Good video, the first answer to this question, based on science. Only shortcoming, no real life evaluation, with data on the field. But convincing anyways.
A 245 is wider but a 235 is not necessarily shorter. A 235/70/17 is about the same diameter as a 245/65/17.
I have noticed in my Big Bend that with 245/65/17 the lack of power makes the transmission suffer and heats faster making the system to fail and go on limp mode. I will try lighter tires with gravel grip. What thoughts you have ?
You might want to look at the Goodyear wrangler workhorse 235/70/17 it is 33 lbs and the true diameter is exactly 30 inch . I have been running them on my first edition for about 5 months now , great ride with no power loss and no difference than my stock 235/65/17 .
I have 235/70/17 on my First Edition badlands now for 10 months, no issues at all , mine are a true 30 inch and that is a hand measuring. I have Goodyear wrangler workhorse, they would be .a 1/2 inch taller than a 245/65/17 depending on the manufacturer. Lock to lock and compressed . No rub at all , is it close, yes . Check out my pictures. Last picture is a test 2025 bronco sport , look closely they are Goodyear 30 inch / 235/ 70/17 . Looks good and rides perfect. A 245/70/17 Goodyear wrangler workhorse is 30.6 inch true measure We installed it on my bs and it definitely rubbed the felt liners in the front at the left and right.
I just put 245/70/17 BFG KO2s on my stock Big Bend. I haven’t noticed any rubbing. 1.5L turns them just fine. I’m sure they would rub when off roading but this car is strictly highway use. I’ll throw on a small spring lift in the future.
@Jrl is the expert on that tire size, see his post. Otherwise, just know that lifting the BS does not change the issue with tire rub. You would have to lift the BS somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-6” before it would help with rubbing.
In the 1930’s-40’s, those were wide tires! Now, pretty much every vehicle on the road has wider tires. Beyond that, there are times when narrow tires are better than wider tires (mud and slushy snow come to mind).The original "pizza cutter tires" on a off-road vehicle? Now I'm curious about the Mil-Spec documents and the thinking behind the design and selection.
If my father was still alive, he would gladly tell you. He was a tank driver during the war and VA day, there wasn't much need for tank drivers and even before that after they crossed the Rhine, he drove the scouts up to the forward positions in a Jeep. After VA day, they liberated Czechoslovakia and he would ferry mucky-muckd from Prague to Paris up to the winter of 46 when he finally got discharged. He would never let me have a Jeep while I still lived at home because of how easily they would tip over. He had some scary stories to tell of his Jeep adventures.
