16" vs 17" wheels: pros and cons?

if the tire going on the wheel will be the same diameter, is there any difference in performance between a 16" and 17" wheel of the same make and model? I am narrowing down wheel and tire choices and am interested in a 16" but my truck came with 17" and that seems to be the most popular size. Would i see any differences in MPG or speedo between 16 and 17 with the same diameter tire? Any difference in ride quality? Any practical reason to go with one over the other? Thanks!

 

It's all preference. Bigger sidewall is better for off-road. I went with 16s by the way.

 

The Tire calculator will answer your size/speedo/odo/gearing effect questions.

I prefer more side wall than wheel on a truck. Little better ride less risk of banging up a wheel.

Total wheel/tire weight matters too. Lighter is better for pavement use. Handling, braking, acceleration, and ride quality are all affected.

 

16s fo life, unless sports car

 

More side wall means more flex, on passenger vehicles it also numbs the handling. But because of the give the ride is more smooth and tends to even out small bumps. You'll feel less of the road.

 

16" = Taller Sidewall = More squish over rough roads = smoother ride. (*Assuming same overall tire size, psi, etc)

17" = Shorter Sidewall = Less squish over rough roads = less smooth ride. (*Assuming same overall tire size, psi, etc)

18"+ = OMG LOOK AT ME!! YAY! Mall Crawler!

The only pro with 17", in my mind's eye, is that you have more room for larger brake calipers if you ever wanted bigger brake rotors/calipers.

 

If I save a few lbs per wheel choosing 16's over 17's won't the more tire make the weight savings negligible?

 

Not sure there is a real difference in actual "squish" feel between the two. The theory is, of course, correct.

G.

 

Another factor to consider is tire price. The last particular tire I was looking at was about $20 cheaper a tire for 16 vs the 17. It's probably due to more truck owners with 16s, therefore a larger demand and lower prices.

 

I could be wrong but it seems like there are more wheel and tire options with a 17" wheel then 16".

 

Maybe. Maybe not. The same size tire can have different weights in different brands.

Which is why the last para in post 3 reads as it does.

 

Maybe. All I know is when I was searching for new tires in a 285, the 16" variant was consistently cheaper than the 17"

 

What size tire are thinking of putting on that wheel? As OldMan52 said there are way more options in the 17 even if they do cost a little more. Also you need to look at the load rating on the tire size you are looking at. Just because you can match the height with a 70 or 75 profile doesn't mean the load ratings will be the same.

 

If 18 is bro

What are all the 20" that turd gen owners keep installing ?

 

I agree with that 100%, I was looking at aftermarket wheels last night on several sites and noticed less choices with the 16" then 17" made me start thinking about switching.

 

The best way to figure this out is to go to some site, like tirerack.com and compare the same tire in the 2 different sizes. You'll be able to find the actual weight of each tire and go from there.

 

You'll note I said 18"+ (so 18 and everything larger).

Once you get that big it's all about looks and not functionality. Not much sidewall left in that 20+ size!

 

I see

I have puny 16

 

Me too! Stayed 16" purely for off-road purposes.

 

The only 17" rim I'd consider is the TRD Pro rims. Apparently the guys at expedition overland have no problems running them on with 285s with AT3 general grabbers.