After countless hours of research (speacial thanks to Ernie from Avon Custom Wheels) the end result isn't good. 18" will not fit on our Jeep SRT-8. The corner of the front Brembo's will hit the 18's, we'll have to go with 19's if not 20's. I knew that 20's would work however I also know from previous experience that 18's work much better in ice/slush and snow.

Now I'm back to square one. :confused:

I may have to go with adapters, stay tuned.

they are awd... i say a 20 with snow tires would be fine... thats usually what i do for customers with 22's or 24's for the sumer wheels

I can't settle for "fine". I drive 500 miles a week and leave before plows hit the streets in the morning. Combine that with the ice and slush of the north east.
From past experience 18" is the way to go. I need this Jeep to be the best it can be in the snow. Also, the rock salt and curbs will not be great on my stock 20" wheels. Also, it's a pain in the ass to swap out the tires on the wheels twice a year, year after year.

I've checked with most of the canadian suppliers with the same results. I'm now looking for 19" rims to fit likely paired with the pirelli's ... never expected to have issues finding snows for a jeep - c'est la vie

I can't settle for "fine". I drive 500 miles a week and leave before plows hit the streets in the morning. Combine that with the ice and slush of the north east.
From past experience 18" is the way to go. I need this Jeep to be the best it can be in the snow. Also, the rock salt and curbs will not be great on my stock 20" wheels. Also, it's a pain in the ass to swap out the tires on the wheels twice a year, year after year.


Trainer - I say you just pick yourself up a nice winter beater, like a mid 90's Wrangler or Cherokee for when it snows. It doesn't snow everyday here in the Northeast, and usually when it does, it's only a few inches and AWD will do the trick.

Yeah, every now and then we get a nice Nor'Easter that dumps two feet of snow in 24 hours, but that happens maybe once or twice a year at best, and you really shouldn't be driving any vehicl in that kind of storm, unless you are emergency personnel. ;)

Now, if you live in the snow belts of western NY, that's a whole other story. :eek:

Anyhow, wish you luck on your search, keep us posted. I'd be curious to see what type of wheels you find.

Guess I won't be selling the 5.9 then...

Soo Bummed,I can't beleive a set of 18's won't fit on the jeep :mad: Do you know if 19's will fit for sure?

I haven't test fitted them however the measurements lean towards the 19".

I'm taking my Jeep over to Discount Tires to have my tires siped. At least I'll have that little bit of protection until somebody finds some good tires for winter.

Im most concerned about our $1000 a piece wheels. I don't want a 20" snow tire, I want an 18" wheel and snow tire. :(

Actually, they are just shy of $1300 a piece. They only way 18" will fit is if you change your front brakes. We are 3/4 of an inch short..

i'm pretty sure the winter won't hurt these rims.. i can understand if ur worried about winter performance but the rims should be fine

I'm not "as" concerned with rock salt as I am from hitting curbs when parking that are burried and hidden from the snow - I'm not going to take a chance with $1300 rims..:eek:

Actually, they are just shy of $1300 a piece. They only way 18" will fit is if you change your front brakes. We are 3/4 of an inch short..

Well, that's better than my deficit in other areas.:o

Are you kidding me,$1,300 per wheel????That is F#*KING Insaine!!! What the hell are they made out of gold?I just can not fathom that they are that expenisve.Crazy!

If anyone finds a good Wheel snow tire combo for this winter please let me know.I would love to put 18's on it but it looks like that is not possible with the size brake's we are running,so I am assumeing that the wheel is going to be a 19.

i'm pretty sure the winter won't hurt these rims.. i can understand if ur worried about winter performance but the rims should be fine
concerned more about hitting curbs, the weather effect on the rims can be negated with care

maybe if theres a cheapy 19" that looks good (are blizzaks available for 19" in the size we would need?) ill go that route but at this point in time im just going to keep my old jeep for the winter

too bad :(

No cheapy 19's..

Trainer - I say you just pick yourself up a nice winter beater, like a mid 90's Wrangler or Cherokee for when it snows. It doesn't snow everyday here in the Northeast, and usually when it does, it's only a few inches and AWD will do the trick.

Yeah, every now and then we get a nice Nor'Easter that dumps two feet of snow in 24 hours, but that happens maybe once or twice a year at best, and you really shouldn't be driving any vehicl in that kind of storm, unless you are emergency personnel. ;)

Now, if you live in the snow belts of western NY, that's a whole other story. :eek:

Anyhow, wish you luck on your search, keep us posted. I'd be curious to see what type of wheels you find.

The whole reason i bought this car was for i would have a car to drive when the weather was bad like snow and ice. Otherwise i drive my C6 vette.

I had no problems in the snow and ice with my tires after they were Siped (discount tires or americas tires).
Keep the tank mostly full, put a couple hundred pounds of weight in the back (sand bags/salt bags) and make sure your insurance is good.

The only down side I would have with real winter tires on my Jeep is that I have the tendency to forget that I'm driving with them under normal dry weather conditions and like I did in my last vehicle, spun it out of control because the rubber didn't stick to the asphalt as much as I was used to. It would be cool if there was a winter driving button that would keep traction control going and limit our tendancies to wot, etc.

Problem with the idea of 18 or 19s is even most 20s will not clear the breaks. I put Pirelli 275/40R20 Ice & Snows all the way around on stock wheels. Not perfect but works well in snow an ice so much better than the Goodyears. After getting the runflats off I don't think they will go back. I am going to work out a spare as the ride is so improved with normal tires. No more feeling that you have been beaten up if the road is not glass smooth after a few miles. If some one does find a smaller wheel I will be first to say it is a better snow an ice solution, but till then I have solve the the problem for myself till then.