How to understand metric tire sizes

Help:
I recently ordered some 18" FN BFDs. Does anyone know what's a good size tires to run with a 3" lift without it rubbing? BTW this is my dd. What type of tires would you recommend getting? Thanks.


Current pic: Stock wheels with 265/70/R16

 

Found this Performance Tread
$120 a piece 265/75/16 Falken Wildpeak A/T3W.

 

Great information on tire size! My question is more of rim diameter. I currently have 17 inch rims and would like to drop to 16s for a bit due to cash flow....or lack there of. So the tire calculator shows this:
265/65- 17 265/70-16 Difference
Diameter inches (mm) 30.56 (776.3) 30.61 (777.4) 0.04 (1.1) 0.1%
Width inches (mm) 10.43 (265) 10.43(265) 0 (0) 0%
Circum. inches (mm) 96.02 (2438.82) 96.15 (2442.27) 0.14 (3.46) 0.1%
Sidewall Hgt in (mm) 6.78 (172.25) 7.3 (185.5) 0.52 (13.25) 7.7%
Rvlutns per mile (km) 659.89 (410.03) 658.95 (409.45) -0.93 (-0.58) -0.1%

However, what other considerations are there to dropping from 17 to 16 inch rims (not much difference in sizing per the calculator)?

 

You’re just gaining more tire sidewall, which is a good thing.

that said, you’re not going to save money buying new wheels unless you have some free lying around. The difference in tire cost will be less than the cost of wheels most likely.


I prefer 16s though. More rubber, less metal, better for my uses.

 

I’ve just made a purchase of 17x9 wheels. I want to be sure I’m running the right tires, and if I understand correctly would a 265/70R17 be to big and would I need to got down to like a 250 approximately to meet the 9’’ wheel width?

 

Nope you should check the tires you want to run. Typically there is a range listed for a given tire. For example, the Cooper AT3-4S's i'm looking at in a 265 are good for wheel width range from 7 to 9 inches.

 

Very informative. Thank you!