What Wheels Fit a Wrangler?

There are many reasons to upgrade the wheels on your Wrangler. Whether you’re considering a new off-roading setup or just getting larger tires, you’ll need to know what wheel sizes will fit correctly.

Unfortunately, much like Wranglers, there’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation. Below we’ve collected all the data about what your Wrangler came stock with, what other Jeeps can swap wheels, and how much lift you’ll need to get the tire and wheel size of your dreams.

Jeep Wheel Cross Compatibility

Knowing what wheels your Wrangler came stock with is an important key to understanding cross-generation compatibility. You’ll also need to take careful note of your bolt pattern and lug size. These measurements will be key in selecting your next set of Wrangler wheels.

The YJ and TJ Wrangler are cross-compatible in terms of wheels, and so are the JK and JL Wrangler. If you’re upgrading from a JK Wrangler to a JL and already have a set of wheels that you love, there’s nothing stopping you from swapping them over.

Jeep’s wheel sizes remained fairly consistent across its vehicles. This means that if you’ve got a friend who’s selling wheels from their old Jeep Cherokee, they’ll likely be a great fit for your Wrangler.

Reasons to Upgrade Jeep Wheels

Even the stock Wrangler wheels are pretty great. But the stock wheels are geared towards a middle-of-the-road set of specifications. That means that you can pick up a Wrangler, drive it straight off the lot and have a pretty good ride whether you’re taking a highway home or checking out a beginner level off-roading trail.

This is wonderful, but in our experience, most Jeep Wrangler owners didn’t purchase an amazing off-roading vehicle just to stay in the middle-of-the-road. When you decide which direction you’d like to go in, you may need a different set of wheels to get there comfortably. Fortunately, there are Jeep Wrangler wheels for just about any imaginable purpose and taste.

Jeep Wheel Sizes

For the most part, people with Wranglers are interested in getting larger wheels and tires. A wheel that’s wider and has a larger diameter allows for a tire that’s similarly sized. That means a much wider patch of rubber meeting the terrain and providing valuable traction.

So, what’s limiting you from just going out and purchasing the largest wheel and tire set you can find? Well, a few things.

The first is that your Wrangler only has so much allowable wheel clearance. If you get a wheel/tire combo that exceeds that clearance, then you’ll have a hard time going anywhere. Installing a lift kit is a good way to increase your Wrangler’s wheel (and ground) clearance. Most serious off-roaders do eventually end up lifting their Jeep. So taking care of your lift kit and wheels together is a great way to ensure these pieces are compatible.

If you’re interested in a wider wheel but don’t care if it’s taller, then a set of wheel spacers will give you the additional space you need.

Taking care of your lift, wheels, and tires all at the same time has some major advantages, but the obvious disadvantage is cost. The larger the wheel, the more expensive it is, especially if you’re looking at a high-quality wheel. The same is true for tires and for lift kits. This means the difference between a 33-inch tire and a 35-inch tire could end up being a lot of expense for an extra two inches.

Like with most things tire and wheel related, the trick is finding a balance.

Below are the stock tires that each generation of Wrangler came stock with and how much allowable clearance you can expect. The wheels and tires for Wranglers have gotten larger over time, which means upgrading to a larger set of wheels is easier for more modern Wranglers.

YJ and TJ Wrangler Wheels

The YJ and TJ Wrangler generations came stock with 15 to 16-inch wheels. That means that you can easily go up to a 33-inch tire without modifying your suspension.

Though 33 inches is likely the maximum, most off-roaders with a YJ or TJ Wrangler admit they prefer a 31-inch tire if they’re using the stock suspension set up. This is because the wheels and tires need to flex in order to successfully off-road. If you go much larger, then the wheel size will exceed the clearance that you have.

If you have your heart set on a 33-inch tire but still plan to go off-roading, a one to two-inch leveling kit should be all you need. The additional height will prevent your tires from colliding with your wheel wells. That way you can flex on the trails and on the street.

With a leveling kit, you can actually run 35-inch tires if you’d like. But since this is a significant increase over the stock tire, there are other changes that may need to be made. Though it’s possible to find 35-inch tires that will fit a 15-inch wheel, it’s not recommended. You’ll end up with a lack of stability that will make road driving challenging and less enjoyable, even for a seasoned driver.

