Performance Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels: Which Ones Are Right for You?

There is no better way to transform your rig into a head-turning, eye-catching, style-packing rock star than with a sparkling set of custom truck wheels or Jeep wheels. But contrary to what you might believe, while they may be the most stylized of all truck and Jeep parts, wheels aren't all about adding glitz and shine. In fact, choosing wheels deserves lengthy consideration, as the right set of wheels can provide additional performance benefits that make buying them not just a stylistic decision, but a smart one as well. Particularly with regard to off-road oriented Jeeps, choosing the optimum set of Jeep wheels can be as important an item to consider as many other Jeep parts.

Factors to be Wary of When Choosing Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels:

When choosing a set of truck or Jeep wheels, the first recognition that one needs to make is just how vital they are to a vehicle. The type of wheels chosen can have a direct, significant impact upon ride quality, handling, and safety, and oftentimes prove to be just as crucial as many other essential truck and Jeep parts. Moreover, picking the right wheels and taking proper care of them are crucial factors in maintaining optimum performance, and of course, keeping up that slick look. It is important to remember that wheels are providing stability for an entire vehicle. They are directly connected to the axle, brakes, and suspension system. Should a single wheel falter, this could be disastrous for other components in your vehicle.

Corrosion:

Ideally, when it comes to having polished, shiny Jeep and truck wheels, it is very important to keep them that way as much as possible. Wheel corrosion should be taken seriously, not only because of the effects on appearance, but for harmful and potentially unsafe consequences as well.

There are numerous types of corrosion that can damage or otherwise deteriorate Jeep and truck wheels. Rust can eat away at some wheel metals, causing disfiguration and stability breakage. Corroding brakes can also leak onto the wheel itself, leading to further corrosion. Additionally, brake dust that accumulates on wheels can permanently stain or tarnish certain wheel metals when combined with heat buildup during everyday driving. Finally, for the off-road enthusiasts, rocks, dirt, and sand can scratch sparkling chromes, and sometimes even become entrenched in wheels made of more porous metals, leading to further corrosion.

Granted, significant corrosion that results in considerable wheel damage is a rarity; however, this is not to suggest that regular upkeep and cleaning of your wheels can be outright neglected.

Bending/Breakage:

Bending and breakage are irregular occurrences provided that you exercise caution when driving, but this is not to suggest that they are factors to be taken lightly. Especially for off-road enthusiasts who tackle some of the toughest terrains using low air pressure crawling, wheel bending or breakage can ruin any off-road outing, as driving on one frayed truck wheel or dented Jeep wheel can damage an entire suspension system. Rough driving on bumpy roads or extended driving over potholes or speed bumps can also lead to wheel damage, particularly if air pressure is low, or if the suspension system is not sufficient.

Sizing:

Essentially, the job of the wheels on your vehicle are to work with the suspension system to keep as much of the tires in contact with the road, particularly during turns and braking. A set of quality truck wheels can mean the difference between a tire catching the road on a rainy day, or spinning out of control on a patch of pebbles on the highway. In order to ensure optimum tire contact, it is important to take truck wheel sizing into major consideration.

There are three aspects to wheel sizing that work together with the suspension design: wheel offset, aspect ratio, and tire width. Offset refers to the distance from the very center of the wheel to the mounting surface of the wheel disc at the hub. Wheel offset can be positive, negative or zero. A "0" offset means that the mounting surface of the wheel is in the center of the wheel. This measurement is very important in positioning the tire. This also allows for adequate dual spacing.

Aspect ratio is the ratio between the width of the tire and the height of its side wall. A tire specified as "205/60/15," for example, has a width of 205mm and 60% aspect ratio. The "15" refers to the size of the tire to which the wheel is fitted. Typically, tires with lower aspect ratio than what is required will wear them out easily, and ride quality will deteriorate; although, this could also result to more precision in turning. Some people consider using wider wheels to give a vehicle a racer look, but while is it true that wider wheels and tires can give a vehicle a sportier appearance, they can also ruin your driving satisfaction. This is because the weight of the vehicle would not be evenly spread over the wheel and tire width. Resistance is also increased, thus you wheels and tires could wear out fast, and gas mileage could be significantly reduced.

