Best Jeep Wheels

Much like the 2-door vs 4-door debate, deciding on which material is best for your Jeep wheels comes with a laundry list of pros and cons. Starting with steel, the older of the two, these wheels are renowned for their trail strength. Steel is hard to bend in most situations except for extreme cold. We’re talking -22 degrees Fahrenheit (or -30 Celsius) before it’s prone to shattering (at the weakest alloy). Unfortunately, steel is prone to rust if you chip the paint. Aluminum, although weaker, can’t rust. It can oxidize, but that’s not nearly as debilitating as rust. Aluminum is also lighter, making them easier to balance but also putting less strain on your drivetrain. Once coated in mud and grime, your rig won’t feel as bogged down as it would with steel wheels.

The best wheel size is mostly subjective, but there are some staple, go-to sizes. 33s, 35s, and 37s. 33s aren’t that much bigger than stock for most Jeeps, but for non-lifted rigs, 33s fill out your wheel wells better. As far as trail performance goes, 33s don’t provide any improvement. 35s, on the other hand, is one of the most popular size upgrades. You will need a couple of inches of lift the run them without issue, but the resulting articulation provides a nice boost on more complicated trails. 35s also open up your tire selection. 37s are more common on 4-door Jeeps because of the looks and wheelbase, but you’ll need more suspension upgrades to run them.