I made the decision to be safe rather than cool looking. I took the Blazer in to the tire shop to have the front tires changed from 245/30R22 to a taller sidewall profile 265/35/R22.
The difference in cool looking rubber band is significant but the idea of damaging a rim due to a deep pothole or uneven road crack was enough for me to make the change.
My previous experiences with a “30” sidewall on a 22” wheel wasn’t pleasant. I can’t count the amount of flats and cracked rim due to potholes on the freeway.
I had the rim repaired a couple times and the last repair seems to hold well but a new crack developed on a different section. I ended up buying a brand new rim and that was an expensive fix. After that I became a believer of the 35 series sidewalls. Not as cool, but definitely safer in these fucked up freeways we have here in California.
By changing the wheel I am less apprehensive about driving over railroad tracks and potholes.