Upgrading the wheels on your Wrangler JK does more than just make you stand out or help fit larger tires. It can also help fuel economy, provide extra durability and better handling in all conditions.
But choosing the right rims for your Wrangler JK isn't as easy as picking the look you like. There are size and material differences, as well as offset and backspacing requirements. These days most Wrangler JK rims come in steel or alloy material. Steel is heavier, more durable, and is generally the choice for the off-road crowd. Alloy rims are lighter, give you increased fuel economy, and handle better so daily drivers usually choose these wheels.
If you are looking to 'upsize' your wheels to fit larger tires, know that most stock JK rims are 16-inch, but could be 17, or 18-inches depending on the JK model and the easiest way to identify is to look at your current tire's sidewall. Once you know the current rim size, you can decide if upgrading the size will be necessary. One rule of thumb, the larger the rim or tire you purchase, the more suspension clearance you need which is where lift kits come into play.
After identifying the respective wheel size, you can then check your tire's manufacturer to figure out what width works best. Most JK rim upgrades will fall into a range from 7 to 10-inch widths. Then, there are backspacing and offset variables on each rim to identify and, generally speaking, the lower those numbers, the further out the wheel will mount which helps if your vehicle plans include a lift kit and off-roading.
Rounding out JK wheel upgrades are accessory items such as valve stem caps, center cap replacements, wheel studs and rim protectors which allow you to customize you new wheels how you see fit.
For additional information on selecting new JK rims, check out our top-6 things to consider when wheel shopping.
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