For 35-inch tires and larger, upgrading your wheel size is recommended. A wheel with a 17-inch diameter will suit this size tire much better than a 15-inch wheel will.

JK and JL Wrangler Wheels

JK and JL stock wheels are larger than previous Wrangler generations. This means you can easily upgrade to 33-inch or 35-inch tires without making many changes.

Most of the aftermarket options for JK and JL wheels are 17 inches, which is the same as the stock diameter. The width of these wheels is generally deeper though.

You can go up to a 22-inch wheel, or even larger if you don’t mind a sizable lift and significant offsetting.

Wrangler Wheel Features and Types

Even if you’re happy with your current wheel’s dimensions, there are a lot of reasons to consider an aftermarket set of wheels. The most obvious reason is that it’s an easy way to customize the look of your Wrangler.

While stock Jeep wheels are limited in selection, the aftermarket more than rises to the occasion. Though it’s hard to pick favorites from our selection of Jeep wheels, here are a few wheel categories that are perennial favorites.

Matte Wrangler Wheels

There are few things as striking as a matte-finished wheel. It can look industrial with a few well-selected lug nuts or look sleek and polished. One of the reasons that matte-finishes have become popular in recent years is that they’re a great addition to almost any look.

Different matte Jeep wheels have different focuses and objectives. From the complex and aggressive Fuel Assault Wheels to the simple Rockstar wheel, matte can look different depending on the execution. In particular, the spoke pattern and placement is allowed to shine.

Matte isn’t a finish that’s exclusive to black. There are Wrangler wheels available that mix and match colors. A matte bronze paired with matte black creates an off-roading look that honors the Jeep’s military heritage without looking hokey.

Jeep Dual-Drilled Wheels

If you have an older Wrangler but are considering upgrading in the next couple of years, you might have a hard time convincing yourself to find a set of wheels now.

Great news.

Some wheels come “dual-drilled.” What that means is you can use these wheels on your Wrangler right now and then when you get a new one, pop them off and transfer them. That way you get a great set of aftermarket wheels now and later.

Colorful Jeep Wheels

With all the color options available for popular Jeep accessories like D-rings and headlights, as well as the vast number of Jeep paint colors, it makes sense to pick out wheels that will blend in with the overall look you’re going for. Some wheels are mostly black with a hint of color, while others are vividly colored.

There are options ranging from bright blues and reds to muted bronzes and sand colors, that can assist with giving a Jeep the kind of camouflaged look that serves as a reminder of its military roots. Likewise, the spoke designs come in simple, traditional patterns as well as elaborate and aggressive ones.

For Jeep owners who are interested in customizing their Jeep so that it’s a truly personal expression, there are a large number of wheel options.

Beadlock-Look Wrangler Wheels

Actual beadlock wheels aren’t road-legal, but you can get beadlock-look wheels that are ready for off-roading and hitting the highway. Though these wheels don’t have the off-roading benefits of beadlocks, many of them are still geared towards off-roading.

These durable wheels look at home on or off the trail, and the beadlock-look is attractive and simple.

Cast Aluminum Wrangler Wheels

If you’re looking for a wheel material that balances cost, performance, and looks, then you may want to seriously consider cast aluminum wheels.

Wheels made of cast aluminum have several advantages. Not only are they lighter, but they’re also relatively durable.

Limiting your wheel selection to ones available in cast aluminum doesn’t cut your options much, and you’ll still have a wide selection of colors, textures, and spoke patterns.

Steel Jeep Wrangler Wheels

Though there are advantages to cast aluminum, and most wheels are now aluminum alloys, steel wheels are still popular. Though they’re heavier, it’s easy to repair steel wheels. They’re also more resistant to damage from the chemicals used to deice roads.

If you frequently drive in deep snow, then it may be worth it to consider a set of steel wheels. Although it does limit your selection some.

Wrangler Wheel Fitment

No matter which generation of Jeep Wrangler you drive, there are a number of wheel options. Whether you’re trying to get a rock-crawling advantage or maximize your MPG, new wheels can help optimize your build.

But, your new wheels can also be damaged pretty easily on the trail. Learn how to fix curb rash to keep your damaged wheels looking their best.

Once you’ve picked a set of wheels and tires, don’t forget to set up your tire pressure monitors. Then you can hit the streets or trails with pride, and without an annoying dash light.