Newbie 2019 JLU Sahara - advice on wheels/tires

[BrownSuperman]

Hi there,

I have a 2019 JLU Sahara in Crystal Granite Gray, my first Wrangler and I love it.

I'm looking at upgrading wheels & tires, with the following caveats:

• Want to keep other items stock - no lift, maintain parking sensor and backup camera functionality
• Want to maintain on-road acceleration/handling, not planning on off-road but traveling dirt roads in summer
• Looking for more aggressive look on tires than stock but also want the car to look good in the city

I'm evaluating 3 wheel options:

1. Kahn 20" 1986 wheels - https://www.chelseatruckcompany.com/exterior/wheels/jeep-1986 approx. $475
2. Black Rhino Mint Matte Black Wheel - 20x10 -23mm Offset - https://www.extremeterrain.com/blac...matte-black-wheel-20x10-2010mnt-35127m78.html - $296
3. XD 818 Heist20 X9 5-127.00 18mm Offset BKMTBM - - https://www.discounttire.com/buy-wheels/xd-series-xd-818-heist/p/58573 $242

For tires I was going to go with CooperZeon LTZ 275 /55 R20 117S XL BSW

I've used this tool http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp which was very helpful but still have the following questions:

-Any feedback on wheel/tire sizes and quality I've picked, what do folks think about 18" wheels vs. 20"?
-Any places online that are good to purchase from? I live in the Seattle area and also don't mind paying a bit more to go in person and get great service?
-Should i buy 4 or 5 wheels? Can I use my stock spare in a pinch?

Anything else I'm missing or should consider?

Thanks!

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[lightsout]

Most here are going to tell you do not install 20's, the ride quality will suck, Sahara have such a great ride why ruin it. It also impacts the resale most people want Wranglers for the off road capabilities and 20's are not off road friendly.

I originally had XD wheels had to return them, was not impressed with the quality but highly recommend Discount tire, they took the XD's back and let me order any other wheel, and did all the remounting at no cost... Now I have Fuel wheels and could not be happier. Here is my Sahara with 18"x9.5" wheels although I do have 35"x12.5" tires and a 3.5" lift, You can get away with 33's with no lift.

I am also near Seattle, so Discount tire is the best option IMO, they will match or beat any online price and that way you have a local shop for warranty and service. Also checkout 4WP in Lynwood, they have a Wheel sale going on right now. I also went with Goodrich KO2 tires great quit ride with good NW all terrain tread.

You really should at least consider a 2" spacer lift. Les Schwab will do one for $400

If you are not doing any off road you can get by with a +20 or so offset and 12.5" tires and still be right at the edge of the fender flares, One other reason that lift helps especially here in WA you need to add mud flaps to manage the spray form wet roads and that lift gives you the extra clearance in the well.

Here are my original XD wheels with a 2" lift (pictured above is new Fuel wheels with 3.5" lift)

Here is the side view with my original XD that were +18 offset with 12.5" wide tires

 

[blnewt]

My JL 2 dr. no lift running 295/70/17s (about 33.5" high) on ATX Ravine17x8.5 +10, not aggressive at the fender but fit real well without a lift, and no rubbing on anything. Got a before shot to go with the afters. Gotta agree w/ Lightsout^^ 20s on anything under 35s will ride poor and not have much sidewall to get a good footprint/performance if you ever air down.

 

[lightsout]

If you are going to run 33's like Blnewt you should run 17" wheels like he did, there are also 34's available at 11" wide

 

[MTKMAN]

I’ve always had great luck with simpletire.com. They have been cheaper than discount tires direct every time.

I reccomend the 17 or 18 inch wheel, not 20’s. If it’s your first wrangler you might get later decide you want to do some light trails.

Lastly I’d order five so everything matches. If you’re putting this much thought and research into wheels and tires, you’re probably a meticulous dude and one that didn’t match the other four would drive you nuts.

 

[lightsout]

Note. if you buy Wheels online the local dealers will charge you a fortune to mount them (I leaned that lesson the hard-way a few years ago) since Discount matches or beats all online deals you cannot go wrong, had I purchased my 1st set of wheels online I would have been screwed. Also even if you do not see the wheel on Discounts website chances are they can still get it since most tire shops pull from the same distribution warehouses.

