People who love and own Jeeps know that one of the easiest, and often very cost effective, ways to upgrade the look of their vehicles is to add a new set of Jeep Wheels. For the most part this upgrade is for esthetic purposes, but new wheels also means the opportunity to change the type of tires you use as well.
When looking for Jeep Wrangler wheels or Jeep Cherokee wheels you always want to start with a reputable on-line source. A good on-line website to buy your wheels will give you all the specifics you need to make the best decision for your personal needs.
It is also essential that you understand exactly what type of lug nut configuration you have on Jeep you are trying to dress up with new rims. If you own a Jeep Wrangler made between 1980 and 2006 you will want to make sure you get a wheel with a lug pattern that has 5 lugs with 4.5. of spacing. If you own a Wrangler that was manufactured between 2007 and now you will need to get a lug patter that has 5 studs spread out by 5..
If you are shopping for new Jeep Cherokee wheels for vehicles made between 1993 and 1998 you will need a 5 stud configuration with a spread of 4.5.. Cherokees made after 1999 will 5 studs with a spread of 5..
Once you have figured out the configuration that will fit your Jeep you will then want to start thinking about the material of the rims for your Jeep. Most of your options for Jeep rims will be made out of steel or aluminum. Both materials are great and choosing the right one will depend on how you use your vehicle.
When it comes to strength; either option is a good choice, but aluminum alloy wheels tend to be a little harder than steel wheels because they are manufactured as one large piece while steel are made with a center that is stamped and then mounted to the rest of the wheel.
Another difference between the two materials for Jeep wheels is the overall weight. Aluminum wheels are lighter which makes them a good choice if you take your Jeep out trail rides. They are also less likely to bend when pushed to the limit. Steel wheels are great if you like the look of the particular wheel and don.t take the Jeep off-road very often.
The final major difference between steel and aluminum wheels is the fact that they both deal with heat differently. Aluminum wheels tend to stay cooler over longer periods of time. The cooler overall wheel helps keep the breaks cooler than steel wheels which makes it a perfect fit if you like to take day long runs without much rest. While steel wheels again are great for the esthetic look and are good if you spend most of your time on the pavement.
It seems that there would be very little reason to ever buy steel wheels, but the truth is that steel wheels are often much less expensive then aluminum alloy wheels. Of course, if you are an avid off-roader it is probably a good idea to spend a little more and go with the aluminum Jeep wheels.
