Is more sidewall a positive thing??

[BigRAWesty]

Well I've been doing quite a bit of reading lately of different sized tyres and rims to match.
I'm looking at going 33's.
Now the local tyre joints have mixed opinions so I thought I'd ask here.
One said 33x10.5x15 on a 15x8 rim to get a nice balloon..
The other said 33x10.5 on new 16x7's so you don't ballon but still get a good tread length.
Currently have 15x7 sunnies.

Now I've seen multiple side walls torn out. Most recent was the father inlaws toyota. Running 33x11.5 on a 15x8 rim..
Huge ballooning and the walls are very exposed to rock faces, stumps etc..

IMO I think the better option is to go less sidewall, so 33x10.5 on a 16x7 rim so the walls stay more vertical and have less chance of rubbing..

Thoughts??


Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[Bulbous]

More sidewall is better for driving on sand since it bags out more. A heavy car like the Patrol should use LT spec tires so the sidewall is quite strong and resists bagging out - the extra sidewall helps.
I don't know about other terrain types, since we've mainly got sand here

[growler2058]

Quality tyres have side walls made for tough going. Generally we are looking for tread length over width in the sand. Mine are 33x12.5 on an 8" rim and they don't balloon out (sideways) that much
Narrower rim doesn't reduce sidewall rim height does. You get more sidewall height with a 15" rim and a 33" tyre than a 16" run with a 33" tyre

[BigRAWesty]

That's what I've read everywhere to. Length over width..
So a 33x10.5 tyre on a 16x7 rim would be a better option..

Also being an older car you do have to give it a little.. So which would be more resistant to popping beads of rims?


Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[BearGUST]

7" rim would be good, a narrower rim holds the the tyre better to resist popping the bead.

[macca86]

Beads won't pop untill you're driving in the 10 - 15 psi range. I've just got 285/75/16 on my truck but used 16's as I have a gu. I really doubt there's much difference its only 25mm overall difference in side wall with 12mm extra exposed. Sound like suggestive selling for new rims.

[BigRAWesty]

Well the bloke is trying to sell me 32x10.5 and new 15x8 rims..
IMO that is a waste of time..


Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[growler2058]

Sounds fine mate but I'd still go 12.5

[nissannewby]

I run 35x10.5x15 on a 8 inch rim with no worries at all. I have dramas with beads going below 15psi but also had same dramas going below 15psi on a 12.5 wide tyre. Anything larger than a 31x10.5 I would be going to a 8 inch rim.

[taslucas]

Sounds fine mate but I'd still go 12.5

Yep x 2, I reckon 33"x12.5" tyre on a 15"x8" rim works great for me.

Tap, crackle, pop

[threedogs]

X 2 on both above as you have to air down anyway which will bag tyre even more, 33x12.5x15 aired down great combo'
or 285x75x16 aired down both on 8" rims great combo, 99% of off roaders can't be that wrong

[BigRAWesty]

Yea I don't wanna go any wider than 10.5's though.. So 7"rims. But yea.. Would I be better going 16" rims and 33's, or keep the 15's?


Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[growler2058]

15's......

[Winnie]

Keep the 15s for sure.
I run 33x10.5x15s and have popped a bead but it happens to everyone.

[BigRAWesty]

Well it turns out my tires may be stuffed... :)
Both rears are leaking at the bead...


Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[threedogs]

Slightly spongier ride on 15". not sure why you want to stick to 7" but each to their own. got 5 x 15" x 8" here I was going to sandblast and powder coat but ,got bad attack of the lazys

[johno90]

Also note, decent offroad tyres have tread on the sidewall, great for rock work but the extra rubber is a good protection when running them real low. Ive got 35X12.5X15 on a 15X10 rim and realistically the rims to wide but its the perfect offset for what i wanted and ive never popped a bead off them yet.

[nissannewby]

Thats the other thing too, the offset on a 7" rim isnt great and running larger diameter tyres may see you scrubbing in places.

[BigRAWesty]

As I mentioned I have 15x7's.. So if I can keep with them it's an extra $300 I don't have to find, or put to better tyres..


Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories (http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?15134-Westy-s-Accessories.-A-small-back-yard-builder.)

[mudski]

Keep the 15s for sure.
I run 33x10.5x15s and have popped a bead but it happens to everyone.
Speak for yourself winnie. O.h wait!