Expedition Wheels

[elias]

Hi, I've just purchased a new wrangler unlimited rubicon. I don't like the stock wheels that came with the jeep. I need help purchasing new wheels. My questions:

What is the better size rim for my jeep?: 16" or 17"?
What is the better build material?: Forged aluminum or steel?

Thanks for your help.

-Elias

[MDZJ88]

Are you going to use the stock tires? In any case, I think the 16" wheel would be better (is that the stock size?) If anything a smaller size will stuff better inside the fenders.

As for the build material. I'd just go with steel if you don't care about weight. Cheaper price and sturdy.


(Don't know much about JK's. I'm just going off what I know based on my ZJ experience.)

[SeaRubi]

In terms of quality, it's tough to beat the stock wheels for weight, balancing, and durability. Steel has long been the choice for serious overland work, however, finding a hub-centric steel wheel for the JK is nearly impossible. Most of the aftermarket steel wheels are lug centric and won't balance out as nicely, which usually just means more weights on the wheel. This isn't a huge deal except the weights tend to rip off easily in rocks and roots. If you're just going for looks, there's a fine supply of aftermarket aluminum rims from myriad manufacturers. The american racing teflon coated rims are kind of neat and would be more proper for general purpose work than a beadlock or simulated-bead lock "look" style wheel.

As for wheel size you might find more tire choices in 16" diameters but, tire manufacturers seem to be rapidly adopting their popular tread patterns to the 17" sized wheels. Larger rims also equate to less sidewall exposed to the business side of whatever trail you're on.

fwiw

[Robert Bills]

First, a caveat: I'm a CJ guy and only know enough about JKs to be dangerous.

I prefer steel over aluminum for a trail rig. A bent steel rim can be straightened. Aluminum cracks. Also, steel wheels are less expensive. However, after market steel wheels may be more difficult to find for your JK.

As for 16" vs. 17", I would probably choose the wheel diameter with more choices in the tire diameter/width you will be using. I would not use 18" or greater wheel diameter on a trail rig, but that's just me.

[ntsqd]

FWIW, it can no longer be categorically stated that aluminum wheels crack in off roading. In the old days of cheaply cast aluminum wheels that was probably true. Newer casting methods result in much better wheels, and more than a few aftermarket aluminum and OE wheels are forgings.

I have seen newer cast aluminum wheels withstand some horrific abuse and not crack. I have seen the studs sheared off the axle, and the cast aluminum wheel was put back on once new studs were installed. That wheel is still in rotation on the race truck. Though probably not strong enough for a JK, Centerline type spun aluminum wheels are favored on lighter off road race buggies because they can be straightened.

Unless you buy some of the very light steel racing wheels, the improvement in ride quality of an aluminum wheel is very noticeable over steel wheels.

Comes down to how are you going to use the vehicle?
Rock crawling? Steel, no doubt in my mind.
Extreme Overlanding with a heavily loaded vehicle? Again, steel.
Occasional Overlanding with some mixed use or long sections of pavement in the mix? Aluminum, no question.
Daily Driver in addition to what ever other uses? Aluminum, no contest.

[elias]

Thanks for all the input so quickly.

The wheels I am deciding between:


This one is steel, 32 lbs., and hub centric.

The other one:

This one is rotary forged aluminum, hub centric, 22lbs for 16", 26lbs for 17".

Thanks

[Overdrive]

Hi elias, and welcome to ExPo!

The steel wheels in the above pic get my vote!!! They truly scream "expedition"!!

Good luck with your build!
Scott

[elias]

Thanks Scott,

I've been looking at those steel wheels for a long time. They are the most similar to what I had on my NAS Defender 110. The big disadvantage is they are 10lbs heavier. Besides that, I also like them better.

If I get the others, I will powdercoat them white as well. I am not looking for bling.

Thanks again for the welcome, I've been reading around this forum for months.

[DaveInDenver]

Unless you buy some of the very light steel racing wheels, the improvement in ride quality of an aluminum wheel is very noticeable over steel wheels.

Comes down to how are you going to use the vehicle?
Rock crawling? Steel, no doubt in my mind.
Extreme Overlanding with a heavily loaded vehicle? Again, steel.
Occasional Overlanding with some mixed use or long sections of pavement in the mix? Aluminum, no question.
Daily Driver in addition to what ever other uses? Aluminum, no contest.

These points are extremely valid. BTW, this subject comes up often, so a search of the archives would be in order.

Something to mention is that ride quality in my experience is hand's down in favor of alloy.

I have always been a steel is real guy, mostly because I've bashed steel rim lips straight on the trail and driven home. But my current wheels are American Racing Outlaw II and they have little broken pieces of rim lip. I've had to replace one so far (they are about 5 years old). Personally I think there's some truth to the steel/alloy argument, but it's not black and white. I get a noticeably better ride with alloy and some better alloy wheels are extremely rugged.

ntsqd's lay out is about right and obviously the gray area is where the steel and alloy switch over happens. I think for North American overland touring that the argument for steel wheels falls a bit short, since we have a whole lot of pavement and improved dirt roads. Unless you are using your truck for significant amounts of difficult trail with rocks, then I don't think the stronger points of steel wheels really work out over the easier balance and better ride of alloys. I have 33x10.50 BFG MTs at the moment and on 15x7 Outlaw II they only needed a few stick-on weights on the inside surface of the wheels. I don't have any rim-mounted weights to get torn off on my wheels. There is no way they could do that with steel wheels.

IOW, if you use the steel is more rugged argument here (absent consistent hard core trail use), you are designing for the 1-in-200 chance that a steel wheel might be the better choice at the expense of the other 99.5% of the time that an alloy wheel is smoother, accelerates better, increases fuel economy and increases the life of your tires by being better balanced. I'm convinced that for what I do with my truck (which unfortunately is a lot of daily commuting) that alloy wheels make sense.

[Overdrive]

I've been looking at those steel wheels for a long time. They are the most similar to what I had on my NAS Defender 110.

How funny! The first thing that came to mind when I saw those steel wheels is "Land Rover!" But I didn't want to say that to a Jeep guy...

Thanks again for the welcome, I've been reading around this forum for months.

It's highly addictive...I'm waiting for the moment my boss comes to me and says, "We've done some research on your internet usage, and...."

When you can, be sure to go into the "Regional ExPo Chapters" forum/sub-forum and post up a Hello.

Scott