Smaller/lighter wheels on 4xe?

[rpgonzalez]

Has anyone tried putting smaller wheels on the 4xe to try and increase range? I know the typical wrangler conversation is all about the 37” wheels! But since the 90’s when I started studying climate change blah blah blah you know the drill, Ive been driving civics, hybrids, electric cars etc. I grew up with trucks though, so the wrangler 4xe makes me very excited. I just want to ensure that I get as close 30 miles range as possible (my commute).

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[The Last Cowboy]

OEM Jeep wheels are among the lightest on the market. You will want to keep your tire height no less than 31.5”. I suppose you could spend a few hours looking for some slightly lighter wheels, but they will come at a significant premium. The smallest diameter wheels that will clear your brakes are 17”, so you are limited to that.

Look for tires with low rolling resistance in their description. A set of new Sport S take off Michelin or Bridgestone tires and wheels may be your best bet.

 

[rpgonzalez]

OEM Jeep wheels are among the lightest on the market. You will want to keep your tire height no less than 31.5”. I suppose tou could spend a few hours looking for some slightly lighter wheels, but they will come at a significant premium. The smallest diameter wheels that will clear your brakes are 17”, so you are limited to that.

Look for tires with low rolling resistance in their description. A set of new Sport S take off Michelin or Bridgestone tires and wheels may be your best best.

The OEM wheels are exactly what I had in mind. There is also an image of a 4xe with what looks Pacifica PHEV type wheels on it, but couldn’t find anything more.
The other thing is that the wife would scrape up the 20’s within a week.
As for LRR tires, I find very generally that higher mileage rated tires (harder compound?) work well enough on my Pacifica PHEV… but I still intend to go through some mud and snow

 

[Ratbert]

When looking at wheels:

• Light
• Cheap
• Strong

Pick any two.

 

[dougywarren]

What would be the overall weight of a 17” wheel with a 31.5” tire inflated to the OEM wheel and 275/55r20 tire? Seems like the difference would be small if any. My guess is a low rolling resistance tire at the OEM size would make the biggest difference, although the stock Bridgestone H/L Alenza are probably pretty low rolling resistance already. Do a search on Tirerack with Eco Focus and the Michelin LTX M/S2 ranks at the top

 

[rpgonzalez]

it is known at the tesla forums that 20’s on a model 3 vs the 18”s will cost you significant range. But the reason isn’t just weight. There is losing aerodynamics, changing tire type, going up in rim size (weight further from the center), and tire width. Members over there have lost 15% range.

I think the rubicon tires are costing range over the base model for some members here …. Seems like about 3-4 miles range? I can only guess due to tread pattern, maybe width? Or is there a difference in the differential/ gearing?

if we are speculating, I’m thinking with more aerodynamic wheels, smaller rims, more efficient tires, might get a 4xe to gain maybe 3 miles. lol. Now that I say it out loud, it sounds stupid.

 

[dragoneggs]

When looking at wheels:

• Light
• Cheap
• Strong

Pick any two.

Good advice.

 

[dragoneggs]

Higher gas mileage is obviously desirable however... it boils down to how you plan to use your Jeep and your priorities.

Sure you can make tire/wheel choices to move you one way or the other, Off vs. On road.

To me though, the 4XE is a bit too much of a compromise. Currently, seems to me, to realize the benefits of electric propulsion, you need a lightweight, aerodynamic design to start. Does that sound like a Jeep?

 

[rpgonzalez]

Higher gas mileage is obviously desirable however... it boils down to how you plan to use your Jeep and your priorities.

Sure you can make tire/wheel choices to move you one way or the other, Off vs. On road.

To me though, the 4XE is a bit too much of a compromise. Currently, seems to me, to realize the benefits of electric propulsion, you need a lightweight, aerodynamic design to start. Does that sound like a Jeep?

so very true. Buuut, I have these strong memories of off-roading with my dad though. CJ-7, Toyota 4x4, land cruiser, bronco. I would love to get back to that with my kids.

you’re right though. That being said,maybe someday 75% of the drive train can be cut out and replaced with an intelligent rear electric motor that will do better. Maybe not. Maybe Jeep’s need to be the vestige of true off-roading.

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