Expedition Wheels

[Ranger Steve]

if i had to choose between 16 or 17 id go 16 due to more tire options currently but i like 15 better then both of those cuz the rims are cheaper and so are the tires plus i have tons of options and more tire for airing down if i have to...id also go steel

 

[madizell]

i would go with 16 inch , i like to have more rubber because when you bring down the pressure offroad , the wheel will be more protected.

This is a very valid point when considering wheels and tires for off road work. Assuming that you would use the same overall diameter tire whether you used 16 or 17 inch wheels, if you use 17's of the same diameter you will be using a slightly lower profile tire in the same width, or will have to find a narrower tire in 17 than the 16 to make up the aspect ratio and get the same diameter and aspect ratio. Low profile tires are generally not first choice for off road use. Airing down is the main reason, but even aired up, they have less room for deflection before rims contact solid ground, and generally have to be aired higher to protect the rims than the same tire with taller sidewalls. Low profile tires, IMHO, are for mall crawling not rock crawling.

I would suggest you decide which tires you want to use -- diameter, width, aspect ratio, tread pattern, bias or radial, the whole concept. Then pick a wheel to mount the tire of your choice. Ultimately, it is the tire that makes contact with earth and which will make or break your vehicle in off road use.