 

[BrownSuperman]

Thanks everyone, this is all very helpful info. I definitely love the current ride quality and based on the feedback here, I'm going to look at 17s and 18s.

I have purchased tires from Discount Tire several times. @lightsout your story about Discount Tire and the exchange has me sold on using them again. And your Jeep looks awesome!

I will do some research on other wheel sizes / tires. @MTKMAN you are right, I will order 5 and I probably will be tempted to do beginner trails.

I would do a lift but my garage at work is super tight, my antenna already touches. I guess I could park farther away

 

[MTKMAN]

@BrownSuperman if you’re considering 17s or 18s now I had 285/75R17s on my factory 17x7.5 wheels with no issues or rubbing. I do have a Moab so I have the an additional 1 inch of lift, from the Rubicon suspension, but I also had Ridge Grapplers that measure on the large size for 33’s (33.86 x 11.6). If you went with KO2s or another tire that measure on the small size you would achieve the same look.
I have since upgraded to the AEV Pintlers with 35 x 12.5s. You could also go that route with cheap spacers. The first picture is with the factory wheels and the Ridge Grapplers. The second is with 1.5 inches of lift and the MT 35s.

 

[lightsout]

For what it is worth if I was to do wheels and tires again I would buy 17" wheels, however that is strictly an off road decision as that size is better for airing down especially with 35's.

 

[Discount Tire]

BrownSuperman, I may be biased but I would agree with the others your local Discount Tire is an excellent choice for your tire/wheel package. They won't be undersold and they can special order wheels they don't stock. In addition if you have them installed there you will have free rotations and free life of the tire balance.

A popular size as mentioned is a 17 inch size for added comfort as well as being a better size for off-roading in case you get the bug to try your awesome Jeep off-road.

Lightsout, thank you for the shout out to your local Discount Tire store near Seattle. Great looking Jeep.

If we can be of assistance please shoot us a PM.

 

[lightsout]

BrownSuperman, I may be biased but I would agree with the others your local Discount Tire is an excellent choice for your tire/wheel package. They won't be undersold and they can special order wheels they don't stock. In addition if you have them installed there you will have free rotations and free life of the tire balance.

A popular size as mentioned is a 17 inch size for added comfort as well as being a better size for off-roading in case you get the bug to try your awesome Jeep off-road.

Lightsout, thank you for the shout out to your local Discount Tire store near Seattle. Great looking Jeep.

If we can be of assistance please shoot us a PM.

I would like to shout out to the crew at the Marysville Discount tire, the service was amazing, and when I had the issue with my XD wheels there was no resistance only problem solving. While buying on the internet can be a good thing, for tire and wheels I will pass Discount Tire has earned my business in the future.

 

[Discount Tire]

I would like to shout out to the crew at the Marysville Discount tire, the service was amazing, and when I had the issue with my XD wheels there was no resistance only problem solving. While buying on the internet can be a good thing, for tire and wheels I will pass Discount Tire has earned my business in the future.

At Discount Tire we know there are many choices when it comes to tires and wheels these days. We appreciate you choosing Discount tire.

 

[BrownSuperman]

I would like to shout out to the crew at the Marysville Discount tire, the service was amazing, and when I had the issue with my XD wheels there was no resistance only problem solving. While buying on the internet can be a good thing, for tire and wheels I will pass Discount Tire has earned my business in the future.

@lightsout - Do you mind sharing what the issue was with the XD wheels?

I like the Black Rhino Mint wheels (same style as XD 818 Heist) but Black Rhino doesn't make that style any more in the size/offset I'm looking for.

any other recommended high quality wheel brands? ​

 

[lightsout]

@lightsout - Do you mind sharing what the issue was with the XD wheels?

I like the Black Rhino Mint wheels (same style as XD 818 Heist) but Black Rhino doesn't make that style any more in the size/offset I'm looking for.

any other recommended high quality wheel brands? ​

the XD wheels had these fins and you would replace and change out I had a black set and a chrome set.

It was the bolts on the perimeter that were poorly threaded and were coming loose (great concept poor execution). The wheels were fine except for that however I did not want to deal with a new set that might have the same issue so I switched to the Fuels.

Note if you order with Discount tire and when you et them mounted if you do not like them they will take them off and order a different wheel for you, another benefit of D/T

 

[BrownSuperman]

@lightsout 1 more question What brand/model are your side steps / rock sliders? they look great and kid friendly.

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