| Contrary to what you might believe, while they | | | | pressure to create dense and strong wheels that |
| may be the most stylized of all truck and Jeep | | | | are durable, yet still remain lightweight. Although |
| parts, wheels aren't all about adding glitz and shine. | | | | forged aluminum wheels are slightly more |
| In fact, choosing wheels deserves lengthy | | | | expensive than other wheels, this is because no |
| consideration, as the right set of wheels can | | | | expense is spared with regard to tooling, |
| provide additional performance benefits that make | | | | development, equipment, and manufacturing, and |
| buying them not just a stylistic decision, but a | | | | the results show in the quality of these truck |
| smart one as well. Particularly with regard to | | | | wheels. Aluminum alloys make the perfect |
| off-road oriented Jeeps, choosing the optimum | | | | culmination of lightweight composition, creative |
| set of Jeep wheels can be as important an item | | | | spoke design, and protection against the elements |
| to consider as many other Jeep parts. | | | | for a lasting shine. For maximum durability and |
| Factors to be Wary of When Choosing Truck | | | | reliability in an alloy wheel, forged aluminum wheels |
| Wheels and Jeep Wheels: | | | | have no equal. |
| When choosing a set of truck or Jeep wheels, the | | | | In Brief - Advantages of Forged Alloy Wheels: |
| first recognition that one needs to make is just | | | | Extreme Heat ForgeryForged alloy wheels are |
| how vital they are to a vehicle. The type of | | | | subjected to extreme heat during the |
| wheels chosen can have a direct, significant | | | | construction process, allowing the aluminum |
| impact upon ride quality, handling, and safety, and | | | | compounds to meld, creating dense and durable |
| oftentimes prove to be just as crucial as many | | | | wheels. |
| other essential truck and Jeep parts. Moreover, | | | | Lightweight |
| picking the right wheels and taking proper care of | | | | Advanced aluminum alloy compounds are lighter |
| them are crucial factors in maintaining optimum | | | | than steel wheels. |
| performance, and of course, keeping up that slick | | | | Excellent Value |
| look. It is important to remember that wheels are | | | | In general, forged alloy wheels tend to be slightly |
| providing stability for an entire vehicle. They are | | | | more expensive than their cast aluminum |
| directly connected to the axle, brakes, and | | | | counterparts; however, in terms of durability, |
| suspension system. Should a single wheel falter, | | | | weight, performance, design, and overall quality, |
| this could be disastrous for other components in | | | | forged alloy wheels are the best overall value, |
| your vehicle. | | | | giving you the most bang for your buck. |
| Corrosion: | | | | Cast Alloy Wheels: |
| Ideally, when it comes to having polished, shiny | | | | Cast-molded alloy wheels are a reliable option that |
| Jeep and truck wheels, it is very important to | | | | provides many performance benefits for on and |
| keep them that way as much as possible. Wheel | | | | off road drivers. Using aluminum compounds |
| corrosion should be taken seriously, not only | | | | combined with low-pressure casting, the end |
| because of the effects on appearance, but for | | | | result is Jeep wheels and truck wheels that are |
| harmful and potentially unsafe consequences as | | | | lightweight and durable. The porous metal |
| well. | | | | compound of cast alloy wheels helps to dissipate |
| There are numerous types of corrosion that can | | | | heat during excessive brake application, and also |
| damage or otherwise deteriorate Jeep and truck | | | | provides a rust-resistant, easy-to-clean shine. The |
| wheels. Rust can eat away at some wheel | | | | malleable nature of cast alloy Jeep and truck |
| metals, causing disfiguration and stability breakage. | | | | wheels also allows more creative freedom to |
| Corroding brakes can also leak onto the wheel | | | | craft some of the most vicious designs available. |
| itself, leading to further corrosion. Additionally, | | | | On the downside, cast alloy aluminum tends to be |
| brake dust that accumulates on wheels can | | | | more porous, which may lead to various forms of |
| permanently stain or tarnish certain wheel metals | | | | corrosion, but this can typically be avoided with |
| when combined with heat buildup during everyday | | | | regular cleaning and care. |
| driving. Finally, for the off-road enthusiasts, rocks, | | | | In Brief - Advantages of Cast Alloy Wheels: |
| dirt, and sand can scratch sparkling chromes, and | | | | Low-Pressure CastingCast alloy wheels employ |
| sometimes even become entrenched in wheels | | | | low-pressure casting techniques for increased |
| made of more porous metals, leading to further | | | | malleability. This allows alloys to be more flexible, |
| corrosion. | | | | therefore granting manufacturers a certain level |
| Granted, significant corrosion that results in | | | | of metallurgic creativity. |
| considerable wheel damage is a rarity; however, | | | | Porous Metal Compound |
| this is not to suggest that regular upkeep and | | | | The aluminum alloy of cast wheels is more |
