Hey all. I posted in the newbie spot, but now I have something to talk about!

I just picked up my new '08 4X2 yesterday, and have driven it a little over 140 miles. I like it. A lot.

I also own an '01 Cherokee Sport 4X4 though, and it handles much, much, better. Very nimble and responsive. The Patriot drives much more like a station wagon, but that's pretty much what I bought it for, so I'm not upset at all.

Here's my thought:

First impressions suggest to me that the Patriot could benefit from wider rubber. I think it would improve handling greatly. If the bolt spread is the same as my Cherokee, I plan on swapping rims for a day, and seeing how much difference it makes in cornering/curve handling.

Has anybody here put wider rims/rubber on? Just looking at it, I'm thinking I could go 16X8 without any trouble. Thoughts??


G.S. Harper

you can use the 16X8 Moabs from a Rubicon. down side is that you'll lose some MPG's with the wider tread. depending on the specs of the tire you chose, be aware of the backspacing/offset difference between your OEM Pat wheels and the Moabs or anything else for that matter.

Hi Tex,

I'm currently rolling on 18x8, no rubbing at all! And las winter, I had 225-60-16 winter tires and rims that came from my Impala and once again, fits like a charm... Just in case it might answer your question!

Later,

Lewis

Glad to hear you're n'joyin' your Pat 'Jeepasaurus Tex' -- welcome from Alberta, Canada. I went w/the urban look w/my 4X2 w/19X8" rims. The tires I'm running have about an 8" tread width w/no rubbing issues. The Pat's wheel well openings are surprisingly large, almost identical to my buddy's 96' Grand Cherokee. Yes, I found the Pat's cornering characteristics noticeably enhanced w/the combination of the shorter sidewall and wider tread -- although my original motivations were purely cosmetic.

BTW, 'J/T', I hope you won't mind, but I went onto a link via your profile and discovered some great music! You're a true, authentic talent (but you know that already!) and continued success in your endeavours.

Glad to hear you're n'joyin' your Pat 'Jeepasaurus Tex' -- welcome from Alberta, Canada. I went w/the urban look w/my 4X2 w/19X8" rims. The tires I'm running have about an 8" tread width w/no rubbing issues. The Pat's wheel well openings are surprisingly large, almost identical to my buddy's 96' Grand Cherokee. Yes, I found the Pat's cornering characteristics noticeably enhanced w/the combination of the shorter sidewall and wider tread -- although my original motivations were purely cosmetic.

BTW, 'J/T', I hope you won't mind, but I went onto a link via your profile and discovered some great music! You're a true, authentic talent (but you know that already!) and continued success in your endeavours.

Thanks for all of the info, and for the kind words about my tunes.

I would like to improve the road handling, but not sure if I really want to scrifice mileage. Looks are a secondary concern for me, I am much more concerned with funcionality. I may try to find a happy medium though... Maybe a seven inch width would give enough improvement to make me happy, without sacrificing too many MPG's.

I'm not to cast off perfectly good tires though, so I'll probably wait until it needs new shoes to replace anything.


Thanks again,
G.S. Harper

I drove a 5-speed and thought it handled very well on a winding country road. I was very impressed. Enough to order one.

Hi Tex,

I'm currently rolling on 18x8, no rubbing at all! And las winter, I had 225-60-16 winter tires and rims that came from my Impala and once again, fits like a charm... Just in case it might answer your question!

Later,

Lewis

really???? of course i'm not positive as to what YEAR Impala you have, but an 05 for instance has a 5-115mm bolt pattern and the MK's have a 5-114mm one. yea, you might get them to 'fit' but will they work for an extended period of time? NO! you'll end up putting added stress on your wheel studs and lug nuts, either causing your studs to SNAP OFF or the lug nuts to loosen, either way causing you to LOSE A WHEEL! :doh:

just stay with the right size bolt pattern......5-114mm and all will be well! :smiley_thumbs_up:

Jeepasaurus, did you get yours with the 16" steelies or the 17" mags? I have the 17" on mine and I think it handles great (considering what it is). I remember test driving the 16"ers though and it was a tad rolly in the corners. I've seen guys selling the OEM 17's, might be worth looking into (and you can always go test drive one at the dealer with the 17's on it for a comparison).

Jeepasaurus, did you get yours with the 16" steelies or the 17" mags? I have the 17" on mine and I think it handles great (considering what it is). I remember test driving the 16"ers though and it was a tad rolly in the corners. I've seen guys selling the OEM 17's, might be worth looking into (and you can always go test drive one at the dealer with the 17's on it for a comparison).

Mine has the 16" steelies. I basically just needed a rolling box to haul my gear and my guys in, so that's what I bought. I am very happy with everything about it. truthfully, I could even live with the handling. I'm just used to driving my Cherokee still, and it's far stiffer and nimbler. I tend to drive sort of agressively in curvy situations, because it's fun. Like I said, if the bolt spread is the same, I'm going to throw the 16X8 mags from the cherokee on for a day and see how much difference it makes.

really???? of course i'm not positive as to what YEAR Impala you have, but an 05 for instance has a 5-115mm bolt pattern and the MK's have a 5-114mm one. yea, you might get them to 'fit' but will they work for an extended period of time? NO! you'll end up putting added stress on your wheel studs and lug nuts, either causing your studs to SNAP OFF or the lug nuts to loosen, either way causing you to LOSE A WHEEL! :doh:

just stay with the right size bolt pattern......5-114mm and all will be well! :smiley_thumbs_up:


Yeah, I agree with you but check this out... My Impala was an '04 with the bolt pattern you've mentionned. I gave my Impala as an exchange to the dealer and asked them to put my Impala winter tires on the Patriot wheels since they were both 16". They called me back while preparing the Jeep and told me that the Impala's wheels were fitting right in place on the Pat. I doubted but I was expecting that those guy's knew what they were doing so I had my Impala's wheels on my Pat last winter and I didn't lose any... But again... I agree with you and I'll be rolling on Jeep stock tires next winter as they did a great job in snow when I test-drive the Pat twice in snow last december. 'till then, I'm rolling on flat black 18"s!

Lewis

little rubbing but look great!!!

GOOD WRITTING, NICE WORK...!

little rubbing but look great!!!

I don't usually like that look but on your car it looks really nice. When will it rub?

I saw another guys wheel job posted yesterday, it left so much extra wheel well space, it looked like a Patriot in spaghetti strap high heel shoes. ;) He used an 18" wheel but then a tire that looked like a black rubber band around the outside.

Also, the wheel he used showed so much of the brake drum and axle mechanism that it took away from the nice clean look that yours has. Looks great!

little rubbing but look great!!!

Wow, looks great!

I wrote in my newbee intro was in reverse sticker shock when El Wifo had the Patriot brought around for a test drive. Snap judgement due to the nice profile and the 17 inch wheel stance had me at least 7 K off (sticker) due to the look of the vehicle. Whether by chance or design the wide rubber footprint on a Patriot gives the driver a magnificant feeling of stability.

on a side note i have the moabs on my 4x4 with 235-60-16, and it cured the handling flaw for me, its now more responsive , and less sidewall flex, no rubbing for me!