22" (stock) vs. 20" vs. 18" Wheels

[Lou Hamilton]

So, I am really considering swapping out my stock 22" wheels for either 20" or 18" ones.

The tires I am choosing (Nitto Ridge Grapplers) are almost identical in stature whether I go with 20" or 18" based on their literature specs.

LT285/65R18: 32.56 x 11.5, 3640 @ 80, 58.33 lbs
LT33x11.5R20: 32.76 x 11.42, 2910 @ 80, 66.36 lbs

I don't do any real off-roading, but do a lot of camper towing. Which wheel size do you think would fit my use case better?

I may do the ReadyLift in the future, but for now it will sit on stock suspension. At that point, I may upgrade to larger tires depending on how it might look after the lift.

Any thoughts, ideas, or pics would be helpful. This will most likely be a winter project so I am in no real rush, but definitely want some ideas to churn around in my head.

 

[JasonH]

Smaller wheel would likely provide smaller moment of inertia and improve mpg and maybe acceleration. Can't speak to ride quality, as I have only towed with the 20s. I think they provide a decent balance between handling and comfort with proper inflation. But I'm debating moving to load range E to reduce squirm while towing. The other reason I like the 20s is they have enough sidewall to avoid curb rash.

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

So, I am really considering swapping out my stock 22" wheels for either 20" or 18" ones.

The tires I am choosing (Nitto Ridge Grapplers) are almost identical in stature whether I go with 20" or 18" based on their literature specs.

LT285/65R18: 32.56 x 11.5, 3640 @ 80, 58.33 lbs
LT33x11.5R20: 32.76 x 11.42, 2910 @ 80, 66.36 lbs

I don't do any real off-roading, but do a lot of camper towing. Which wheel size do you think would fit my use case better?

I may do the ReadyLift in the future, but for now it will sit on stock suspension. At that point, I may upgrade to larger tires depending on how it might look after the lift.

Any thoughts, ideas, or pics would be helpful. This will most likely be a winter project so I am in no real rush, but definitely want some ideas to churn around in my head.

I did 275/70/18s on mine they fit great with no rub at all but I did upgrade wheels to methods that are +18mm offset not sure what you will be running. I know another guy on here is running the 285/70/18 on his stock everything FX4 and said he wasnt rubbing at all. Couple of pictures to show you how it fills out the wheel well. I dont have level or lift on it either thats stock ccd suspension.

 

[scottdm]

I ended up switching to 20's from the stock 22's and have been pleased with the ride improvement due to the bigger sidewall. I don't have concerns about bending a rim if I hit a big pothole. I also have the CCD suspension and the combination with the 20's seems good to me.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

I am looking at Black Rhinos with a 12 offset. Therefore, they will be very similar to yours.

I like your stance. Also give me a good idea of the look since mine it white with CCD suspension, too.

You are running tires a wee bit thinner, but taller. And you said no rubbing? Even at full lock? I am sometimes at full lock backing into a campsite.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

I did 275/70/18s on mine they fit great with no rub

So, yours are a bit thinner, but taller than the ones I am considering.

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

So, yours are a bit thinner, but taller than the ones I am considering.

View attachment 38359

View attachment 38358

Correct just a bit thinner but honestly I cant tell the difference once mounted and looking at it. Compared to the photos above it looks drastic but in reality I think they are almost identical.

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

I am looking at Black Rhinos with a 12 offset. Therefore, they will be very similar to yours.

I like your stance. Also give me a good idea of the look since mine it white with CCD suspension, too.

You are running tires a wee bit thinner, but taller. And you said no rubbing? Even at full lock? I am sometimes at full lock backing into a campsite.

Yea no rubbing yet have about 1k miles on the setup even going up rough rock road with large divets to divert the water didnt make any contact.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

Yea no rubbing yet have about 1k miles on the setup even going up rough rock road with large divets to divert the water didnt make any contact.

I keep coming back and loving your setup. The main differences between ours is my stealth has far less chrome. I probably wont go white lettering, but absolutely loving the gruff that is emotes. Do you happen to have a pic with the tire at full lock?

