Why the switch to big rims?

[ProfeZZor X]

There's always going to be a healthy medium between aesthetics and practicality when it comes to adding lower profile tires and rims and other suspension components. Each aftermarket wheel on my vehicle weighs a good 100lbs each, so there's no weight savings for performance. But what does make up for it is added stopping power when paired with my 8-pot Brembo kit. It certainly does it's job.

 

[Jocko PDX]

My 2 cents… 285/70R17
View attachment 421475

AMEN BROTHER!!

 

[Jocko PDX]

It seems that many folks are making a statement that larger wheels with tires that have a lower profile "perform better". I assume that this is a statement about road performance, and not off road performance. Certainly it is agreed that a tire with a larger sidewall would be a better option off road. also some are stating that they think that a smaller wheel with a bunch of space looks silly. I would agree, but I don't thing that anyone is suggesting a smaller tire, just a smaller wheel with the same size tire with more sidewall...

 

[Polo08816]

It seems that many folks are making a statement that larger wheels with tires that have a lower profile "perform better". I assume that this is a statement about road performance, and not off road performance. Certainly it is agreed that a tire with a larger sidewall would be a better option off road. also some are stating that they think that a smaller wheel with a bunch of space looks silly. I would agree, but I don't thing that anyone is suggesting a smaller tire, just a smaller wheel with the same size tire with more sidewall...

Whether low"er" profile tires are better performing both for the road and track is debatable. If it is, it's due to tire availability for certain sizing. But for road course/track applications, people are usually opting for a smaller wheel/taller sidewall with the same overall diameter that can clear the brake rotors/calipers. No one is saying, "Oh, let me get a bigger wheel/lower profile tire of the same tire model for performance". Even in a road/track application, bigger wheels and lower profile tires are more susceptible to damage depending on how aggressively you want to use the curbing at the apex or track out; and those minor line variations amount to faster lap times.

 

[Fast_AT4]

There's always going to be a healthy medium between aesthetics and practicality when it comes to adding lower profile tires and rims and other suspension components. Each aftermarket wheel on my vehicle weighs a good 100lbs each, so there's no weight savings for performance. But what does make up for it is added stopping power when paired with my 8-pot Brembo kit. It certainly does it's job. View attachment 421891View attachment 421892View attachment 421893

I look at that and see a Whipple

 

[olyelr]

Heres a denali with oem 20’s. 20’s look like 15 inchers on these new rigs lol.

 

[BacDoc]

Sano AT4 with those wheels and brake combo! That’s legit head turner, serious motor head ****!

 

[91RS]

They look better and handle better due to less sidewall roll.

 

[Sparksalot]

They look better and handle better due to less sidewall roll.

Wanna race?

 

[91RS]

I only buy 2WD’s.

 

[Sparksalot]

I only buy 2WD’s.

I have one of those as well.

 

[Marky Dissod]

I only buy 2WDs.

2WD, even without off-roady rtires, may be more than enough ...

 

[91RS]

I don’t think mine will do well there.

 

[Sparksalot]

2WD, even without off-roady rtires, may be more than enough ...

I remember watching that. Dude did Moab.

 

[bryan8252]

Very happy to have 18s but I've also got the lowest trim package. When it comes time to replace the tires I also should have lots of options at lots of price points.

Honestly most of those trims will take smaller rim sizes within reason, shouldn't be hard to downsize your 20s to 18s or your 22s to 18s.

Yes brake clearance will be the deciding factor but there are lots of vehicles on large factory wheels making their factory brakes look dinky when glimpsed through those same wheels.

So I was looking at some Yukon XL AT4s online. Picture of the mfg tag inside the door says that the spare tire is 17 inches. If the spare can be 17 inches, there is no reason the other 4 tires can't be. Which leads me to believe the ridiculous size of the rims has nothing to do with necessity.

As much as I don't want to spend an extra 2-3k after purchasing a Yukon I will be doing so.

 

[bryan8252]

Error posting... double post.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Picture of the mfg tag inside the door says that the spare tire is 17".
If the spare can be 17", there is no reason the other 4 tires can't be. Which leads me to believe the ridiculous size of the rims has nothing to do with necessity.

As much as I don't want to spend an extra 2-3k after purchasing a Yukon I will be doing so.

If you mean that you'll be spending an extra $2k-$3k to buy 17" wheels and tires,
some of that cost will eventually get defrayed by selling the 18" wheels.
The rest will be recouped over time buying cheaper tires.

Only people who think 18" wheels are NEEDED are those who sell wheels, tires, or vehicles -
and they're just trying to convince every one else that they 'need' 18" wheels.

18" (or larger / heavier) wheels are just more unsprung weight,
more wear & tear on suspension / steering bits, and more expensive tires, vs 17" wheels.

 

[olyelr]

If you mean that you'll be spending an extra $2k-$3k to buy 17" wheels and tires,
some of that cost will eventually get defrayed by selling the 18" wheels.
The rest will be recouped over time buying cheaper tires.

Only people who think 18" wheels are NEEDED are those who sell wheels, tires, or vehicles -
and they're just trying to convince every oneelse that they 'need' 18" wheels.

18" (or larger / heavier) wheels are just more unsprung weight,
more wear & tear on suspension / steering bits, and more expensive tires.

Dont at4’s have 20’s?

 

[Marky Dissod]

Don't AT4s have 20" wheels?

Don't know myself, uninterested in owning a vehicle under 10 years old.
The operant question is:
Are the AT4s brakes so big, that they NEED 20" wheels just to clear the brakes?

 

[Just Fishing]

I remember watching that. Dude did Moab.

I didn't watch the vid yet, but that looks like the lions back.
That one is pretty easy, but it's scary due to a cliff being on each side.
I want to see him do hells revenge in 2wd!