I'm finally upgrading my wheels and tires on my JK Wrangler. I'm actually going from my stock Rubicon 17" wheels to KMC XD 16" wheels. There seem to be less options with 16" wheels, but I really want more sidewall and just prefer the look of the smaller wheel.

Well, I'm looking at the Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs size LT285/75R16. These tires are going look noticeably better than what are the jeep now. But in this size, these tires seem to only come in an "E" load rating. Am I asking for a much rougher ride with this setup? The current Wrangler tires have a "C" rating.

This is a daily driver.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Balzé Halzé, November 09, 2017 08:29 AM

I have those exact tires and size on my F350. They will air up to 80 psi for max hauling, but you can safely drop them down lower. For a Jeep, I would think 30 psi would be sufficient.

I think I actually got a smoother ride in my big truck with these tires. I dropped mine down to 50 psi.

E or "10 ply" rated tires are usually for 3/4 ton and up pickups. They usually aren't needed for 1/2 ton due to the truck being overloaded if carrying the capacity of E range tires. Since Jeeps likely are 1/4 ton you really don't need the load carrying capacity of E range tires. You may find some brands that still ride well but you will always lose ride due to the tires being heavier than needed. I wouldn't put E range tires on anything smaller than a 1/2 ton pickup.

You might get long wear but the tradeoffs aren't worth it.

My dad has E rated 17" Michelin LTX on his Silverado & the ride is fine.
Co-worker has BFG K02 20" on his F150 &h said the ride is fine.

Circa 2011 my 2008 JK Sahara got E rated 10 ply to replace worn 18" OEM tires. Despite warnings/misgivings, the ride really didn't seem much different. Maybe the Rancho 9000 shocks helped.

Those tires (Kelly clones of Duratracs) were a couple sizes up from the stock OEM Duellers. While they served fine over the next 70000 miles, I won't be repeating that choice.

I am purposefully keeping my 2015 JK tire sizes the same 'skinny looking' design. They have been quite satisfactory for my DD use and considerable towing of the M100 Bantam.

The 10 ply tires were excellent ride/handling at the lower end of the tire pressure range. Pumped up to 50+ pounds was more noticeable in the kidneys than 34# was. Good luck.

Max pressure on that size is 80psi and each tire is rated to carry 3,750 pounds each. It's way overkill for your Jeep and even airing them down, your ride will be harsh. Not only that, but they are going to be much heavier than a Load Range C and your acceleration will be negatively impacted.

What size are your current tires? The size you mentioned is 33" in diameter and if that's significantly taller than your current tires, your gearing will be off and you'll lose even more acceleration.

How about the 265/70R16? A little narrower, 2.5" shorter, and deeper tread?

Not only stiffer but much heavier. Try a different tire manufacturer or look at 17" wheels for more options. I wouldn't put E rated tires on a Wrangler.

I like the stiffer sidewalls of the higher rated tires on my 4x4. The ride is fine, to me, and they're stiff enough to work with very little tire pressure, which is useful sometimes, and they're much more resistant to abrasion whether from curbs or off-road use. I ran to the store / gas station once with just over 12lbs in each tire, when it usually has 32 in each, and you wouldn't have guessed they were that low just by looking at them.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

What size are your current tires? The size you mentioned is 33" in diameter and if that's significantly taller than your current tires, your gearing will be off and you'll lose even more acceleration.

The current tires are 32". I wanted to at least go to a 33".

32" to 33" won't be too bad gearing wise.

You'll be fine. Just use the vehicle recommended inflation pressures. Another benefit of the LT's is that you get more tread depth than you would on the same size SL (standard load) tire. In your case that size is not manufactured in standard load.

quote:

But in this size, these tires seem to only come in an "E" load rating. Am I asking for a much rougher ride with this setup?

Like a buckboard wagon full of bricks, probably. But if you do a lot of off-roading and encounter sharp rocks, mesquite thorns, etc., the thicker sidewalls would be a little less susceptible to puncturing, I suppose. I'd probably leave C's on it if it were mine.

The LRE's aren't going to ride much stiffer. Back in the day when they were true 10 plies is another story.

quote:

Originally posted by pbslinger:
I wouldn't put E range tires on anything smaller than a 1/2 ton pickup.
You might get long wear but the tradeoffs aren't worth it.

I made that mistake once on my 1/2 ton pickup. *Never* again.
Both the ride and the handling for a daily driver SUCKED big time. IMO, E rated tires are NOT what you want on anything smaller than a 3/4 ton.
NOT worth it.

I made the mistake of running E tires on my 3rd Gen 4Runner.

I switched to C and the ride and handling improved, 4x4 improved too.

quote:

Originally posted by roberth:
I made the mistake of running E tires on my 3rd Gen 4Runner.

I switched to C and the ride and handling improved, 4x4 improved too.

I have Ds on mine. Love them.

I don't think you'll notice it. Run them at 33-36 psi and you'll be fine. I had E on my LJR and
have D on my JKUR. I stuck with the 17", though.

I just looked for a bit (while watching the kids at swim practice) and all I see are load range E tires for 33" and 16" rims.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
I just looked for a bit (while watching the kids at swim practice) and all I see are load range E tires for 33" and 16" rims.

Yeah, that's what I'm seeing too. I already ordered the rims through the shop. I'm willing to give these tires a go though. Still going to talk with the tire guy when the wheels arrive. I've dealt with this shop many many times, and they're pretty good. I would've thought that they would have steered me away from that tire if they really thought it would ruin my Jeep's ride, but well, you know. It's still a shop.

Seems there's all manner of opinions on the ride with these "E" rated tires, so I guess we'll just have to see where mine ends up.

Thanks for the input guys.

quote:

Originally posted by KMitch200:

quote:

Originally posted by pbslinger:
I wouldn't put E range tires on anything smaller than a 1/2 ton pickup.
You might get long wear but the tradeoffs aren't worth it.

I made that mistake once on my 1/2 ton pickup. *Never* again.
Both the ride and the handling for a daily driver SUCKED big time. IMO, E rated tires are NOT what you want on anything smaller than a 3/4 ton.
NOT worth it.

I agree. I have E rated Michelins on my F150 now. I can’t wait to wear them out and go back to the OEM recommended specifications.