Wider wheels are sometimes required to adequately support larger and wider tires. This provides increased traction in a variety of different terrains such as sand and mud. Vehicles with larger wheels and tires also make less of an impact in the terrain opposed to a vehicle with narrow wheels that cuts into the terrain creating ruts and erosion.

Types of Custom Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels:
Custom truck wheels are available in three compositions and a seemingly endless number of styles. Each composition has its advantages and disadvantages, and it's a good idea to take each into consideration to help determine which type of wheel is right for you.

Steel Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels:

Steel wheels employ solid construction and heavy-duty materials to reap certain benefits. The stamped construction of steel truck wheels provides a more consistent composition that you can't get out of cast and machined alloys. The end result is that steel wheels are typically more uniform, and therefore, less prone to warping or wobbling. There are not as many styles of steel wheels to choose from, but they are typically less expensive in comparison to cast wheels. This makes steel wheels an excellent option for off-road enthusiasts who are looking for a set of truck or Jeep wheels that are durable enough to handle off-road terrain, yet inexpensive enough to easily replace in the event of wheel damage. On the downside, steel wheels are heavier than alloys, which may slightly reduce performance and decrease gas mileage.

In Brief - Advantages of Steel Wheels:

1. Heavy Duty Durability
While slightly heavier than alloy wheels, steel wheels are also more durable. Additionally, steel is more malleable than aluminum, preventing chipping or breakage due to impact.

2. Consistent Composition
The stamped construction of steel wheels helps them to be more uniform and symmetrical, increasing structural integrity and reducing the likelihood of wobbling.

3. Longevity
Steel wheels are less porous than aluminum wheels, allowing better resistance against dirt, sand, and brake depletion.

4. Value
Steel wheels are a great, inexpensive option that can take a beating when going off-road.

Forged Alloy Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels:

The ultimate in alloy wheels, aluminum forging utilizes heat and extreme pressure to create dense and strong wheels that are durable, yet still remain lightweight. Although forged aluminum wheels are slightly more expensive than other wheels, this is because no expense is spared with regard to tooling, development, equipment, and manufacturing, and the results show in the quality of these truck wheels. Aluminum alloys make the perfect culmination of lightweight composition, creative spoke design, and protection against the elements for a lasting shine. For maximum durability and the utmost reliability in an alloy wheel, forged aluminum wheels have no equal.

In Brief - Advantages of Forged Alloy Wheels:

1. Extreme Heat Forgery
Forged alloy wheels are subjected to extreme heat during the construction process, allowing the aluminum compounds to meld, creating dense and durable wheels.

2. Lightweight
Advanced aluminum alloy compounds are lighter than steel wheels.

3. Excellent Value
In general, forged alloy wheels tend to be slightly more expensive than their cast aluminum counterparts; however, in terms of durability, weight, performance, design, and overall quality, forged alloy wheels are the best overall value, giving you the most bang for your buck.

Cast Alloy Wheels:

Through high technology and metallurgic artistry, cast-molded alloy wheels are a reliable option that provides many performance benefits for on and off road drivers. Using aluminum compounds combined with low-pressure casting, the end result is Jeep wheels and truck wheels that are lightweight and durable. The porous metal compound of cast alloy wheels helps to dissipate heat during excessive brake application, and also provides a rust-resistant, easy-to-clean shine. The malleable nature of cast alloy Jeep and truck wheels also allows more creative freedom to craft some of the most vicious designs available. On the downside, cast alloy aluminum tends to be more porous, which may lead to various forms of corrosion, but this can typically be avoided with regular cleaning and care.

In Brief - Advantages of Cast Alloy Wheels:

1. Low-Pressure Casting
Cast alloy wheels employ low-pressure casting techniques for increased malleability. This allows alloys to be more flexible, therefore granting manufacturers a certain level of metallurgic creativity.

2. Porous Metal Compound
The aluminum alloy of cast wheels is more porous, which allows better airflow through the wheels to help cool down heated brakes.

3. Rust-Resistant Shine
Cast aluminum alloy wheels are rust-resistant, easy to clean, and produce a consistent, long-lasting shine.