| cleaning of your wheels can be outright neglected. | | | | porous, which allows better airflow through the |
| Bending/Breakage: | | | | wheels to help cool down heated brakes. |
| Bending and breakage are irregular occurrences | | | | Rust-Resistant Shine |
| provided that you exercise caution when driving, | | | | Cast aluminum alloy wheels are rust-resistant, |
| but this is not to suggest that they are factors to | | | | easy to clean, and produce a consistent, |
| be taken lightly. Especially for off-road enthusiasts | | | | long-lasting shine. |
| who tackle some of the toughest terrains using | | | | Don't Forget the Lug Nuts: |
| low air pressure crawling, wheel bending or | | | | They may be small, but lug nuts are crucial truck |
| breakage can ruin any off-road outing, as driving | | | | and Jeep parts that many people overlook when |
| on one frayed truck wheel or dented Jeep wheel | | | | upgrading to custom wheels. The impact of lug |
| can damage an entire suspension system. Rough | | | | nuts on wheel safety, security and durability just |
| driving on bumpy roads or extended driving over | | | | may surprise you. Here are some reasons why |
| potholes or speed bumps can also lead to wheel | | | | when upgrading to custom wheels, new lug nuts |
| damage, particularly if air pressure is low, or if the | | | | are near-essential truck and Jeep parts that |
| suspension system is not sufficient. | | | | ensure the utmost performance: |
| Sizing: | | | | Style: |
| Essentially, the job of the wheels on your vehicle | | | | Lug nuts are the essential cherry-on-top that |
| are to work with the suspension system to keep | | | | style enthusiasts are quick to overlook. Attention |
| as much of the tires in contact with the road, | | | | to detail is important when it comes to the |
| particularly during turns and braking. A set of | | | | appearance of your vehicle, and nothing |
| quality truck wheels can mean the difference | | | | complements a new set of wheels and tires like |
| between a tire catching the road on a rainy day, | | | | custom lug nuts. OEM lug nuts are bland, and can |
| or spinning out of control on a patch of pebbles | | | | appear glaringly dull in contrast to the polished |
| on the highway. In order to ensure optimum tire | | | | shine of new wheels. Particularly on aging stock |
| contact, it is important to take truck wheel sizing | | | | wheels, the lug nuts may be significantly worn or |
| into major consideration. | | | | warped, or the grooves may be stripped. Chrome |
| There are three aspects to wheel sizing that | | | | and alloy lug nuts are quite commonplace and |
| work together with the suspension design: wheel | | | | many styles are available to go with any wheels |
| offset, aspect ratio, and tire width. Offset refers | | | | and tires. |
| to the distance from the very center of the | | | | General Maintenance: |
| wheel to the mounting surface of the wheel disc | | | | Whether you're the weekend off-road enthusiast |
| at the hub. Wheel offset can be positive, negative | | | | who alternates tires frequently, or even the |
| or zero. A "0" offset means that the mounting | | | | everyday driver who's prompt with tire rotations, |
| surface of the wheel is in the center of the | | | | lug nuts can corrode and wear out over time. |
| wheel. This measurement is very important in | | | | Loose, frayed lugs can result in instability, or |
| positioning the tire. This also allows for adequate | | | | rusted lugs might be irremovable in case of a flat. |
| dual spacing. | | | | Lug nuts are in close association with the brakes |
| Aspect ratio is the ratio between the width of the | | | | and wheels, and corroding lug nuts may aversely |
| tire and the height of its side wall. A tire specified | | | | affect your brake system, or damage chrome |
| as "205/60/15," for example, has a width of | | | | wheels. |
| 205mm and 60% aspect ratio. The "15" refers to | | | | Security: |
| the size of the tire to which the wheel is fitted. | | | | Unfortunately, theft of your wheels and tires is as |
| Typically, tires with lower aspect ratio than what | | | | easy for thieves as changing a few spares. For |
| is required will wear them out easily, and ride | | | | this reason, lockable lug nuts can provide just |
| quality will deteriorate; although, this could also | | | | enough added security to prevent you from |
| result to more precision in turning. Some people | | | | becoming a victim. Heavy duty locking |
| consider using wider wheels to give a vehicle a | | | | mechanisms make lug nuts difficult to remove, |
| racer look, but while is it true that wider wheels | | | | which can be the difference between a thief |
| and tires can give a vehicle a sportier appearance, | | | | disregarding your vehicle and instead going after a |
| they can also ruin your driving satisfaction. This is | | | | far less painstaking vehicle without wheel locks. |
| because the weight of the vehicle would not be | | | | Spline drive lug nuts are also beneficial for added |
| evenly spread over the wheel and tire width. | | | | security, as they require a special tool to remove |
| Resistance is also increased, thus you wheels and | | | | them (typically included in a set of spline drive lug |
| tires could wear out fast, and gas mileage could | | | | nuts). |