Now, I am really antsy to get them. LOL! The 18" set up saves me $500, too ($2563 vs. $3087). Sadly, the wheels I want are on backorder.

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

I keep coming back and loving your setup. The main differences between ours is my stealth has far less chrome. I probably wont go white lettering, but absolutely loving the gruff that is emotes. Do you happen to have a pic with the tire at full lock?

Now, I am really antsy to get them. LOL! The 18" set up saves me $500, too ($2563 vs. $3087). Sadly, the wheels I want are on backorder.

Yea I can snap a few picks at full lock. I am slowly wrapping the chrome in vinyl to get more of a chrome delete figured I would take a swing at it myself vs paying $750 when the material so far has only cost me like $70.

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

I keep coming back and loving your setup. The main differences between ours is my stealth has far less chrome. I probably wont go white lettering, but absolutely loving the gruff that is emotes. Do you happen to have a pic with the tire at full lock?

Now, I am really antsy to get them. LOL! The 18" set up saves me $500, too ($2563 vs. $3087). Sadly, the wheels I want are on backorder.

Drivers side I can fit my whole hand between wheel and felt pad on the backside. Passenger side I can get a finger between the tire and the felt liner in the front of the wheel well.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

Thanks!


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[FeO2]

So, do the 22's ride harsh? Even with CCD suspension?

 

[Fozzy]

I am looking at Black Rhinos with a 12 offset. Therefore, they will be very similar to yours.

I like your stance. Also give me a good idea of the look since mine it white with CCD suspension, too.

You are running tires a wee bit thinner, but taller. And you said no rubbing? Even at full lock? I am sometimes at full lock backing into a campsite.

+12’s are a little to much if you run a taller and wider tire. +18’s seem to be the sweet spot.


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[Lou Hamilton]

+12’s are a little to much if you run a taller and wider tire. +18’s seem to be the sweet spot.


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The tires I am considering are either taller and same width or taller and narrower.

6mm is about a 1/4 inch difference.

Still waiting on my quote back to see the difference with and without a ReadyLift install.

If I can get the full package of lift kit, tires, wheels and install for less than $3000, It is almost a done deal for a winter project, maybe early spring... well, and an anticipated large commission check.


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[Fozzy]

The tires I am considering are either taller and same width or taller and narrower.

6mm is about a 1/4 inch difference.

Still waiting on my quote back to see the difference with and without a ReadyLift install.

If I can get the full package of lift kit, tires, wheels and install for less than $3000, It is almost a done deal for a winter project, maybe early spring... well, and an anticipated large commission check.


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I hope it happens. They look so much better with a bigger tire. But I will say the pics above on a +12 will be rubbing. I’d dump my +12’s if I could find a wheel I like in a +18.


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[Lou Hamilton]

I hope it happens. They look so much better with a bigger tire. But I will say the pics above on a +12 will be rubbing. I’d dump my +12’s if I could find a wheel I like in a +18.


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That’s the problem. I’m sold on this wheel that has a 12 offset.


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[dlcorbett]

So, do the 22's ride harsh? Even with CCD suspension?

Not necessarily harsh but the occasional trucklike misstep. Even the 20s on base suspension is a bit stiff at times. The smaller wheels on ccd would help mitigate those sometimes harsh impacts more though.

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

So, do the 22's ride harsh? Even with CCD suspension?

I had the 22s and honestly even with the 18s there isnt much of a difference but that might just be from running a load E tire so probably just as stiff of a setup but I wouldn't call either a harsh ride nothing close to what my ram 2500 rode like.

 

[Paul M]

Smaller wheel would likely provide smaller moment of inertia and improve mpg and maybe acceleration. Can't speak to ride quality, as I have only towed with the 20s. I think they provide a decent balance between handling and comfort with proper inflation. But I'm debating moving to load range E to reduce squirm while towing. The other reason I like the 20s is they have enough sidewall to avoid curb rash.

This exactly! I have the 22's and can't even look at a curb without a rash forming.