine. The only reason I can think of that they wouldnt fit is the rear disc brakes not fitting behind the 15" wheels.

Tell him to try letting some air out of the tires when it snows. Maybe try about 20psi. I cant believe its actually a "death trap". My wife and I have owned a Wrangler with 31X10.50 mud terrain tires for 5 or 6 years now without a problem. The mud terrain tires do deserve some respect on really slick packed snow or ice. We just take it slow and easy in those conditions. He does know not to use the lockers or low range in slick conditions right?

EDIT: Ok, I was wrong. Dont mess around with the MTRs. After rereading your post it looks like he wants his Wrangler on MTRs to handle snow as well as a Wrangler on studed snow tires. Thats never going to happen. He should just switch over to the snow tires for the season, they will fit fine.

I have had several Wranglers/CJ's that I have driven in the winter with no problem. I like the mud tires for their all around performance and I think that they are as good as any other tire in the snow as long as you drive sensibly. Ice is another story, but again, sensible driving will probably get you around OK. My current vehicle is a 2003 Wrangler Sport with a rear lsd and 31 all terrains.

Keith

[Millermagic]

We got them on. 205/75/15 is alot different than the ones that came on the jeep. They seem to be alot better than the mt/r tires.

[fredjacksonsan]

4WD helps you go, it does not help you stop. You've got to take it easy in slippery conditions, regardless of the vehicle you are driving.

The rear disk brakes on the Rubicon should be the same as the ones on the Sport and X models, and the rims use the same spacing so you should be able to go with them if you like.

[Millermagic]

They are 11% smaller than the other ones, so the speedo is now 11% off.

It is amazing how many cute utes go flying past me in the bad weather ... and then they are in the ditch complaining how unsafe they are. Most of the time, we don't even use 4wd in the winter. Only to get in and out of our driveway when the snowplow will fill it with a foot or two of snow.

[fredjacksonsan]

The rims are 11% smaller. You can make that up by putting the correct sized tires on....

[macdad626]

I Dont Know What Your Smoking But Id Like Some Cause My Wrangler Performs Great In Snow!!!!!! Hardly A Death Trap At All

[Millermagic]

Originally Posted by macdad626

I Dont Know What Your Smoking But Id Like Some Cause My Wrangler Performs Great In Snow!!!!!! Hardly A Death Trap At All

It is not a death trap anymore in the snow. The skinny tires are great in the snow. It was kinda fun with the other tires.