Off Roading on 18" wheels??
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Off Roading on 18" wheels??
VanSmite
11/29/2007 7:14:31 PM
I finaly found some wheels I would like to get for the Alpha....
Problem is they only come in 18" and I will be taking this Hummer on more than a few off-road adventures, so I hate to go bigger than 17" wheels. Anyone off-road on 18's? I cringe just asking that question!
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Hawaiian Hummah
11/29/2007 7:49:37 PM
my neib has 20's w/off road tires, the look is sweet but I'm not sure about the off road abilities, his is more show than go!!! (not a hummer)
VanSmite
11/29/2007 7:56:04 PM
WOW! No thanks!
I think I would rather pound my **** with a hammer then off-road on 20" wheels, that would be some very expensive wheeling!
hilljob26
11/30/2007 2:07:37 AM
wheels are wheels,they get scratched,you buy another.i mean in the end,go big or go home right.just my .02
KS Trekker
11/30/2007 4:43:34 AM
quote:
ORIGINAL: VanSmite
I finaly found some wheels I would like to get for the Alpha....
Problem is they only come in 18" and I will be taking this Hummer on more than a few off-road adventures, so I hate to go bigger than 17" wheels. Anyone off-road on 18's? I cringe just asking that question! 
Looks or cost of larger wheels aside, the biggest issue I see with off-roading on larger wheels is the low profile tires don't give you as much side wall. You really need the longer sidewall to help soften your ride. Like you stated, I wouldn't go larger than 17". But it really comes down to how stiff of a ride you are willing to take.
Doc Olds
11/30/2007 7:15:02 AM
Larger rims limit the ability to air down for traction and floatation as well, but I figure you guys know that, cuz that's a big part of selecting off road wheels. As I understand it, 17" is the acceptable breaking point, but it is your rig and $.
josh1899
11/30/2007 7:42:44 AM
a larger wheel would also effectively raise your gearing which isn't the best for off road either!
shortbus
11/30/2007 7:53:03 AM
the wheel size won't change your gearing, all that matters is the tire size. i had 18" wheels on the bus when i first got it, but didn't do any real offroading until i got my 17" rims on. i'd say keep on looking.
josh1899
11/30/2007 7:58:55 AM
quote:
the wheel size won't change your gearing, all that matters is the tire size.
Ahh you are correct sir. I wasn't thinking about the lower profile tires.
shortbus
11/30/2007 8:04:13 AM
actually, none of those will change the gearing, but they'll change the ratios that the speedo relies on to maintain accuracy. bigger or smaller tire than stock will throw off the speedo, as well as your mileage computer.
Desert Dan
11/30/2007 8:46:07 AM
Why do you think the Adventure Package has 33's on 16" rims?
More sidewalls give a better ride and flex at low pressure and more room beteween the rim and rocks.
importkiller
11/30/2007 9:10:53 AM
the bigger question is what size tires are you running....18's would be ok for a 37"+ tire...but for a 35" tire 17 is the biggest I would go.
Hummer Guy
11/30/2007 4:07:19 PM
With that wheel you're probably going to have a wider tire - which you can still get an agressive tire, and you're only losing one inch of sidewall. Keep in mind, airing down is to give yourself a wider footprint...by having a wider tire installed, you will lessen the need to air down to get sidewall traction. Now, serious rock climbing when the tire really grabs on, you may see a difference...but the main danger is just scratching and denting when larger rocks get tossed around -- I wouldn't let it hold you back from buying the wheels, though.
Check out how wide/agressive these tires are on 20s:
RealJeep
11/30/2007 5:09:01 PM
I can't understand how the Hooptie HUMMER trend has whored out the off road tire market. Off Road Tires need to have side wall thickness, it helps to absorb the shock, gives flex and bight and lessens the work shocks have to do. All those thin side wall tires are good for are making RAP videos and wearing out your A** on bumps because of the lessened rebound rates.
VanSmite
11/30/2007 6:40:54 PM
Thanks for the input guys. I will be going with 17's at the most so I will keep looking.
skeeet
11/30/2007 11:48:26 PM
I just would not want the rim to stick out past the sidewall. I have seen too many rims bent up because the side wall of the tire did not extend enough. That is why I really like the 35''s with the stock 16' rims but the 33's work good too.
It's either a Hummer or a pimp mobil- make up your mind.
Feez68
12/1/2007 12:46:44 AM
I think any wheels over 16 or 17 inches look ghetto on ANY vehicle, whether it's a street car, or a Hummer. Why would you want to copy ghetto fads of criminals?
Hummer Guy
12/1/2007 7:51:28 AM
So this vehicle has 'ghetto' wheels? (they're 20 inches)
fatguy
12/1/2007 8:42:10 AM
i dont think that every body that have 20'' are ghetto or criminals but thats just my two cents
but then that just me i only have 16''so what do i no
TheGunnyRet
12/1/2007 10:15:49 AM
TheGunnyRet
12/1/2007 10:26:44 AM
Part duex, if you don't want your wheels to "Stick" out you need to mention if you are going to lift it or not. If you lift it your offset will have to push the wheel out to clear the suspension. If you are NOT lifting it than you have to look at the offset of the origanal wheel and match that up to the 18", 20", 22", 24" etc.... You can't problebly go below 16" or you will grind off your calipers. But you also have to consider the rim width as well when doing this too.
P.S. My 2007 Dodge came with 20" from the factory, so I don't know whats up with this ghetto S&#^$
importkiller
12/1/2007 11:13:55 AM
lifted or not you will need to get an offset to push the rim out from the control arms if you want to run 35's. If not you will rub slightly at full lock.
Realjeep...the hummer thing hasn't made off road tires go to 17,18, and 20" rims.....the times changed. Unlike chitty dana 30 Jeep axles that can only handle 35's stock most fullsize trucks can go bigger...35"s used to be HUGE now....they a 35 is a small tire. I would say 38's are the norm for a lifted truck now......now a 38 on a 20" rim leaves you 18" of sidewall....35's on a 16" rim leaves 19 of sidewall.....I have no problem with running a 20" rim on a 38" or bigger tire.
mh307
12/1/2007 2:03:20 PM
smokinhummer
12/1/2007 7:26:58 PM
quote:
ORIGINAL: Feez68
I think any wheels over 16 or 17 inches look ghetto on ANY vehicle, whether it's a street car, or a Hummer. Why would you want to copy ghetto fads of criminals?
18" wheels are what came stock on my 07 H3 that I bought about a month ago. I went with the stock size wheel when I recently put on Helo Maxx 18x9 and 325/60 (33's) Nitto's. I am sure not getto nor a criminal
TheGunnyRet
12/1/2007 10:53:56 PM
The stock tire size are 32" and the one option puts you on 33". Reading this seems that he is more worried about tire width on the rim. Sometimes specifics help. Just a note all tire manufacturers have a recommended rim width for the particular size, and most wheels are 7", 7.5", 8", 9",10", 12". If you check the website I posted earlier you can plug in the numbers and do a comparison and it gives you a visual.