has anyone made a list of what stock Jeep wheels will fit on a kj? as in ones from a tj, jk, etc.? i know there are 2 different 5 lug bolt hole patterns. but I'm certain other Jeep vehicle wheels will fit. I really do not want some flashy chrome or solid black aftermarket wheels. I am basically looking for something close to home for around $75-125 for a set of wheels. I don't even care if the rim diameter is the same as long as they fit. as I would buy a new set of tires to get the dry pavement tires off my Liberty for off road / winter driving. honestly, my favorite wheels are 5 spokes from a Grand Cherokee. but i do not know if they will fit or not.
Jeep wheel interchange
- Thread starter XWrench3
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Doing10to20
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Tj wheels wheels will fit, zj 16 in will fit,basically if they have the 5x4.5 lug pattern your good..alot of guys run the 16 in moabs of tj rubicon, I personally found some 05 liberty wheels to use on my 03, I like the stock wheel look
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WK Grands do not fit, earlier years of Grands work if 16 inch
most all 15 inch Jeep wheels do not fit due to clearance issues with calipers
Moabs work if lifted , but stock KJ/KK will both work of course
most all 15 inch Jeep wheels do not fit due to clearance issues with calipers
Moabs work if lifted , but stock KJ/KK will both work of course
mercdudecbr600
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Anything with the 4.5" x 5 lug pattern and bore of 71.5mm will physically fit but not sure on the correct offset. 16" wheels from TJ wrangler rubicons are probably the best upgrade over stock. Btw, stock 16" alloy wheel weight is pretty good at 21lbs, steel wheel weight is only a pound or so away from that at 22-23. So IMO, the best upgrade over stock alloys would be the OEM steel wheels.
mercdudecbr600,
Can you explain to me how a heavier, more difficult to balance and softer wheel would be an upgrade from stock alloys?
mercdudecbr600
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Yes, steel is 'softer' than aluminum, relatively. Alum cracks offroad because it's more brittle than steel. Steel bends/flexes a bit under high impact. There's a reason why everyone goes to steel offroading.
That said, my alum OEM wheels are all bent prior to my ownership, and I have no doubt that my KJ never went offroad. To keep them balanced takes a lot of weight. So again, I'd say the OEM steelies are not a bad upgrade. You want to spend lots more on forged multi-piece alloy wheels, that's your business.
That said, my alum OEM wheels are all bent prior to my ownership, and I have no doubt that my KJ never went offroad. To keep them balanced takes a lot of weight. So again, I'd say the OEM steelies are not a bad upgrade. You want to spend lots more on forged multi-piece alloy wheels, that's your business.
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Aluminum rims took 20 tons before breaking, steel took 10 tons before catastrophic deformation.
There is a reason why just about every manufacturer puts alloy rims on their vehicles.
The kind of off-roading most KJ owners will do both steel and alloy wheels re appropriate and just depends on which look you prefer.
mercdudecbr600
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They’ve only been doing that since the mid -late 90s. Even at that time period, alloy was a sport upgrade. Biggest reason for all oem going to alloy was weight/mpg/aesthetics/braking.
That wasn’t a direct comparison either - looked like a donut spare wheel vs a normal alloy. But interesting nonetheless.
This is a more comprehensive eval and you know what, first hit with 5lb sledge (by hand) he cracks the alloy wheel in the center and only slightly dents the steel. Nuff said in my opinion.
That wasn’t a direct comparison either - looked like a donut spare wheel vs a normal alloy. But interesting nonetheless.
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This is a more comprehensive eval and you know what, first hit with 5lb sledge (by hand) he cracks the alloy wheel in the center and only slightly dents the steel. Nuff said in my opinion.
mercdudecbr600,
You have a great point, if you plan on hitting your wheels with a 5lb sledge hammer on regular basis you should have steel rims.
And yes manufacturers did get it right, less weight, better mpg, superior heat dissipation, much better looks. It's more of a personal preference and it;s definitely nostalgic to have steel rims. But in all practicality steel rims are not as strong and you will never be sitting on the side of the road or at camp with a ball peen hammering your dented rim back into shape to get that dent out.
On a side note, what are you running on your rig? Better yet, lets see a picture.
mercdudecbr600
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Ha! Ya I do bang on my wheels with hammers on the reg.
you don’t?My rig isn’t quite setup for rough 4x4 (yet) but you better believe before I do I’ll have steel wheels; or, crem de la crem forged Moab alloys. For now, I’m running bent oem alloy ones and figure, what the hell theyre already messed up.
Just as a side note. Years back I had a ford escort with 15” alloy wheels. One day as a youngin I wasn’t paying attention and clipped a curb pretty much straight on during a left hand intersection turn at about 15 mph. Wheel destroyed, though ironically didnt crack and tire lost pressure.
That is nothing compared to off-roading. That said, tire size also had a big role in the real world success or failure of a rim.
Anyways, as the hipsters say, you do you. I’ll be getting steelies and carrying a sledge hammer just in case I’ve gotta bend things back into shape.
mercdudecbr600
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Btw, Dodge Nitro wheels will also fit the KJ/KK. No idea they're weight/offset though, but they do have pretty cool looking 16" steel wheels.
It was mentioned above in passing but it's a great point that rubber sidewall height on the tire plays a big role in whether a rim gets damaged from an unexpected impact. Those low profile rubber band tires have hardy any give when you hit a major bump. That's why 16's and 17 inch rims are better for off road than 18's and larger. Plus you can air down better for more traction with taller sidewalls.
There were some 18 and 19" KK rims that I wouldn't recommend, and there were even 20+ inch rims on the KK Jet package and on some of the Nitros. While they will technically work, they would be for the street only. I think that's why any fancy KK's with 18" or larger rims didn't get a trail rated badge.
There were some 18 and 19" KK rims that I wouldn't recommend, and there were even 20+ inch rims on the KK Jet package and on some of the Nitros. While they will technically work, they would be for the street only. I think that's why any fancy KK's with 18" or larger rims didn't get a trail rated badge.
^^^^^ yes
mercdudecbr600
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Uh huh... but the Nitro's wheels mentioned were 16" steel wheels, which would be perfect for offroad. I have one on order to check backspacing, weight, etc. I'll keep everyone posted.
same as KJs KKs , although some are 7.5 inches wide on some of the models in alloys
backspacing is the same @ 5 inches when measured correctly
