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XT Staff
/ Dec 9 2024
Do you own a Jeep? If so, you already know that it’s pretty capable off-road, straight from the factory. After all, Jeep doesn’t like to be second-best at off-roading. That’s why the majority of their contemporary models wear that hallowed Trail Rated badge. But, as with all things automotive, there’s room for further improvement. That’s where the aftermarket steps in. One of the most prudent areas for upgrade are your Jeep’s wheels. That’s what we’re going to talk about in this article.
There are many reasons as to why a wheel upgrade may be on your mind. One is, it just looks cool. You can make your Jeep stand out from the crowd with an eye-catching aftermarket wheel upgrade that factory Jeeps just don’t offer.
However, many Jeep owners don’t just upgrade their wheels for looks alone. Nope, there are other, more important reasons. They may want to fit bigger and meatier tires for even more grip and tenacity in the rough stuff. Naturally, you need upgraded wheels to do this. This is also true if you want to upsize your tires and are changing to a different rim size as a result.
But wait, there’s even more. Perhaps you’re a serious, extreme off-roader. In that case, you’ll want to upgrade for reasons of strength as well. Of course, the standard rims on a Jeep are not exactly lightweights, but if you’re really going to go bashing and bouncing around rocks, a stronger aftermarket wheel is a smart choice.
Unsure of where to start? Hit up our Wheels and Tired section and get started. We’ve got some great Wheel and Tire Kits to help. And of course, there are plenty of Accessories as well, such as spacers, tire pressure monitors, center cap designs, and more.
The bolt or lug pattern is a basic consideration that will determine whether your new wheel will fit on your Jeep’s axle or not. So, take a few moments to check your Jeep’s owner’s manual to find out what its bolt or lug pattern is. The bolt or lug pattern consists of the number of lugs on the axle, as well as their spacing. Another term for this is called Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD). Our research shows that most typical Jeep models come with a 5-bolt or 5-lug pattern, with a lug spacing of 4.5, 5, or 5.5 inches. This depends on the model and year of manufacture of your Jeep.
Changing bolt patterns means a change in axle. However, for really tough off-road stuff, it’s recommended to go to an extreme bolt pattern with 6 or 8 lugs and a larger lug spacing. For example, 8 bolts arranged with a lug spacing of 6.5 inches, known as 8x6.5, is one of the common types for extreme off-roaders. We aren’t going to cover that in this article.
Steel versus Aluminum is a debate that has been raging on for decades. Both materials have their merits and shortcomings. So, how do you pick? Well, steel wheels are known for their strength and durability. When subjected to a high impact, a steel wheel will bend rather than break. So, it is possible to temporarily reshape the wheel and use it to drive back home. Steel wheels also tend to have less disc thickness, so if your Jeep has short wheel lugs, a steel wheel will allow you to tighten the lug nuts to a greater degree. However, steel is prone to corrosion, especially if you live near the coast. Even a tiny scratch in the paintwork or coating can be enough to start off rusting in a steel wheel. Steel wheels are also heavier than aluminum ones, so your acceleration and fuel economy will be negatively affected.
Meanwhile, aluminum wheels are lighter, meaning that they don’t affect your acceleration and fuel economy. They also don’t rust, so every little scratch isn’t cause for concern. Plus, there are far more aluminum aftermarket wheel designs available so you’ll likely find your preferred look in aluminum. But aluminum isn’t as strong as steel, and is relatively brittle. In the event of a sudden impact, an aluminum wheel will break rather than bend. Aluminum wheels also have a higher disc thickness, so they aren’t ideal for Jeeps with short lugs, where the lug nuts can’t be fully tightened.
We’ve told you everything that you need to know, now here’s our pick of some of the top wheel brands for your Jeep.
American Racing make an excellent array of wheels for a myriad of Jeep models. They’ve got some excellent designs, in black, machined and polished finishes for you to choose.
Black Rhino is another well-known name in aftermarket off-road wheels. Their designs carry a purposeful mien, and look super cool too. While black is the predominant color (as per the name), you’ve got some more daring options too.
Fuel Wheels make an array of off-road wheels, from the cool lookers to seriously strong ones. They’ve also got some of those larger lug patterns that we talked about earlier in this article.
As the name suggests, Mamba Offroad Wheels offer some seriously slick-looking designs without compromising on ability. They’ve also got some attractive options in bronze, which is a color that can make your Jeep look even more stunning.
Whatever you may need or want for your Jeep, we’re sure to have it. You can choose from an array of high-quality components that hail from the world’s best brands, along with our top-notch customer service, and all applicable warranties. It’s that simple, really.