| be significantly reduced. | | | | Lughole Sizing: |
| Wider wheels are sometimes required to | | | | Lughole sizing can be a tricky endeavor if you're |
| adequately support larger and wider tires. This | | | | not sure how to do it properly. All tire and wheel |
| provides increased traction in a variety of | | | | shops have a special tool that they can place |
| different terrains such as sand and mud. Vehicles | | | | over the rim holes that tell them the pattern. |
| with larger wheels and tires also make less of an | | | | Since this tool costs over $20 and you won't use |
| impact in the terrain opposed to a vehicle with | | | | it very often, you can check you own hole |
| narrow wheels that cuts into the terrain creating | | | | pattern if you have a simple tape measure. |
| ruts and erosion.Types of Custom Truck Wheels | | | | Most lug holes are 1/2", 9/16" or 5/8". Most |
| and Jeep Wheels: | | | | trucks and SUVs of 1/2 ton size or less will come |
| Custom truck wheels are available in three | | | | with the half-inch size. If you're upgrading to a |
| compositions and a seemingly endless number of | | | | slightly larger tire size, chances are that the stock |
| styles. Each composition has its advantages and | | | | lug studs will handle the job nicely. However, if |
| disadvantages, and it's a good idea to take each | | | | you're going to some really big tires, you might |
| into consideration to help determine which type of | | | | have to upgrade the stud size to handle the |
| wheel is right for you. | | | | increased loads. Check with the after market |
| Steel Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels: | | | | wheel and tire manufacturer for their |
| Steel wheels employ solid construction and | | | | recommendations. |
| heavy-duty materials to reap certain benefits. The | | | | When measuring, be sure that your tape is |
| stamped construction of steel truck wheels | | | | located dead center on the hole (or on one edge |
| provides a more consistent composition that you | | | | with the five-hole pattern) for accuracy. It's very |
| can't get out of cast and machined alloys. The | | | | hard to tell small differences, but 1/4 inch can |
| end result is that steel wheels are typically more | | | | make a big difference. For example, the largest |
| uniform, and therefore, less prone to warping or | | | | rim size you can get with a 5-on-4 and 1/4" |
| wobbling. There are not as many styles of steel | | | | wheel pattern is a 14 inch rim. But there are |
| wheels to choose from, but they are typically less | | | | numerous 15 inch rims available in 5-on-4 and 1/2" |
| expensive in comparison to cast wheels. This | | | | patterns, so you can see how critical an accurate |
| makes steel wheels an excellent option for | | | | measurement is. |
| off-road enthusiasts who are looking for a set of | | | | If the rim is still on the vehicle, it's often hard to |
| truck or Jeep wheels that are durable enough to | | | | get that accurate measurement. One simple trick |
| handle off-road terrain, yet inexpensive enough to | | | | is to take a sheet of paper and press it down |
| easily replace in the event of wheel damage. On | | | | firmly on the studs you need to measure then |
| the downside, steel wheels are heavier than | | | | measure the marks on the paper. |
| alloys, which may slightly reduce performance and | | | | Another trick is to take some stiff wire - a coat |
| decrease gas mileage. | | | | hanger will do fine - and bend the wire into a wide |
| In Brief - Advantages of Steel Wheels: | | | | "U" shape, using the ends of them to act like |
| Heavy Duty DurabilityWhile slightly heavier than | | | | calipers. |
| alloy wheels, steel wheels are also more durable. | | | | The very best method is to actually take the |
| Additionally, steel is more malleable than aluminum, | | | | wheels off the vehicle, lay them flat on the |
| preventing chipping or breakage due to impact. | | | | ground, and measure the holes carefully, while |
| Consistent Composition | | | | looking straight down. |
| The stamped construction of steel wheels helps | | | | In Summation: |
| them to be more uniform and symmetrical, | | | | While the stylistic aspect of purchasing new Jeep |
| increasing structural integrity and reducing the | | | | or truck wheels is often the primary |
| likelihood of wobbling. | | | | consideration, it's important to not overlook |
| Longevity | | | | factors pertaining to performance. One should be |
| Steel wheels are less porous than aluminum | | | | wary of paying proper attention to upkeep and |
| wheels, allowing better resistance against dirt, | | | | selection before choosing a set of wheels, as the |
| sand, and brake depletion. | | | | wrong decision can significantly affect your vehicle |
| Value | | | | as well as your safety. Knowing the differences |
| Steel wheels are a great, inexpensive option that | | | | between steel, forged, and cast wheels, as well |
| can take a beating when going off-road. | | | | as correct procedures for sizing, maintenance, and |
| Forged Alloy Truck Wheels and Jeep Wheels: | | | | mounting are all crucial factors in getting the most |
| Aluminum forging utilizes heat and extreme | | | | out of your truck and Jeep wheels. |