thoughts on going from 20 to 17's

[novelmike]

I've scrolled through 100's of threads, dont think that I've seen this one:
I'm not a fan of the stock 20's on my 2012 ram 1500 4x4. I wanna go to a 17" aftermarket wheel and a 33" tire. Because the tire I'm choosing will be slightly beefer than the stock 20" 33 tire (heavier), I know of the possibility of getting a slight decrease in mpg. Anything else to expect??
And I'm guessing 17" rims will, since my spare is a 17. I'm thinking about ordering a 17x9 but do I get the 4.50 backspace with -12 offset OR the 5.75 backspace +12 offset.

 

[Bird]

Nope you should be set. I don't see any rubbing issues since the new Rebel's have 17's on 33's.

 

[novelmike]

Oh good call! Forgot about the rebel ram. Its got I think, 285/70/17. I'm torn between a 285/75/17 (33.8) and a 295/70/17 (33.3) and I will be installing a level lift too. So that rebel ram gives me the idea of what it might look like.

 

[SilverStreak88]

I went from 20's to 18's with a 0 offset and have no issues.

 

[Bird]

I mean if anything you'll need wheel spacers, which I personally think would look badass.

 

[novelmike]

Tires will be ordered tonight!

 

[Mauzz]

I've scrolled through 100's of threads, dont think that I've seen this one:
I'm not a fan of the stock 20's on my 2012 ram 1500 4x4. I wanna go to a 17" aftermarket wheel and a 33" tire. Because the tire I'm choosing will be slightly beefer than the stock 20" 33 tire (heavier), I know of the possibility of getting a slight decrease in mpg. Anything else to expect??

I've been thinking about going down to 18s from the stock 20s on my Laramie. I have a 3 mile dirt driveway with some rocks that I don't really slow down quite enough for and I feel like I am on borrowed time! From what I've read so far (there is a good article on car and driver about upsizing wheels and the performance effects).

The advantages of a larger wheel is a shorter (and consequently stiffer) sidewall that allows less flex. This translates into better at speed cornering on pavement, which is a sad majority of truck usage now.

A smaller wheel gives you more sidewall in the same tire size and normally a smoother ride for offroad usage and better protects the wheel (think jeeps running 16 inch wheels and 33+ inch tires).

Lastly the weight of the wheel/tire assembly is what matters to acceleration and efficiency, so while an all terrain tire with a heavier tread will weigh more than a stock tire, the smaller wheel will weigh less than the stock wheel as well. It may balance out based on which wheel/tire combo you select.

Good luck and get us some pics when you're done!

 

[getupkid]

Mauzz, where are you located? I'm moving from Southern California to Nashville Tn this week and am looking to replace my stock 17s with stock limited 20s or Laramie 20s. Might be interested in buying/trading with someone.

 

[Mauzz]

Damn, I'm just outside of Fresno, CA and I haven't even ordered the tires yet so you'll be well into TN before they would get here.

 

[madrussian]

You're not alone, I thought of downsizing my 20" black express wheels afte seeing the Rebel come out as well... Smaller and Beefier seems a bit more appealing to me.

I love 20" but they seem better suited for a lowered truck.

 

[getupkid]

My truck is getting picked up tomorrow, wanna meet half way tonight and swap them on the side of the road haha one week too late. I was up in San Jose yesterday too...

 

[Oddity]

I went from 20" stockers with 33" rubber to 17"x8.5" Method NV (0 offset) with 35" tires. No rubbing, no issues with offset. Here's a comparison photo.

 

[autos221]

33x12.5r17 here -12 offset

 

[AzRamLover]

BTW, even if your 17" wheels weigh *exactly* the same as your 20" wheels, you should see a performance increase (better accel, braking, fuel economy) due to the lower angular momentum of a smaller wheel. Angular momentum is proportional to the *square* of the radius, so an extra 1" means more than it sounds like it should.

Of course, this could be offset by the heavier tire.

 

[novelmike]

I went from 20" stockers with 33" rubber to 17"x8.5" Method NV (0 offset) with 35" tires. No rubbing, no issues with offset. Here's a comparison photo.

How much do your tires stick out past the fenders? I like the Method wheels. I'm torn between a set of Methods, Raceline Avenger SL, and a set of Walker Evans Racing wheels.
My tires are on the way. Will be here monday. Went with the 285/75/17 Nitto G2. And.... I will be gone for work for a week or 2, leaving on sunday. So I wont even be able to look or smell the fresh rubber.
If anyone is interested in my stock 20's Chrome clad I think they call them, I will be selling them cheap. Tread is good, approx 8,000 miles. TPMS included, just bolt on. Can meet in SoCal-into central Cal.

 

[Mauzz]

I went from 20" stockers with 33" rubber to 17"x8.5" Method NV (0 offset) with 35" tires. No rubbing, no issues with offset. Here's a comparison photo.

This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x576.

Great picture man those look awesome!

BTW, even if your 17" wheels weigh *exactly* the same as your 20" wheels, you should see a performance increase (better accel, braking, fuel economy) due to the lower angular momentum of a smaller wheel. Angular momentum is proportional to the *square* of the radius, so an extra 1" means more than it sounds like it should.

Hell yeah! How often do you hear "angular momentum" on a forum? Nice to know there are some smart folks on here helping out, thanks for classing up the place!

 

[Dubstep Shep]

I've been thinking about going down to 18s from the stock 20s on my Laramie. I have a 3 mile dirt driveway with some rocks that I don't really slow down quite enough for and I feel like I am on borrowed time! From what I've read so far (there is a good article on car and driver about upsizing wheels and the performance effects).

The advantages of a larger wheel is a shorter (and consequently stiffer) sidewall that allows less flex. This translates into better at speed cornering on pavement, which is a sad majority of truck usage now.

A smaller wheel gives you more sidewall in the same tire size and normally a smoother ride for offroad usage and better protects the wheel (think jeeps running 16 inch wheels and 33+ inch tires).

Lastly the weight of the wheel/tire assembly is what matters to acceleration and efficiency, so while an all terrain tire with a heavier tread will weigh more than a stock tire, the smaller wheel will weigh less than the stock wheel as well. It may balance out based on which wheel/tire combo you select.

Good luck and get us some pics when you're done!

This is absolutely wrong.

A shorter sidewall will reduce your ability to corner on pavement in almost ALL applications. A larger sidewall means more grip, not less.

Why do you think F1 has HUGE amounts of sidewall on their cars? Because it means more grip, that's why.

Additionally, a smaller wheel means less weight there, and that should offset the larger tire more or less. Depends on the specifics there but a 17" wheel will be MUCH lighter than a 20" wheel.

The ONLY performance reason to have larger wheels is to clear brakes. Everything else is just cosmetic and adds weight.

 

[Mauzz]

This is absolutely wrong.

A shorter sidewall will reduce your ability to corner on pavement in almost ALL applications. A larger sidewall means more grip, not less.

Skid pad testing on the same car, with the same size tire, and progressively larger wheels shows increased grip as wheel size increases.

Effects of Upsized Wheels and Tires Tested - Tech Dept. - Car and Driver

Additionally, a smaller wheel means less weight there

This is exactly why Formula 1 cars run small wheels.

 

[Dubstep Shep]

Skid pad testing on the same car, with the same size tire, and progressively larger wheels shows increased grip as wheel size increases.

Effects of Upsized Wheels and Tires Tested - Tech Dept. - Car and Driver



This is exactly why Formula 1 cars run small wheels.

Did you read that link?

They're using WIDER tires on the larger diameter wheel. Of course they're going to have a better skidpad.

That's a joke of a test.

 

[Thatdude596]

24s