Don't Forget the Lug Nuts:

They may be small, but lug nuts are crucial truck and Jeep parts that many people overlook when upgrading to custom wheels. The impact of lug nuts on wheel safety, security and durability just may surprise you. Here are some reasons why when upgrading to custom wheels, new lug nuts are near-essential truck and Jeep parts that ensure the utmost performance:

Style:

Lug nuts are the essential cherry-on-top that style enthusiasts are quick to overlook. Attention to detail is important when it comes to the appearance of your vehicle, and nothing complements a new set of wheels and tires like custom lug nuts. OEM lug nuts are bland, and can appear glaringly dull in contrast to the polished shine of new wheels. Particularly on aging stock wheels, the lug nuts may be significantly worn or warped, or the grooves may be stripped. Chrome and alloy lug nuts are quite commonplace and many styles are available to go with any wheels and tires.

General Maintenance:

Whether you're the weekend off-road enthusiast who alternates tires frequently, or even the everyday driver who's prompt with tire rotations, lug nuts can corrode and wear out over time, which can affect the performance of your vehicle more than you think. Loose, frayed lugs can result in instability, or rusted lugs might be irremovable in case of a flat. Lug nuts are in close association with the brakes and wheels, and corroding lug nuts may aversely affect your brake system, or damage chrome wheels.

Security:

Nothing ruins having a set of gleaming new wheels or hot new tires than losing them the next day. Unfortunately, theft of your wheels and tires is as easy for thieves as changing a few spares. For this reason, lockable lug nuts can provide just enough added security to prevent you from becoming a victim. Heavy duty locking mechanisms make lug nuts difficult to remove, which can be the difference between a thief disregarding your vehicle and instead going after a far less painstaking vehicle without wheel locks. Spline drive lug nuts are also beneficial for added security, as they require a special tool to remove them (typically included in a set of spline drive lug nuts).

Lughole Sizing:

Lughole sizing can be a tricky endeavor if you're not sure how to do it properly. All tire and wheel shops have a special tool that they can place over the rim holes that tell them the pattern. Since this tool costs over $20 and you won't use it very often, you can check you own hole pattern if you have a simple tape measure.

Most lug holes are 1/2", 9/16" or 5/8". Most trucks and SUVs of 1/2 ton size or less will come with the half-inch size. If you're upgrading to a slightly larger tire size, chances are that the stock lug studs will handle the job nicely. However, if you're going to some really big tires, you might have to upgrade the stud size to handle the increased loads. Check with the after market wheel and tire manufacturer for their recommendations.

When measuring, be sure that your tape is located dead center on the hole (or on one edge with the five-hole pattern) for accuracy. It's very hard to tell small differences, but 1/4 inch can make a big difference. For example, the largest rim size you can get with a 5-on-4 and 1/4" wheel pattern is a 14 inch rim. But there are numerous 15 inch rims available in 5-on-4 and 1/2" patterns, so you can see how critical an accurate measurement is.

If the rim is still on the vehicle, it's often hard to get that accurate measurement. One simple trick is to take a sheet of paper and press it down firmly on the studs you need to measure then measure the marks on the paper.

Another trick is to take some stiff wire - a coat hanger will do fine - and bend the wire into a wide "U" shape, using the ends of them to act like calipers.

The very best method is to actually take the wheels off the vehicle, lay them flat on the ground, and measure the holes carefully, while looking straight down.

As long as you're removing lug nuts and swapping wheels, you might as well tighten the nuts properly. On a typical car or truck, 80-90 lb/ft is normal for torque, but you should refer to your owner's manual for their recommendations.

The studs and lug nuts should be clean and free of rust, and should be lubricated with a light spray. Ideally, use a torque wrench when tightening the lug nuts, unless you have a highly educated elbow. Always tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern. Tighten all the nuts down about halfway, then to maximum torque in the pattern. After all of the nuts are checked, drive the vehicle a short distance and re-check the torque. While few people go through all this trouble just to swap wheels, it is the pro correct method.

In Summation:

While the stylistic aspect of purchasing new Jeep or truck wheels is often the primary consideration, it's important to not overlook factors pertaining to performance. One should be wary of paying proper attention to upkeep and selection before choosing a set of wheels, as the wrong decision can significantly affect your vehicle as well as your safety. Knowing the differences between steel, forged, and cast wheels, as well as correct procedures for sizing, maintenance, and mounting are all crucial factors in getting the most out of your truck and Jeep wheels.