Is this a stupid idea? downsizing my tires(12.50-10.50)

S

stoney04tj

so i'am shopping for new tires. in my search i have become torn on what size to get. 33x12.50 or 33x10.50.....


i like the look and performance of the 12.50's i'm currently running but the ride and mpg is slowly killing me!

if i run 10.50 i'll shed almost 50-60 lbs pounds of rotational weight which will hopefully make the engine work alittle less and improve the ride quality. i did fine wheeling on 31x10.50s when i had my xj, with lockers and 4:1 low range i dont think the skinnier tires should be a huge issue offroad. 

the price differance isn't a huge issue, its about $75 more for a full set(5) 10.50s


so what do you guys think????
 
if i had not gotten such a good deal on my 12.50s i would have got 10.50s

if you go with a 10.50 i doubt you will notice a difference off road at all. also dont think you will noitce much on-road difference.  maybe a little. i would think the major advantage is that a 10.50 is likely to hydroplane, right...? better manners in the rain.  :?
 
suffering through this scenario too. going to go BFG AT KO's with black steelies that have a 3.75 BS. I know the 31x10.50's on my Canyon rims stick out under the flair just a bit so I am assuming with the new rims the 33x10.50s will extend a bit more. Not a Rubi so with the 3.73's I am hoping to save as much power as I can. Ordering rims this week and hopefully tires when the tax man comes! Then we can finally lift this pig!
 
Bunks-tj said:
if i had not gotten such a good deal on my 12.50s i would have got 10.50s

if you go with a 10.50 i doubt you will notice a difference off road at all. also dont think you will noitce much on-road difference.  maybe a little. i would think the major advantage is that a 10.50 is likely to hydroplane, right...? better manners in the rain.  :?
Click to expand...

the hydroplaning is one reason, the big fat 12.50's pull the front end around alot! it sucks driving on rutted up snow covered roads, i'm constanly fighting the wheel to keep it out of a bank.

part of my "ride" issue might be my steering too, i'm gonna ditch the OTK heim joint in favor of a good tre setup(currie or crown) and put my steering stabilizer back on too(yes i know that might be the whole problem right there)
 
A potential compromise might be a 32 x 11.50
I am running that size Yokohoma Geolander AT right now and at under $600 for a set of 4 they have proven to be a spectacular deal. I think that BFG makes that size too...
 
Not a bad idea, it is really a personal preference on the tires. I don't think you will see a drastic improvement in mileage, but the on-road handling will probably be a tad better.  Your steering improvments should make for better road manners too.
 
I ran 33x10.50 on my 95 ZJ and loved them.  The 4.0 in the grand had no problem with them, it had 4:10s in it and I got around 17 highway when running them.  They rode very nice and as you said weight alot less than 12.50's.

That size tire or metric equivalant will eventually end up on my rubi.  Most likely with the next tire purchase after I wear these 32's out.

I never had a sidewall issue with my 33x10.50's , ran them on an 8" rim and they performed great on any terrain I took them on.

I don't think you will be disappointed if you get them.
 
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