Okay... I need new tires

I'm buying Josh's lift for my 03' tracker

I have the 2.0 L

I don't want to "kill" my on-road performance

I want to run a good sized tire, but one that is not too heavy

From what I can tell the max size is a 245/75/16... but I cannot find an agressive tire in that size w/o being E ply... and I've heard these things can approach 50lbs per tire

Or... do I go with a 30x9.5?... C ply & seems reasonable... but is it big enough to acctuality wheel with?

As well.. I could go 31 x 10.5... but I think these may just be a bit too big for this tracker... just as I think the innner fender will touch and I don't think I can cut any...
seems to be the popular size of choice...


If maybe someone can find me a light 30x9.5 w/ a very tall maybe 22/32inch tread pattern... then I will definately go for the 30x9.5's

or is going for the E ply'd 245/75/16's going to be too much work on the drivetrain?

I'm buying Josh's lift for my 03' tracker

How much lift is this?

it's the true 1.75" front/2" rear lift

If you're getting the 1.5" spacers it should be more like 2-2.25" of lift up front.  I'm not sure, but 31's might be pretty tight

31's would be tight with that lift, and would need at least minor trimming.

I'd say either keep your 235's that you have now or go with some 30's.  You'd likely have to trim to fit the 31x10.5R15's or 245's (which you'd obviously have to get different wheels for as well).

Our plan, if I ever find the time, is to run our 225/75R16's with the lift.  I think the proportions would be about right and keep everything clear without looking small.

I noticed the "Weight/Size" part of the subject. I am beginning to think it has more to do highway performance than I thought. A stock steel wheel with a 205 on it weighs about 42#. Going to a P235/75R15 AT will up that weight about 8#. That is almost 20% more rotational mass but still doesn't have too much affect on a 100 HP rig. And though the diameter increased by 2" or 7%. it still seems to accelerate quick and cruises the highway with no problem.

Now throw on a tire like a  30" mud terrain (still on stock wheels) and the weight jumps another 6# for a total of 58#. That is 38% more rotational mass than stock but only 11% larger diameter. Suddenly the rig feels sluggish off the line and hills start to slow it on the highway.

Then go to a 15x8 steel wheel and a 31" tire. Now you have a set up that weighs 80% more than stock. Not to mention the mechanical advantage given up by a tire that is 15% taller and the added rolling resisatance of the tread and width. Off the line you definately feel it and even a highway overpass feels like a hill. 5th gear gets little use.

I am seriously thinking of going to the lightest 31" setup for my DD  so I can still cruise on the highway. I'd like to get the weight down to about 60# if that is possable. Still looking for a light semi aggressive tire and the lightest wheel made.

Your 2.0 will handle it better than my 1.6 but I just thought I would share my experiance with it.

Shredder is dead on.

I am looking for a light wheel.. I like the way the Crawler's look... but they are damnably heavy.. I would love to be able to find an aluminum wheel that is both backspaced correctly for my needs, AND tough and light.. and have a pattern that I can stand.. I hate most aftermarket wheels...

I dunno if this helps but you can search Summit Racing's LARGE selection of wheels online by wheel specs.  Lug pattern, wheel height and width, backspacing, material, etc etc etc.  I use it when I feel like torturing myself with stuff I can't afford.
www.SummitRacing.com
Ever notice when you want to buy a set of used aluminum wheels NO ONE has a set for sale that you can use or that isn't priced out of your range?

Honestly though, I called Summit a few weeks ago and asked about weights on a 15x8 steel wheel vs a 15x8 American Racing Baja.  It was less than 10lbs per wheel, I think in the 6-8lbs range.  I was sort of surprised because people talk about the difference in weight like it's much more.  I can see where it would add up like Shredder mentioned but the difference in weight isn't terribly much.