33"x13.5" on 8" wide rim=too much pucker?

[Bob Barry]

I've been waiting to come across a set of used 33" or 35" mud tires locally for a decent price. Somebody local has a set of 33"x13.5" M-T Baja Claws for $300, and I'm tempted.

Only problem is that I would have to mount them on 8" wide wagon-wheels. I know that these rims are perfect for 10.5" wide tires; my question is whether anyone has actually had any luck running tires that wide on rims that narrow?

I'm I going to be rolling the bead off the rim at every turn? Or is this going to give me the ultimate in sidewall protection?

These would be play-tires, not everyday tires, so they'd usually be aired-down to <15psi, but I would have to take them at least 45 minutes on the highway to get to my destination. (though I suppose I could change them over at the trailhead, but I'd prefer not to)

Any insights/advice/concerns/critcisms/humor appreciated! smile.gif

Or anyone else in the Northeast with a cheap set of evenly-worn used 33's or 35's that would fit better?

[Lindel]

A lot of people have used 33x12.5x15's on 15x8 rims, with no problem (I haven't tried it, myself), so it might work. 15x10 AR767 (the black RockCrawlers in the magazines) would work better, I'm sure, but that'd be an extra $200-250.

[Lindel]

Sorry, got distracted and hit post reply. The extra inch on the Claws "shouldn't" make that much difference, or at least I don't think it should. Ya can't beat the price, if there's any decent tread on em.

[Bob Barry]

Thanks (again) Lindel! smile.gif

They are half-thread; so if they're going to fit on the rim, the question becomes:

* Are they worth $75/tire? I think so.

* Can I afford them? Well, the children don't need to eat...

* Can I sneak these past my wife? Doubtful, as these are beastly-looking tires. I think there's more tread on the sidewalls alone than on the whole of any other tire I've got.

Ah, decisions, decisions. Maybe I can get him to trade something...

[TPICherokee]

I have a friend does a lot of wheeling and he runs a wide tire on a smaller rim like you are talking about. He says that when he airs down it is almost impossible to blow one off the bead because there is so much "tension" on the bead. Just a thought.

[River Beast]

I say go for it!!! The narrow 15x7 (or 8") will not hider the tire... it will fit..no problem. Now the only thing to think about is the offset of the wagon wheel.... this could be the factor that could cause you to rub in the wrong area... like the leaf springs in the back. I have a standard offset (approx 3.5") on a 15x12 Eagle and run my 39.5x15x15's with .75" clearance between the tire and the leafs on either side.

If the tire is 13.5" and the rim is 8", you will have approx 2.75" of tire over the outer lip of the rim.

***Take the measurement from the inside of the rim lip to your leaf in the back and see how much room you have to play with...

...This is the best way I know how to tell if you have the room for them without mounting one up.... good luck

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

I'm running Mickey thompson Mtx's on the back of my J-10. 33x12.5R15's. On 8" rims. I have just over an inch between the sidewall and the leaf springs. I am running the stock rim. I think you can get away with it. That is also an awesome price. I paid more for the MTX's with less than half tread. So I support your decision. They'll look awesome.

Daniel

P.s. go to the mickey thompson site for the actual dimensions of the tire.

[Gladi8r]

I ran 33"X12.50" on 15X8 wheels for a couple years with no problems. Was great when running off road...mine was on a CJ7 so I am not sure how much rubbing you may have on a wag.

[porkchop]

I am running 35x12.50's on 15x8's and it is a little to close in the back next to the leaf springs for my liking. I think that the extra inch might be a problem. You could run a spacer if the back spacing on the rim does not work for you. I am thinking about this option myself.

[Bnjnz]

i was thinkin about this because i was going to get a bfg mt's 31x12.5. i looked into american racing wheels. they have an all black wheel similiar to the rockcrawlers in the 6 lug pattern. they offered two offsets for a wider tire. i think this might be the answer to any rubbing that will occure on the real springs. give it a look at their site they have a full online selection with all the wheel measurements.

benjamin
1991 GW

[Jake_S]

The 13" should fit without any problems. I ran a set of 12.5 GroundHawgs on 8.5" rims for 2 years before I sold the truck. I think they're still on there.
I agree with BigYEllow, that's a **** good price.
Jake_S

[67Gladiator]

Hey,
PorkChop mentioned spacers a line or two up and I was wondering, since the subject came up this week at work what anyone's thoughts were WRT spacers and safety on and off road
Thanks y'all
G

[Iron Horse]

I have heard that the Baja Claws (not Radials) run slightly smaller than size listed. Example: 35/13.5/15 is actually closer to a 33/12.5/15. Don't know if this info helps at all.

[jeepbob]

I currently run 33x12.50's on 8" rims and have no problems. The extra inch is actually the tread on the side walls.

[scotty]

ok,i have run 31x10.5 on 6inch wide wheels(on my eagle) 32x11.5s on the stock aluminum wheels,which are what?6 or 7"? i currently run 38x15.5 on 10 ich wheels. i have wheeled accidentally with less than 1 psi in a tire on occasion,and i regualrly air down to 5-8 psi. wether or not the bead will pop does depend alot on the tire and the wheel. my gumbos and hawgs do not like to let go of the wheel for nothin. if i have to break one down for some reason,ill have to move the bumper jack around the tire to 3-5 different places.

you read different things- a narrower wheel is more likely to roll the bead off as the sidewalls flex,no,no,no, the narrower wheel will hael pinch the beads on. i dont know,cept that i have almos zero trouble with the tires staying on,even at very low psi.

with standard offset wheels,my 38x15.5s on ten inch wide wheels,left me less than 1/8 inch clearance betweenthe rear leaf and tire at normal ride height. upon compression,the sidewall would rub on the leaf spring. this is with the stock nattow trac mc 20. the narrow trac front had to have longer bolts installed in the steering stops to keep them from rubbing the front spring while turning.

thats one thing im really happy about with my newly installed widetrac axles. more leaf spring clearance!

i would DEFINATELY jump on a set of claws for $300. well worth it.

for those that like a wide rim,a friend of mine has a set of 6 lug 14"wide wheels,if anyones interested...