Tire width?

[FirstTimer]

So I've been researching tires a bit for when I have enough coin saved up for my build, and I needed some clarification on tire width as it relates to rim width and backspacing. If I were to keep the stock rims on my 02 tj sport apex, which I assume are 8inch wide, and I wanted 33 inch tires, do I have to go with a 10.5 inch wide tire as recommended or will a 12.5 inch wide tire fit? Further more is there any real benefit to a wider tire if I only plan on going with a 2.5 inch lift? Because from what I've read the wider tire rubs pretty bad at full flex and full turn. Finally, because I would like 33 s, should I  just get new rims and at what width and backspacing for best on and offroad performance, meaning corning stability, ride quality and rubbing based on the lift height I will be going for?

Fyi I did use the search function and I realize this is a complex question that will have many opinionated answers! But any info is better than no info.

Thanks in advance!

[cLAY]

What is the width of the 33" tire you are running? For a 33X12.5 tire recomended rim width is 8" or 10". I'm running 36X13.5" on an 8" rim with no trouble and I've run 12.5s on a 7" rim with without problems as well.

[w squared]

The tire charts that I've seen ssuggest an 8" rim for a 12.5" wide tire, but I have had no problems running 35X12.5R17's on my stock JK rims, which are 7.5" wide. Both Goodyears and Toyos have worked well...and I have a sneaking suspicion that running a relatively narrow rim has helped with keeping the tires seated securely on the beads at 9psi. Then again, I made sure that I had an air compressor and a big fat rachet strap before I dropped my air pressure to that point on a non-beadlock wheel.

[FirstTimer]

I'm currently running 30inch tires, looking to upgrade to 33's in the future.  What you guys are saying is what I though to be true, that 33x12.5R15 are ok on a 15x8 rim.  However, I was looking at the Toyo Open Country M/T, as well as the Goodyear Duratrac and on the website the manufacturers suggest a 10inch wide rim for a 33x12.5R15.  I just wanted to confirm that if I were to run 33x12.5R15 on 8inch rims that I would be ok aired down and in cold weather? (rims shrink in cold, loss air pressure, etc.) Furthermore, does anyone have any advice on whether a wider tire is more beneficial overall and will I get significantly less rub with a 10.5inch wide tire?

Thanks

[w squared]

Wider tire = wider footprint = more contact area = better traction when you're offroad (mostly) But...wider tires are not made for fuel economy and good manners when you're on the road. Figure out what your priorities are, and then you can decide what width to run.

As far as rubbing suspension components, wider stuff will definitely rub more. A 10.5 wide tire will be 1 inch further away from your suspension components than a 12.5 wide tire when on a wheel with the same backspacing. See what your 10.5 wide tire does at full lock and at full stuff, then measure...and see if adjusting your steering stops would solve the issue.

[cLAY]

The narrower thde rim the less likely you are to pop a bead, however you will have more sidewall bulge and increase the chances of cutting a sidewall.

Most people I know run an 8" rim with a 12.5 wide tire.

[vantagetes]

I'll second the narrower rim being better for keeping beads on. A narrower rim means the sidewall will also help protect the rim a bit more if you're thinking about spending more than $100 a rim. I'm running an 8" rim on 33x12.5s. Stock rims (or at least mine) are 7" which is pushing the limits on the small side. Another issue to narrow rims is it squishes the tire and makes it sit taller. You have a better chance of fitting tall tires with a wide rim (but a better chance of losing a bead at low psi). Picture squeezing a marshmallow. That's what rims do to tires, the more you narrow up the rim the bigger the tire bulges up. Another thing to consider is the tread is going to overhang a 7" rim way more than an 8" and you may be rubbing the inner sidewall on suspension bits when you turn or articulate.

Wider tires give you more floatation in the nasty bits and more traction but suck more on ice, give worse steering response and like to follow the tracks in the pavement. They also hydroplane nicely but sometimes this is good (ahhh I can totally make it across that river if I hit it fast enough).

I'm fairly certain you are NOT going to be able to fit 33s on a 2.5 inch lift without a lottttttttt of rubbing. There are ways to minimize the rubbing (tube fenders, wheel spacers/backspacing to the magic spot, adjusting bump stops) but you're going to lose a fair bit of articulation because the tire is going to jam up before the suspension bottoms out. Each suspension setup is going to articulate slightly differently so there's no real textbook answer on exactly what combination will give you perfect fit. There are guides to get you close but there are always variables.

If you want anytime this week just give me a call (just pm for my number) and you can look at my jeep, I'm running 33x12.50 on a 4" lift and 8" rims with 3.5" backspacing. We can go find something to climb up on so you can see how the tire fits. Also it's a good idea to look around at tire prices so you have an idea, but a good option for when you have your lift done and you're ready to buy is just borrow a couple spare tires and see how they fit on your jeep.