Rim diameter question

Correct. The sidewalls - and more accurately, the shoulder of the tread - is a very important traction aid when the tires are aired-down. But, when the tires are aired down, the rim can be exposed to more damage if the sidewalls are smaller.

Again, correct. The smaller sidewalls have less flex, therefore they provide a more sure footed driving experience on the highway.

I have to do some research on this one, but my knee-jerk response is that you are wrong on this point. The metric size that comes on the Rubi can be translated into a 31x9.50 or 31x10.50 (I forget which). But, I am almost 99% positive that you can get a 32" ~ 35" on a 16" rim.

I am not sure this is true. Given the explanation that I used, I would lean towards the 15" as the better choice. I happen to think that the Rubi has other features that make the 16" tires an "acceptable risk."

I don't think this is true at all. 15" rims have been around for decades,

This is a good question, one that I have asked myself. I think that in the grand scheme of things, the manufacturer has to be concerned with liability issues relative to tall tires. I suppose they can mitigate some of those issues with a larger rim. I really don't think the manufacturers set out to build the extreme rock crawlers that we so enjoy. They look at what we do, and try to blend the needs of highway safety with the desire for extreme offroading, and the 16" tires on the Rubi are a happy medium where these two worlds meet.

I would consider using 16" wheels if needed to provide clearance for larger calipers - don't know if that has anything to do with the reason the rubi has them....

The Rubi can run 15" or 16" wheels, it uses 16" (probably) due to larger wheels being more stylish right now.

Jerry

beliefs/"facts":

I don't think the Rubi gets larger brakes than the other TJ models though. It gets discs on all four corners, but they are the same discs that the other TJs get.

beliefs/"facts":

Correct

snip

interesting picture...excuse me while I throw up............ahh - that's better

Since you like to collect the odd pic now and then, I think you'll enjoy this:

so much for that theory...............