Question on jk wheels

[Dustyn]

Hello people,
This is my first post on CJA and I have been spending the last week+ reading over post on here. I have to admit, I'm overwhelmed with all the info that is useful down the road or I have no idea what people are talking about haha.

I got a 2011 jk sport in Dec and it is my first 4x4. I was going to go with a budget boost lift but after reading what a lot of you had to say I think I'm going to save my money on it and get a lift further down the road. So, keeping my suspension stock I am curious as to what size/brand tire I should go with to best suit my needs. This is my everyday vehicle and will be a weekend off roader. What should I be looking for, what size can I go to and not have to worry about rubbing or any other issues you experienced wheelers know about,  yet is still good to wheel with some groups on here? Is there any benefit going from a 17" rim to a 16" other then looks? ( i do like the more rubber look on jeeps). Budget isn't really an issues considering it isn't the first thing I've had to save for. Any other info anyone would like to share to a beginner please feel free.

[hps4evr]

I believe you can use 16" rim if the back spacing is less then stock. But, 15" and 16" tires are going to get harder to get in the next 5 years. 17" rims leave more room for brakes and tires are getting easier to find. I'm a huge fan of 15" rims but its obvious the industry is moving away from the smaller rim sizes.
These days you have plenty of options in tires and rims. Find a 17" rim that's about 8-9" wide and go with 285/70r17, that size is slightly bigger then stock and shouldn't rub, you could maybe try a 295/70r17 for a by bigger too but might rub a bit.
As for tires, Mickey Thompson, Toyo, Goodyear, bfg, nitto, maxxis, all offer quality all terrain and mud terrain tires that perform very well. It may come down to sizing and price.
Check quadratec for rim options and tire options, they have a good variety and can give you an idea on prices and options out there.
Don't cheap out. Good quality parts last longer and save you grief down the road. Especially if you drive it every day.
Hope that helps.

[Dustyn]

Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful.
Think I'll stick with the 17 and look into the 285/70r17. I don't need to go to aggressive yet and risk rubbing until I get a lift, that'll most likely be next year. 

This group has been a great source of information. 

[jkrubi]

It's gonna depend on what you like for looks! You can run with the 16" just make sure you get the proper backspacing for the wider tires. . I know you can fit a 33" tire with the correct backspacing with very minimal issues on a stock Jk, and if you want to run stock rims you'll need spacers to clear the wider rubber.  

[BUKI]

I'm old School at heart.  I remember a guy who put 15" rims with 33s on a bone stock jk. I thought it was truly sexy.  But hps  is right 17s are becoming the norm.  I would have done the 15s on my wife's jk if we didn't sell it, just for looks