The 16/17/18 inch argument SHOULD be about the total wheel/tire weight as long as you do not increase the tire diameter. 24.86" is stock.
For example a typical 225/50/16 street tire on a stock (20# wheel) weighs 40#s, on average.
But if you have a 16#, 17" wheel with a 235/40/17 wheel/tire combination (at 24.4" tall) that weighs 40# or less,
Then you have a win, win, win!
Wider tire, quicker responce, more feedback, BUT the wheel has to be wide enough for said tire.
Even our stock wheels are 7.5" wide.
So check to see what YOUR 7.5" wide wheel can handle as far as tire size goes.
A 225/45/17 is only 24.97" tall, and a safe bet, especially with your 4.44s.
