XJ Tire Sizes: Looking for info & opinions

[bRIBEGuy]

Okay, so the XJ is growing a little bit bigger again, and will probably land somewhere between 3"-4" in lift.  As such, it's time to step up to some bigger shoes.  I've already decided that set of Goodyear Duratracs are gonna be the type, but the size is still a bit in the air.  I'm planning on keeping my stock rims, so I'm looking at going with either:

245/75R16 (30.5"x9.8")
265/75R16 (31.6"x10.5")

The XJ has an auto tranny with 3.55 gears, and will likely stay that way for a while.  Wheels are 16" Jeep Icons with 1.25" spacers (so an effective 4" offset).  Fenders are untrimed with stock flares.

90% of the use of the truck is utility, and it sees more highways & gravel then true offroad.  I'd still like it to be capable of wheeling though.

So any thoughts?

I'd LOVE to go with the bigger 32" size, I'm just not sure if it's suck too much for rubbing/mileage compared to the smaller 31's.


They'll be going on this:

[BlackYJ]

The actual gain from a 245 to a 265 is very minimal and if you are concerned about rubbing just get a good set of 245s and call it a day since most of your time is street driving.

What is the load rating on those tires?

[dubbleJs]

Go with the bigger tire if its one of your options...you will regret it down the road because you will get the bug again in a while to go bigger and better 
On a 4.5" running 33x12.5x15 it was a great setup on my XJ, front fenders were trimmed and flares moved up, it just rubbed the back of the front fender when flexed out offroad with swaybar disconnected, on short arms.
3.55's on 31's or 32's will be reasonable. I daily drove for a long time on 33's with 3.55's and it wasn't too too bad but you'll have to push the skinny pedal down a bit more on hills etc...

[bRIBEGuy]

What is the load rating on those tires?

245s can be had in either 108Q/C6 or 120Q/E10 (2205/3042lb)

265s are a bit stiffer at 112Q/C6 or 123Q/E10 (2470/3195lb)

[bRIBEGuy]

Currently kinda leaning towards the 32's purely for looks.

Also pretty sure this makes me really shallow.

[Dingleberry]

I'd do the 32's personally.

Like Jonas, I too ran 33x12.5R15's on stock 3.55 gear ratio as a daily driver, on short arms. worked well enough. Like he said, had to hammer down on the skinny pedal for steep hills.

[tubby]

Currently kinda leaning towards the 32's purely for looks.
Also pretty sure this makes me really shallow.

Do it.
Don't let stupid crap like money or reason get in your way
It'll look awesome, you'll feel awesome and you'll have that lil bounce in your step.

[w squared]

It'll look awesome, you'll feel awesome and you'll have that lil bounce in your step.

This message brought to you by Cialis. 

[bRIBEGuy]

This message brought to you by Cialis. 

Regardless of what brought us the message, it was just that little bit extra that convinced me to drop the hammer and order up a set of 265/75R16s.